Miniaturization is a progressive trend - it is worth looking at the development of computers. Many years ago, they took the form of huge boxes, then shrunk to laptops to eventually become smartphones. Nowadays, even desktop computers have become so small that you can hide them in your pocket. Such as, for example, Intel Compute Stick.

It is a miniature computer in the form of a USB flash drive. The device is packaged in a housing made of durable and matte plastic. Parts of the case have holes through which you can see the fan. The case also contains two full-size USB ports (one 3.0), a microUSB power port, an HDMI connector, and a microSD card slot.

The equipment is quite large in size, namely 113 x 38 x 12 mm. For this reason, after you connect it to your TV, you will block the other HDMI input. But Intel has taken this into account, and the mini computer is equipped with an HDMI expander that eliminates this problem. It also allows you to hide the Intel Compute Stick behind your TV.

The Intel Compute Stick is a multimedia-enabled device. In practice, however, Windows 10 is poorly controlled on the TV screen and the OS is not very convenient in this regard, even if you have a corresponding multimedia keyboard with a built-in touchpad.

The system interface doesn't look very good on big screen. Individual components and the system fonts are too small. On the other hand, using standard programs or a web browser on a TV screen is an ordeal of patience.

This device admittedly can't handle the latest games, but is ideal for streaming at home. My desktop computer is located a few meters from the TV, in another room. For this reason, I have a PlayStation 4 in my living room, which is much more convenient to use.

With high-speed Wi-Fi 802.11 communication, the Intel Compute Stick allowed me to enjoy the best graphics without the need to carry a PC. This solution is much cheaper than the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One.

Outcome

The Intel Compute Stick is a device that will work great in many situations, but useless in most others. If we exclude the fact that you do not need to carry your computer and connect it to an external screen in the hotel. I prefer to have a laptop that I use in every situation.

Intel Compute Stick is a great solution for streaming games to another screen in excellent quality.

Such equipment is characterized by low performance, but quite sufficient for office work. And if you consider that the processor power is still too low, you can always wait a few weeks before release next version Compute Stick equipped with a powerful Intel Core M processor. Unfortunately, its price is likely to be noticeably higher than $ 200-250.

Microcomputers are different - really "micro" and slightly larger, not very productive and generally not very suitable for anything other than surfing the Internet. A whole mass belongs to this species today. various devices with different capabilities and purposes, but it is not easy to find a model that is powerful enough in its class among the seeming variety. It is even more difficult to find such a PC in Russia. The models that are on the market today, for the most part, are just the same only for surfing the Internet and watching movies with far from the highest resolution. Intel decided to correct the situation by releasing a microcomputer based on its own hardware platform. We are talking about the Intel Bay Trail platform in the Intel Bay Trail-T version, intended primarily for tablet computers, but successfully used in many other devices. The new microcomputer has everything from Intel - both design and filling. Well, who, if not Intel itself, knows better in what form factor and with what functionality must there be a device on an Intel hardware platform?

⇡ Contents of delivery

The device is shipped in a compact corporate blue cardboard box for Intel. Inside, in addition to the microcomputer itself, the following accessories were found:

• HDMI cable
• USB cable ↔ Micro-USB;
• power adapter with a set of four plugs of different standards;
• short printed user manual;
• McAfee Antivirus Annual Subscription Activation Card.

We will get acquainted with the purpose of accessories in more detail a little later, but for now we will consider the technical characteristics of the new item.

⇡ Specifications

Intel Compute Stick
CPU	Intel Atom Z3735F, 4 × 1.33 GHz (1.83 GHz), 2 MB L3
Graphics controller	Intel HD Graphics
RAM	2 GB DDR3L-1333 (667 MHz) (soldered on the board)
Storage System	1 × eMMC 5.0 32 GB, Samsung MBG4GC
Flash card slot	microSDXC
	1 × USB 2.0 Type A 1 × Micro-USB (power supply only) 1 × HDMI 1.4a
Wi-Fi	802.11 b / g / n
Bluetooth	4.0
Sound	Intel High Definition Audio
Nutrition	Power adapter 5V, 2W; By USB
Size, mm	104 × 38 × 13
Weight, g	54
Operating system	Windows 8.1 with Bing 32-bit
Official manufacturer's warranty, month	12
Estimated price *, rub.	10 500

* Average price for Yandex.Market at the time of this writing.

The microcomputer is available in two versions - with different OS: Ubuntu 14.04 LTS and Windows 8.1 with Bing. We got the second option for testing. Interestingly, the manufacturer slightly deprived the version of the Intel Compute Stick microcomputer running Ubuntu, providing it with smaller volumes. random access memory and disk subsystem and making it cheaper. As for the second version of this device, which came to our test lab, its OS has a 32-bit kernel. But the word Bing in the title means little to the user, except that this not the most popular search engine is built into Internet browser Explorer. If you want - use it, and if you do not want - any other.

Processor and Chipset Information

As mentioned above, the Intel Compute Stick microcomputer is based on the Intel Bay Trail-T platform with a quad-core Intel Atom Z3735F, which belongs to the second generation of processors for this platform, which were released last spring and are being developed on the 22-nanometer Silvermont architecture. This processor is one of the most inexpensive in the line, and therefore has a minimum clock speed, which in the nominal operating mode is 1.33 GHz and can be increased to 1.83 GHz in turbo mode. The L2 cache is 2 MB. The processor belongs to a very economical model. The SDP (Scenario Design Power), which is the level of average power consumption during everyday work, for it is only 2.2 watts. Obviously, most often an active cooling system is not required for this processor, but in the case of the Intel Compute Stick, it is still implemented.

