Lenovo has a new PC but it isn’t your average PC, in fact it is a PC
at a size of a USB stick. On Tuesday, Lenovo announced its latest PC
creation – PC on a Stick. For $130, you can run full-fledged Windows OS
–the only difference is the size.
If you are familiar with Chromecast, then you already know of a PC on a Stick. Only that this time, Lenovo lets you run Windows on a pc on a stick. This means you can play games, install your windows app, and do the same things you do on your Windows PC or laptop on your pocket. Carry this Lenovo IdeaCentre 300 with you on the go and all you need is a TV or PC monitor with HDMI to run applications and access all your files. The idea of this pocket-sized PC is to offer consumers a cheaper alternative to a laptop or tablet.
It has 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. It has WiFi for internet connectivity and Bluetooth 4.0 for your peripherals. For expansion of storage, there is a microUSB port for powering up the device and a USB Type-A connector for your keyboard or mouse, the device comes with . Oh did I mention that it comes with a speaker? While you won’t expect this to run high-end games, it does a great job in portability – a thing that most users need today.
The biggest highlight of this device is that it comes preinstalled with Windows 8.1. This means that what runs on your Windows 8.1 PC or laptop will run on this stick too. and can upgrade to Windows 10 for free once the OS is released.
“We’ve looked at the computing needs of travelers, business people and families, and realized that a truly portable and affordable solution would be a significant benefit to users of all kinds,” Jun Ouyang, Lenovo’s general manager for Worldwide Desktop and Visuals, said in a press release. “Our goal with the Ideacentre Stick 300 is to give those users a sense of freedom and enhanced mobility, while packing a serious punch in a small device.”
Lenovo hasn’t determined yet the initial release of the IdeaCentre Stick on the market, but when it comes out, it will only cost $129.
Both Lenovo and Intel have similar processor and storage specs, although Intel’s version offers two operating system versions. The Windows version offer 32 GB of storage while the Linux version offers only 8GB of storage. For Linux users, the 8GB version isn’t much of a problem.
Both sticks can connect to WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0.
Both devices are small enough to fit at the palm of your hard and comes with HDMI SD, card reader and a single microUSB port. These extras allows the stick to easily plug into a TV or monitor with HDMI port and transform it into a fully functional pc.
As for the price, Lenovo is way cheaper than Intel’s version. Hopefully it won’t have any bloatwares installed – a common tactic of most PC makers nowadays.
While Lenovo creates a portable solution for users on the go, the Chinese company did not state their specific target market in mind. Intel, on the other hand is clear that the device’s target is for enterprise-level customers. Customers can enable thin-client installations, digital signage, digital kiosks, etc.
It won’t probably fit for an everyday computing nor be a good alternative for playing high-end games, but it will be very useful for video streaming, game streaming, or other computing needs on the cheap.
People see an excellent application for PC on a stick such as for presentations, restaurant kiosks, and business people or travelers who expect that they have a monitor, keyboard and mouse ready when they arrive at the designated location.
As for us here at options1000.com, we looked at it as just another form factor of PC. It won’t replace our conventional devices, but instead add in a lieu of devices at our disposal so we’ll have plenty of options to choose from. Once it has decent specs enough for our modern computing needs, we could buy one, but until then, this is just another great concept that hopefully would stay in the market.
What about you? What are your thoughts on the PC on a Stick? Leave us a comment below.
You can read more here: www.options1000.com
PC on A Stick
If you are familiar with Chromecast, then you already know of a PC on a Stick. Only that this time, Lenovo lets you run Windows on a pc on a stick. This means you can play games, install your windows app, and do the same things you do on your Windows PC or laptop on your pocket. Carry this Lenovo IdeaCentre 300 with you on the go and all you need is a TV or PC monitor with HDMI to run applications and access all your files. The idea of this pocket-sized PC is to offer consumers a cheaper alternative to a laptop or tablet.
Lenovo IdeaCentre 300
This device runs a 1.33Ghz quad-core Intel Atom processor Z3735F. The processor has 4 threads and can run for u to 1.83 Ghz in turbo mode. As for graphics, it has Intel HD Graphics which could be great for some low-spec games and watching movies without lag or distortion.It has 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. It has WiFi for internet connectivity and Bluetooth 4.0 for your peripherals. For expansion of storage, there is a microUSB port for powering up the device and a USB Type-A connector for your keyboard or mouse, the device comes with . Oh did I mention that it comes with a speaker? While you won’t expect this to run high-end games, it does a great job in portability – a thing that most users need today.
The biggest highlight of this device is that it comes preinstalled with Windows 8.1. This means that what runs on your Windows 8.1 PC or laptop will run on this stick too. and can upgrade to Windows 10 for free once the OS is released.
“We’ve looked at the computing needs of travelers, business people and families, and realized that a truly portable and affordable solution would be a significant benefit to users of all kinds,” Jun Ouyang, Lenovo’s general manager for Worldwide Desktop and Visuals, said in a press release. “Our goal with the Ideacentre Stick 300 is to give those users a sense of freedom and enhanced mobility, while packing a serious punch in a small device.”
Lenovo hasn’t determined yet the initial release of the IdeaCentre Stick on the market, but when it comes out, it will only cost $129.
Lenovo IdeaCentre Stick 300 Vs Intel Compute Stick
Lenovo isn’t the first to release a miniature PC. The Intel ComputeStick priced at $149 the same as Lenovo only that it requires a Micro-USB power source but all its components are contained entirely within the dongle.Both Lenovo and Intel have similar processor and storage specs, although Intel’s version offers two operating system versions. The Windows version offer 32 GB of storage while the Linux version offers only 8GB of storage. For Linux users, the 8GB version isn’t much of a problem.
Both sticks can connect to WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0.
Both devices are small enough to fit at the palm of your hard and comes with HDMI SD, card reader and a single microUSB port. These extras allows the stick to easily plug into a TV or monitor with HDMI port and transform it into a fully functional pc.
As for the price, Lenovo is way cheaper than Intel’s version. Hopefully it won’t have any bloatwares installed – a common tactic of most PC makers nowadays.
While Lenovo creates a portable solution for users on the go, the Chinese company did not state their specific target market in mind. Intel, on the other hand is clear that the device’s target is for enterprise-level customers. Customers can enable thin-client installations, digital signage, digital kiosks, etc.
What Is It Good For?
The PC on a stick is great for travelers, businesspeople, and families on the go who love the portability