In general, there are many more interesting models in the Intel Bay Trail-T family of processors. Why the manufacturer chose the Intel Atom Z3735F, which has a number of serious limitations regarding RAM, video output and other interfaces, is not clear. Most likely, this was done for economic reasons, because a more productive device will cost more, which means that the consumer circle will be completely different.

Memory information

One of the most important limitations of the Intel Atom Z3735F processor is that it has a single-channel RAM controller, the maximum amount of which is not four, like other processor modifications, but two gigabytes. This is exactly how much is soldered to motherboard Intel Compute Stick. The DDR3L-1333 module is used, that is, the highest possible frequency for the Intel Atom Z3735F. The amount of RAM in the microcomputer is small, but its modification with Ubuntu differs even less - only 1 GB.

Integrated video adapter information

The Intel Atom Z3735F processor has an integrated Intel HD Graphics with four execution units, operating at a base clock frequency of 311 MHz and, if necessary, capable of overclocking to 646 MHz. We have already familiarized ourselves with this video adapter more than once, but it has different operating frequencies for different processors, so it will be possible to speak about the performance and capabilities of Intel HD Graphics only after testing. We only add that in this case the video adapter works with a resolution of no higher than 1920 × 1080 pixels, that is, Full HD, while other processors of the Intel Bay Trail-T family can output an image with a 4K resolution.

The disk subsystem of the microcomputer is represented by the Samsung MBG4GC eMMC module with a capacity of 32 GB (29.0 GB available). The disk is represented by one working partition with a capacity of 22.55 GB, on which the operating system is installed. The rest of the volume is dedicated to service information and the recovery partition. As in the case of RAM, there is a strong desire to at least double the capacity of the built-in disk subsystem of the Intel Compute Stick, but, alas, this is not possible. Well, the modification of the microcomputer with Ubuntu has an eMMC module with a capacity of only 8 GB. In this case, nothing but a video player and a couple of other utilities will simply not fit on this disc. We'll have to use flash cards, because the Intel Compute Stick has a microSDXC reader.

A single USB port is provided for connecting external drives and other devices on board the microcomputer. The fact that the port is the only one is easily explained by the lack of free space on board the novelty. In addition, the manufacturer has placed not a reduced, but a full-sized version of the USB port of type A. If necessary, you will have to use a USB hub, which, by the way, can be the video panel itself, to which the Compute Stick will be connected. But the fact that the USB interface of the Intel Compute Stick has a specification not 3.0, but 2.0, should be counted among the shortcomings in which the processor used is again to blame. While other models in the Intel Bay Trail-T family have an integrated USB 3.0 controller, Intel processor The Atom Z3735F only works with the 2.0 bus.

The Intel Compute Stick has a common set of wireless communications. The Realtek RTL8723BS module is installed on board, providing Wi-Fi communication of the 802.11 b / g / n standard and Bluetooth 4.0. As for the sound, the new product is broadcast via the HDMI interface - no separate connectors are provided in the device. Power is supplied via USB, for which there is an additional Micro-USB port on board, which can be connected either to one of the USB ports of the video panel, or to the power adapter supplied.

⇡ Appearance

The Intel Compute Stick looks like a regular flash drive, only not too compact and with an HDMI interface instead of USB. The device fits into your pocket without any problems, so if you wish, you can use one computer at work, at home, in the country, and with friends. But on the road, you won't be able to work with it - you don't have to carry a monitor with you.

The body of the novelty is made of black plastic and consists of two halves. The bottom and side faces have a rough surface, but top panel made lacquered. Naturally, it instantly attracts fingerprints and dust, and then the first scratches will appear on it. The user can compensate for the extremely impractical decision of the manufacturer only by not removing the protective plastic film from the gloss or sticking his own.

The main interface of the device - HDMI video output - is located on one of the narrow side edges. Since the case of the microcomputer is still not quite "micro", without a short extension cable from the delivery set, connecting it to the video panel can be quite problematic.

All other Intel Compute Stick interfaces are located on the long side edges. On the one hand are USB ports 2.0 and Micro-USB, a power control button, as well as a loop for attaching some kind of lanyard or cable to ensure the safety of the device if the video panel with it is placed in a public place. On the other side of the case, there is only a microSDXC memory card reader. As for the lacquered top panel, there is a blue LED power indicator and two large ventilation windows, behind one of which is a miniature fan. Small ventilation holes also bear the side edges.

⇡

The manufacturer does not assume that the user will open the plastic case of the device, since there are no replaceable parts inside it. Nevertheless, it was not difficult to disassemble the novelty. The entire internal space is occupied by the motherboard, which is closed by a composite aluminum radiator... The huge USB Type A port looks like something from another world here - strange and archaic. However, its presence is an undoubted advantage of the design, so you shouldn't find fault.

The compact fan is fixed to the case cover and connected to the motherboard connector with a long and very thin wire. The fan casing has blank walls on three sides resting on the ribs of the cover. And only that side face of it, which faces the radiator, as well as the bottom plane are open for the intake of heated air.

⇡ Testing

To compare the performance of the Intel Compute Stick, we used the test results of one of the contemporaries of this device that visited our laboratory - the ECS LIVA X model. It is not as compact, but still a mini-PC, which is based on the Intel Bay Trail-M platform with a dual-core processor. Intel Celeron N2808 operating at a frequency of 1.58 to 2.25 GHz. It has 4 GB of DDR3L-1333 memory soldered on the motherboard and the same as the Intel Compute Stick, the integrated graphics core Intel HD Graphics with only one difference - the maximum core frequency is not 646, but 792 MHz. The disk subsystem of these PCs is also similar. At ECS LIVA X, it is represented by the Toshiba THGBMBG9D8KBAIG eMMC module with a capacity of 64 GB.

⇡ Performance

Unfortunately, it is not possible to carry out full testing according to our traditional method in the case of the Intel Compute Stick. The thing is that some of the test packages, such as CINEBENCH R15 or the fpFlac encoder, are designed to work only in a 64-bit environment, and our microcomputer has a 32-bit version of Windows 8.1. Testing in Adobe photoshop CS6 failed to complete due to insufficient disk storage, although the Intel Compute Stick has enough resources for the program to function. However, to evaluate the performance, even the part of the tests that ended successfully is sufficient.

Despite the lower clock speed of the processor and half the amount of RAM compared to ECS LIVA X, the Intel Compute Stick demonstrated performance almost identical to that of its larger competitor. In some tests, the ECS LIVA X minicomputer took the lead, and in others it was slightly outperformed by the Intel Compute Stick microcomputer, but this difference is completely insignificant. But the dimensions of today's guest of the test laboratory are several times smaller than those of ECS LIVA X, which in itself gives rise to thought.

In general, the performance and capabilities of the new product are sufficient both for solving office tasks and for creating a home entertainment center based on this device, which allows you to watch movies in Full HD, listen to music and even work with various multimedia programs. The only thing that is upsetting is the critically small amount of RAM, which simply physically does not allow the user to work with several programs at the same time. It remains only to fantasize about what this tiny device could be capable of, if a slightly more powerful processor from the same Intel Bay Trail-T family was built into it, working with 4 GB of RAM in dual-channel mode and allowing to display an image with a resolution of up to 4 K.

Of course, the capabilities of the integrated Intel HD Graphics are completely insufficient for games. Due to slightly lower operating frequencies graphics core in 3DMark, the Intel Compute Stick lagged slightly behind its larger competitor. Let's go back for a minute to the previous "if only ...": older versions of Intel Atom Z37x5 processors have an integrated video adapter with a core frequency of up to 792 MHz, like the ECS LIVA X processor, which would give the Intel microcomputer the opportunity to equalize the results, and maybe even break out forward. But that is what it is. However, the gaming capabilities of both ECS LIVA X and Intel Compute Stick are still suitable only for sitting at simple Internet strategies or some digital board games - and nothing more.

In addition to tests using the traditional method for laptops and PCs, we conducted several additional studies for the Intel Compute Stick. The first concerns its disk subsystem, represented by the eMMC 5.0 module. The test results in specialized programs ATTO Disk Bemchmark and CrystalDiskMark differ, but not much. The drive demonstrates not fantastic, but quite decent performance for its class, which is significantly higher than that of most 2.5-inch hard drives, but lower than that of modern SSD modules.

An important role for such a compact device with a small amount of disk space and no wired network adapter playing speed wireless transmission data, and therefore we decided to check the performance of the built-in Wi-Fi module. Dual-band took part in testing Netgear router WNDR3800 connected via a wired gigabit interface to test bench with an Atheros AR8151 controller serving as an endpoint. Testing was carried out within the same room. The data transfer rate was 45-60 Mbit / s, which can be assessed as a completely acceptable result. Such performance is sufficient not only for simple data transfer, but also for broadcasting streaming video.

⇡ Cooling system

As a rule, microcomputers, and most other devices based on the economical Intel Bay Trail processors, have a passive cooling system, but Intel decided to do otherwise. The Intel Compute Stick has its own active system with a miniature fan and an aluminum heatsink that covers most of the electronic components on the motherboard. With an insignificant load on the processor and video core, the fan remains at rest, but even when it is running, the noise is not heard. It's hard to say what will happen in a year active use but, as long as it's new, this fan can be called one of the quietest.

Evaluation of the efficiency of the cooling system was carried out in stress tests of the AIDA64 package. During testing, the device was placed on the side of a monitor in a room with a temperature of about 21 ° C. The processor demonstrated stable operation, although the maximum frequency - 1.83 GHz - was never seen. The highest recorded frequency was 1.58 GHz, and the temperature during operation did not exceed 65 ° C. No throttling was observed when booting all systems.

⇡ Pre-installed software

The microcomputer is supplied without any preinstalled proprietary software other than drivers and utilities for hardware components. As for the Bing search engine, then, as mentioned above, the user is still free to choose which search engine and which Internet browser to use, so be intimidated by the word Bing in Windows versions 8.1 is not worth it.

⇡ conclusions

On the one hand, the Intel Compute Stick sets a new level of performance for this type of device. On the other hand, the potential of the hardware platform embedded in it is not fully realized in the device. In fact, the level of performance and capabilities of the new item could have been even higher, but for economic reasons, obviously, the manufacturer decided to limit itself to not the most powerful processor from the very extensive Intel Bay Trail-T family.

Of course, Intel Compute Stick is not alone in its kind, and everyone, if they wish, will find a dozen Chinese counterparts well-known trading platforms... But make no mistake when choosing! There are microcomputers on various low-performance platforms, and there are on the Intel Bay Trail, to which the hero of our today's review belongs. Despite its modest size, the Intel Compute Stick has the same capabilities as a laptop or desktop PC. entry level... Among the shortcomings, in addition to the already repeatedly mentioned processor with limited functionality, we can note the small volume of the built-in eMMC-drive and the completely impractical lacquer coating of the upper part of the case.

Despite the shortcomings, the new product makes a very good impression and makes you think about the future of the PC in general, because the Intel Compute Stick is a full-fledged Windows PC with a very wide range of uses. So, the novelty can be successfully used as a home multimedia center and at the same time not complain about being too slow when working. It can be purchased as a PC for presentations and various kinds of field sessions. Well, for completely undemanding users who need a full-fledged, but not productive PC, the Intel Compute Stick model can become the main device, which, moreover, can be easily carried around in your pocket.

Lenovo Ideacentre Stick 300, Archos PC Stick, ECS PCoS and others, the cost of which promises to be 20-40% less than Intel Compute Stick. At the same time, the hardware component of these microcomputers absolutely completely repeats the one with which we met today. You should not expect that after all the above-mentioned pocket PCs enter the Russian market, the cost of Intel Compute Stick will drop to six thousand rubles (this is exactly how much it is planned to sell Archos PC Stick), but if it drops by at least one and a half to two thousand, it will already be good ...

Last year we met with a couple of very interesting devices - microcomputers Intel Compute Stick and Modecom FreePC, which appearance they resemble either very large "flash drives", or CDMA modems with a USB interface. For all their unusualness, these products are full-fledged PCs that work under the control of the usual operating Microsoft systems Windows and are designed to handle a wide variety of day-to-day tasks that are not resource intensive. Meanwhile, despite the bold idea, both of its practical implementations, which we considered, turned out to be not without drawbacks. Not surprisingly, the ancestor of this class of devices, Intel, has introduced a new version of the Compute Stick STK1AW32SC microcomputer based on the Atom x5-Z8300 single-chip system.

Compared to previous generation product STCK1A32WFC new model received a number of improvements, including in terms of expansion options, but retained an equally attractive retail price. Whether the newcomer managed to get rid of the "bottlenecks" of its predecessor - we will find out in the process of today's review, but for now I suggest that you familiarize yourself with the technical characteristics of the devices.

Model		Intel Compute Stick STCK1A32WFC
Official product page	intel.com	intel.com
CPU	Intel Atom x5-Z8300 (1.44 GHz, SDP 2W, 4 cores, 4 threads)	Intel Atom Z3735F (1.33 GHz, SDP 2.2 W, 4 cores, 4 threads)
RAM	2 GB DDR3L-RS SDRAM 1600 MHz	2 GB DDR3L-RS SDRAM 1333 MHz
Video card	Intel HD Graphics	Intel HD Graphics
Disk subsystem		eMMC 32 GB, 1x microSDXC UHS-I (up to 128 GB)
I / O ports	1x HDMI 1.4b, 1x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0	1x HDMI 1.4a, 1x USB 2.0
Sound subsystem	Intel HD Audio	Intel HD Audio
Communications	1x Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7265 (IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n + ac, Bluetooth V4.0)	1x Realtek RTL8723BS (IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n, Bluetooth V4.0)
Power Supply	External 15 W (5 V, 3 A)	External 10 W (5 V, 2 A)
Dimensions, mm	113x38x12	103.4x37.6x12.5
Pre-installed OS	Windows 10 Home	Windows 8.1 with Bing (free upgrade to Windows 10)
Recommended cost, $	139	139

Contents of delivery

The Intel Compute Stick that arrived at our test lab turned out to be an engineering prototype designed to demonstrate the technical capabilities of the product. Therefore, the design and shape of the shipping carton may differ significantly for retail copies.

On the reverse side instead of technical characteristics describes the main advantage of the Compute Stick: the ability to turn any monitor or TV with HDMI input into a full-fledged, ready-to-use one Personal Computer.

In addition to the device itself, the package includes:

• user guide;
• network adapter;
• HDMI extension cable.

In general, the newcomer's set of accessories is not much different from that of last year's model, with the only difference that the complete WA-15105R AC adapter, providing 15 W (5 V, 3 A) output power, is equipped with a non-removable cable with a micro-USB connector type "B", while the previous generation product supplied the cable separately from the power supply.

Design

Intel Compute Stick 2016, like its predecessor, is made in the HDMI Dongle format, that is, the device is installed in a free HDMI connector of a digital monitor or TV, but power is supplied from an external network adapter. In the event that the TV is located close to the wall, a complete HDMI extension cable will come to the rescue. The microcomputer case is made of plastic, its dimensions are 113x38x12 mm. Compared to the 2015 model, the height and width have not changed, while the length has increased by 10 mm. On the top cover of the device, two groups of ventilation holes are visible, through one of them you can see a miniature fan of the active cooling system. There is also a power indicator and the Intel Inside logo.

On the back there is a place for a sticker on which retail copies will have service information, including the name of the model and its serial number, as well as a hole plugged with a rubber stopper. There is a screw under it that holds the halves of the case.

At one end of the miniature PC, there is an HDMI 1.4b connector, designed to display images in 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second. There is no official support for 4K, due to the hardware limitations of the platform used.

On the right side of the device there is a slot for microSDXC memory cards that supports UHC-I flash drives up to 128 GB, and a pair of small ventilation holes.

The left side of the newcomer carries USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 type "A" connectors, a micro-USB port for power supply, a power button and slots for fresh air supply to the cooling system.

After opening the case, the internal structure of the Compute Stick becomes visible. Most of the surface area printed circuit board occupies a radiator that removes heat from the single-chip system.

The efficiency of the cooling system was a pleasant surprise; in the mode of maximum simultaneous load on the processor cores and the integrated video card, the temperature did not exceed 81 ° C, no signs of overheating and the inclusion of the clock skipping mode were noticed. The noise emitted by the cooler can be characterized as insignificant, which did not stand out against the general background of the living space.

Under the heatsink lies the "heart" of the microcomputer - SoC Intel Atom x5-Z8300, which is one of the versions of the economical Braswell platform, which has found application in nettops and low-end embedded solutions. This 14nm single-chip system has four processing cores based on the energy-efficient Silvermont microarchitecture. Among the expansion options Intel Atom x5-Z8300 added support for USB 3.0 and PCI Express bus, the presence of which could not boast of the Atom Z3735F, which is the basis of the previous generation Compute Stick. But, as in the case of its predecessor, the maximum amount of RAM of the novelty is limited by the capabilities of the platform, which is why the microcomputer is equipped with only 2 GB of DDR3L-RS RAM, operating in single-channel mode at a frequency of 1600 MHz. If we compare the computing capabilities of the Atom x5-Z8300 and the Atom Z3735F, then, with the exception of a finer technological process, the difference between them is quite small. The volumes of the cache memory of the first and second levels have not changed, the Turbo Boost clock speed has remained at the same mark of 1840 MHz, while in the standard mode the increase is noticeable from 1330 to 1440 MHz. Both SoCs support SSE4.1, SSE4.2 SIMD instruction sets, 64-bit computing, AES encryption acceleration, and VT-x hardware virtualization. When it comes to energy efficiency, the Atom x5-Z8300's SDP is just 2W of power consumption in typical user scenarios, not least thanks to EIST technology, which reduces clock speeds and voltages when idle.

Much more significant changes have taken place in the part of the integrated Intel HD Grahics graphics card. For Atom x5-Z8300, the number of execution units (EU - Execution Units) in comparison with the Atom Z3735F video subsystem has tripled - from four to 12 pieces, and the EUs themselves received an 8th generation microarchitecture. API DirectX 11 and OpenGL 4.2 are supported, and the clock frequency, depending on the load, can range from 200 to 500 MHz.

As for video decoding acceleration, the hardware processing unit supports most of the popular formats, including VC-1, H.264 and HEVC in resolutions up to 4K inclusive. This information is fully confirmed by the DXVA Checker diagnostic utility, and in practice Intel Compute Stick 2016 was able to play video in 3840x2160 resolution at 60 frames / s.

The single-chip support for the PCI Express 2.0 x1 interface made it possible to equip the device with a high-speed wireless adapter Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7265, which provides operation in Wi-Fi networks of IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n + ac standards and Bluetooth V4.0 protocol. This allowed us to double the bandwidth of the network connection: from 6 to 12 MB / s.

Wireless bandwidth Intel Compute Stick STK1AW32SC (left) and Intel Compute Stick STCK1A32WFC (right)

The disk subsystem is represented by a 32 GB SanDisk DF4032 SSD connected to a single-chip system via an eMMC 5.0 interface. In terms of speed, compared to the Samsung MBG4GC solid-state drive, which was equipped with last year's Compute Stick, the difference is small: the newcomer is slightly faster in linear read and write operations, while the predecessor has a slight advantage when working with small files.

Disk pod performance Intel systems Compute Stick STK1AW32SC (left) and Intel Compute Stick STCK1A32WFC (right)

Thus, the main improvements in new version The Compute Stick touches on a wireless adapter and integrated graphics, as well as an additional USB 3.0 port. We will find out very soon how the use of the new Atom x5-Z8300 single-chip system affected the speed of the Intel microcomputer, but now let's take a look at UEFI Setup and the complete newbie software.

UEFI Setup

Despite its diminutive size, the Intel Compute Stick STK1AW32SC is equipped with a full-fledged UEFI Setup. The setup menu is clear and simple graphical interface, and the number of options available for change is reduced to a minimum. The Main section displays information about the version of the control microcode, the SoC model and its mode of operation, as well as the date and time.

The System Identification Information submenu displays detailed information about the device, including its name, serial number, and hardware version.

The Configuration tab is responsible for the activity of additional controllers and expansion ports, as well as boot parameters, including managing the Secure Boot function.

Finally, in the Exit section, you can apply the change to the UEFI Setup settings, as well as restore the default values.

As you can see, the Intel Compute Stick firmware is completely devoid of any speed control options, but offers all the necessary features for administration and basic setting microcomputer.

Complete software

As for the software component of the Intel Compute Stick, there are two versions of it: STK1A32SC without operating system, and STK1AW32SC, equipped with 32-bit Windows 10 Home, which we visited in our test lab. Alas, the system had problems with activation, which is quite acceptable for a pre-sale engineering sample, especially since this fact did not in any way affect the stability and efficiency of its work.

Meanwhile, the presence of the operating system made it possible to assess the use of disk space, which is especially important with such a small amount of SSD, which the device is equipped with. As it turned out, of the 27.8 GB allocated for the system partition, Windows 10 Home, along with a set of drivers, takes up 10.2 GB, so a modest 17.6 GB remains available to users.

However, even they were enough to install an office suite and a set of test software, and if necessary, the Compute Stick can be equipped with a micro SDXC memory card or connected external storage with USB 3.0 interface. And, of course, there is always the possibility of using network storage, for example, cloud service Microsoft OneDrive, which offers every registered user 15 GB for free.

In addition to the necessary drivers, the Compute Stick offers only one thing, but very useful application- Intel Remote Keyboard, noticeably improving the usability of the microcomputer. This program allows you to turn a smartphone or tablet running Android or iOS operating system and located with a Compute Stick into one Wi-Fi networks into the touch keyboard and mouse.

To work on mobile device you will need to install a special application from Google play or App Store, go through the pairing procedure, after which you can enjoy full control of the microcomputer without using traditional keyboards and mice.

In general, there are no questions about the software component, in any case, the Intel Compute Stick microcomputer is not overloaded with unnecessary software, which only takes up precious space on system disk and the only one third party program- Intel Remote Keyboard is really useful and easy to use.

Test results

In performance tests, the Intel Compute Stick competed with the previous generation device. Such a comparison will answer the question: is there a big difference in performance and is there any point in hunting for a new model? Before testing, Microsoft Windows 10 Home operating systems on both microcomputers were restored to their original state, after which no performance adjustments were made. The following software was used to evaluate the speed of work:

• Futuremark PCMark 8 v2.5.419;
• TouchXPRT2014;
• WebXPRT 2013 ( Microsoft Edge);
• Futuremark 3DMark v1.5.915.

Each of the tests was repeated at least three times, based on the results of which the arithmetic mean was calculated. If any of the results differed markedly from the other two, testing continued. For convenience, on the graphs, the new model STK1AW32SC is designated as Intel Compute Stick (2016), and the product of the previous generation STCK1A32WFC is designated Intel Compute Stick (2015), respectively.

Tests in the popular complex Futuremark PCMark 8 benchmark, which measures the overall level of performance in basic user scenarios, were carried out in Accelerated mode, which allows you to use OpenCL acceleration. The 2016 model showed noticeably better performance in the Home and Creative scenarios, obviously due to a more productive video core, while in the Work subtest the situation turned out to be exactly the opposite: the newcomer lagged behind noticeably and the reason for this was the low results in the LibreOffice program, obviously due to incompatibility with Intel Atom x5-Z8300 processor.

Unlike the previous benchmark, the TouchXPRT2014 test suite is more focused on measuring productivity when performing multimedia tasks: processing digital images, converting Full HD video content, mixing audio tracks, and creating animated presentations. In this case, the key role is played by the clock frequency of the computing cores, and since it is equal for both participants, their identical results were not surprising.

To evaluate the speed of working with web applications in the Microsoft Edge browser, which is the main one for Windows 10, we ran the WebXPRT 2013 online benchmark. In this case, the Compute Stick 2016 turned out to be noticeably faster than its predecessor.

In the Futuremark 3DMark gaming test suite in the Sky diver scenario, one of the main advantages of Intel's new microcomputer - a powerful graphics subsystem - has more than doubled the average score of the previous generation model, and when physical effects are accelerated by computing cores, the advantage is reduced to 20%.

In the subtest Cloud gate from the Futuremark 3DMark Compute Stick 2016 is also ahead of its ancestor, although the victory is not as impressive as in the previous case. The gains ranged from 60% overall to 100% in terms of the graphics subsystem score, while in the Physics test track, both devices showed very similar results.

conclusions

As expected, the 2016 Intel Compute Stick turned out to be much more interesting than the previous generation product, primarily due to the use of the advanced Intel Atom x5-Z8300 SoC. bandwidth a wireless adapter, which became possible due to the appearance of the SoC support for the PCI Express 2.0 bus, and an increase in the speed of the graphics subsystem, which should now be enough not only for casual projects, but also for games of 5 years ago. Also, one cannot fail to note the appearance of a second USB 3.0 port for connecting a variety of peripherals, which significantly enriches the device's expandability. The most pleasant impression was left by the well-thought-out cooling system, which does not allow the processor to overheat even under the most intense load. As for power consumption, no measurements were taken, but it's safe to say that the updated Intel Compute Stick fits into 15 W, which is provided by the bundled power supply. In short, in some aspects, progress is evident, which cannot but rejoice.

At the same time, compared to its predecessor, the volume of the built-in storage and the size of the RAM have not changed, and the long-awaited support for 4K image output has not appeared. However, there is a reasonable explanation for this: in an effort to provide a low recommended cost, which for the Compute Stick in 2016 is set at $ 139 for the version with Windows 10 Home, the manufacturer is forced to use a budget SoC with limited capabilities and tough to save on other components. But even in this configuration, the microcomputer is excellent for use as a home multimedia entertainment center, and in the business sphere, the Compute Stick can be used for organizing an information board, a self-service kiosk, and also as a thin client or an entry-level workplace. So, there is no requirement from the microcomputer for anything more. And for those who still want to get the speed of a full-fledged PC in the HDMI Dongle form factor, Intel has prepared a real gift: a Compute Stick based on energy-efficient Skylake processors with double the amount of RAM and solid state drive... But, this is a completely different story!

In recent years, the performance growth rate of Intel processors has slowed markedly, but significant progress has been made in the area of ​​reducing power consumption and improving characteristics such as performance per watt. The result has been a noticeable surge of interest in mini-ITX computers and smaller form factors that have evolved from niche toys to viable mainstream solutions. Perhaps the Intel Compute Stick, which is a full-fledged computer slightly larger than a USB stick, is the culmination of this trend. Today we are considering this outlandish device and deciding whether it can be applied to anything on the farm.

Getting to know your device

Intel Compute Stick comes in a small box, similar in size to the box from mobile phone... In the box itself, besides the computer itself, there is a power supply, a USB-microUSB cable and an HDMI extension cable. The latter can only be welcomed, since the Compute Stick has a rather wide body. If you plug it directly into the TV, it can block the adjacent connectors (in our case, this is what happened).

The number of connectors and controls on the Compute Stick is minimal. On one of the sides there is a USB 2.0 port, a microUSB connector (which serves to power the device) and a power button. On the other side there is a slot for microSD memory cards. In the upper part of the case there is nothing but the holes for the cooling system, and the entire lower surface is occupied by an extensive sticker with information about the device.

It is worth noting that the Atom Z3735F processor found in the Compute Stick is used in numerous tablets without active cooling. However, here it is cooled by a miniature fan that rotates at high speed and emits a very nasty (albeit quiet) high-frequency howl. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that the fan speed is dependent on the load on the processor and integrated graphics. Personally, I experienced quite a lot of discomfort using the Compute Stick with an office monitor at a typical distance for such a scenario (less than a meter). However, if you connect a computer to a large diagonal TV, then at a typical TV viewing distance of 2-3 meters, its acoustic characteristics do not cause discomfort.

Performance

The Intel Compute Stick is a typical Atom processor. Today's Atom is not nearly as helpless as it was several years ago, so its performance is quite sufficient for tasks such as working with documents, surfing the web, watching videos (including high definition) and even simple games. Unfortunately, we were not able to make formal performance measurements for a reason that will be described in more detail below.

Problems

Let's say right away that we ran into a number of problems while testing the Intel Compute Stick. Let's list them all.

System disk volume

The built-in eMMC storage in the Intel Compute Stick is only 32 GB, which is a bit by itself. Of these 32 GB, approximately 9 GB is occupied by the operating system recovery partition, so the user has to deal with a 23 GB system partition, of which less than 17 GB is free. After several rounds of installing operating system updates Windows systems 8.1 the amount of free space on the drive drops below the 10 GB bar, which leads to big problems when installing updates and applications. In particular, because of this, we were unable to install the 3DMark benchmark on the Compute Stick.

Low speed of work with memory cards

Using a quality SanDisk UHS-I microSD card in the Compute Stick, we achieved a write speed of around 5MB / s and a read speed of 17MB / s. In laptop Apple MacBook Pro the same memory card showed a write speed of 33 MB / s, read speed - 49 MB / s. It is easy to guess that this puts a big and fat cross on the ability to fully use microSD card as an ersatz disk for installing applications.

Ugly wifi adapter

The Intel Compute Stick uses a Realtek RTL8723BS dual-band wireless module with Wi-Fi 802.11n support. It does not support MIMO, so the maximum theoretical data rate with an access point is limited to 150 Mbps. In practice with our editorial TP-LINK router WDR4300 (802.11n / 5 GHz) data transfer rate did not exceed 10 Mbps, and such things as working with e-mail, web surfing, etc. were problematic. At the same time, the laptop standing next to it on the table behaved completely normal when working with the same access point.

Possible use cases

What can the Intel Compute Stick be used for? Several options come to mind.

Intel Compute Stick and wireless keyboard with touchpad - HTPC creation kit

• Office PC(in conjunction with a monitor equipped with an HDMI connector). In my opinion, the Compute Stick will be good as an ultra-budget machine for working with documents and playing solitaire (especially if you replace Windows with Linux).
• HTPC. Built in Atom processor graphics processor Intel HD Graphics supports hardware decoding of HD video in a wide variety of formats, so the device is of interest as an HTPC (especially if you use special wrappers like Kodi). Personally, I see only two obstacles to this: firstly, the Compute Stick cannot output high-definition audio stream (Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD) via HDMI, and secondly, the poor performance of the Wi-Fi module makes streaming video over the network problematic ... However, if desired, the second problem can be solved (for example, using an Ethernet adapter with a USB interface). In this scenario, the built-in Bluetooth module will be relevant, which can be used to connect a keyboard and mouse.
• Thin client. Well, everything is clear here.

On my own behalf, I will add that in the office we use a mini-PC connected to a TV for presentations, access to the discussed websites, etc. This mini-PC was assembled four years ago, and its cost at that time was about $ 600. Today it, with certain reservations, could well be replaced with an Intel Compute Stick, which costs only $ 139, does not take up space at all and consumes several times less electricity.

In the dry residue

The Intel Compute Stick is a device that has a lot of sores (see the Problems section above). However, at the same time, this is one of the most interesting devices that fell into my hands over the past few years. The fact that a full-fledged computer can be crammed into a flash drive form factor and sold for $ 139 is in itself surprising and allows us to hope that it can be used for the general computerization of schools and other similar projects. Personally, I believe that the next generation of Compute Sticks will be free of children's ailments, but in the meantime, in my opinion, you should refrain from buying.

The editors would like to thank the MOYO store chain for the kindly provided Intel Compute Stick for the review.

4 reasons to buy Intel Compute Stick:

1. low cost;
2. sufficient for simple tasks performance;
3. trouble-free playback of HD-video of different formats;
4. ultra-compact form factor.

2 reasons not to buy an Intel Compute Stick:

1. a large number of children's "sores";
2. noisy active cooling system.

Today, almost any TV, additional monitor, or even a projector equipped with an HDMI port can turn into a personal computer equipped with Windows 10. And it only takes a few seconds. The secret behind this magical transformation is a new generation of micro-desktops, such as Intel's Compute Stick, priced at around RUB 13,500 ($ 159). They are only slightly larger than a USB dongle and plug into a redundant HDMI port.

Microcomputers like these provide a fresh look at the concept of a pocket PC. Starting with the original Computer Stick, which made a splash at CES 2015 and was modified in 2016, you can finally get a complete Windows desktop the size of a penknife that you can carry in your pocket. The latest version of the Computer Stick is currently priced at 13,500 rubles ($ 159) at retail, although this price may come down even further.

All this is part of the growing trend of miniaturization of such devices. Consoles like the Roku or Amazon Fire TV are about the size of a small book. Similar solutions are available for desktop computers as well. Unless, of course, you are willing to put up with some inconveniences.

The Computer Stick, like its counterparts, is by no means hi-end devices. In fact, they are somewhere on the level of inexpensive laptops under $ 200. They carry a low-power Intel Atom processor, 2GB of RAM and 32GB of flash storage (most of which is occupied by the operating system).

However, those who need to quickly turn a TV or monitor into a computer rarely need more than simple web surfing, watching streaming video or working with other online services for which this functionality is more than enough.

This year the Computer Stick is longer, but has an additional USB port.

Computer Stick 2016. What Has Changed?

The 2016 model has evolved in a positive direction. Outwardly, it is still the same small block with matte surface and rounded corners. It is slightly longer than its predecessor, but this is forgivable, because now it has two USB port(one USB 3.0 and the other USB 2.0) versus one in its predecessor. The WiFi antenna now supports the 802.11ac standard (although WiFi issues were noted with its predecessor), and the Intel Atom processor has been updated to the latest version called Cherry Trail. Although even with the old processor, last year's model played HD video very well. This is despite the fact that Atom processors, regardless of generation, are by no means designed for everyday work computers.

Specifications

• Estimated price - 13,500 rubles ($ 159);
• Processor - Intel Atom x5-Z8300, 1.44GHz;
• RAM - 2048MB DDR3 SDRAM 1600MHz;
• Video adapter - 128MB (dedicated) intel HD Graphics;
• Permanent memory - 32GB SSD;
• Operating system - Windows 10 Home (32-bit).

Design and functionality

The Compute Stick's design, regardless of generation, is sleek and minimalistic. At least it seems so at first glance. And of course, getting it up and running is a little trickier than just plugging it into the HDMI port.

First, you need food. So don't forget the Micro-USB cable and power supply. This time the cable is longer, a little less than a meter, but it's still an extra wire. Perhaps in the future, in some new version of HDMI, it will be possible to supply power directly through the video port, but this is still a long way off. Also, in case the dimensions do not allow you to insert the unit directly into the HDMI port of the TV, an additional HDMI cable is provided.

Next in line is the keyboard and / or mouse. There are several options here. You can connect wired versions (fortunately, there are now two USB ports). Or you can use wireless options by connecting them via a USB radio or Bluetooth. The latter option is the most preferable because you don't need to occupy the USB ports with cables or radio modules. Especially considering that there are already enough cables.

Intel also offers an app called Intel Remote Keyboard, available for iOS and Android, which will allow you to connect an on-screen keyboard and touchpad from your smartphone or tablet. This is great if you only need basic system access or plan to use your mouse to navigate and your smartphone's onscreen keyboard to enter passwords or URLs.

Ports and connectors

• Video - HDMI;
• Audio - no;
• Data - 1xUSB 3.0, 1xUSB 2.0, micro-SD cart reader up to 128GB;
• Network - WiFi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.0;
• No optical drive.

Performance

Last year's first generation Compute Stick performed well. The power was enough for Web surfing and a media player. But she was also prone to sudden slowdowns. The new processor installed on the 2016 version (or, if you look at the names, Cherry Trail vs. Bay Trail) shows similar or even more modest results in our benchmark tests, but you most likely won't even feel the difference. They both compete fairly well against another micro PC, the Kangaroo Mobile Desktop Computer and Lenovo's low-cost 100S laptop. Defining a clear leader is difficult.

Well, as a dessert, do not forget about Windows 10. Recall that last year's version had only Windows 8. At the same time, Windows 10 is better optimized for weak machines, which somewhat smooths out the inconvenience of use.

According to the test results, the new model turned out to be a little faster than its predecessor (probably thanks to Windows 10 and the Edge browser), but the simultaneous launch of several tasks still causes lags. However, with basic tasks, such as launching Netflix or YouTube, the mini-PC can do it quite well.

The Computer Stick 2016 also does a good job with undemanding games, but the small amount of memory left after the operating system launches leaves a limited selection of legacy games like Torchlight or Amnesia: The Dark Descent that will run on almost any platform. If you want something more, then think about the slot for micro-SD-cards, which support cards up to 128GB.

Output

Micro PC prices have dropped a lot, hitting the $ 100 mark, so $ 159 for an Intel Computer Stick is expensive. And this despite the good performance of the (relatively) new configuration, as well as the two USB ports, which can be very useful.

Basically, the same Asus Chromebit can boast the best characteristics, even for less. But he has ChromeOS, which means no new applications. If you are looking for a more powerful Windows micro PC, check out the latter. Core version M from Intel coming out this year. But keep in mind that it will be twice as expensive.

As a device for watching video or surfing the web for everyday use or travel, secure transportation of business data or applications, or just trying to breathe new life into an old TV or monitor, the Compute Stick is pretty out of the price niche. But if Intel can bring the price down to the level of $ 99, then I will say that it will be a “must have” product for anyone interested in such functionality.

Pros: The second generation Intel Compute Stick has received several enhancements and is great for day-to-day web surfing and HD video playback.

Minuses: There is very little memory, so installing applications or downloading videos is problematic. Despite the modern design, additional adapters and a tangle of cables spoil the experience.

Outcome: Intel has fixed last year's pocket PC lapses, but be prepared for poor specs. However, for Email, social networks or videos - the resources provided are quite enough.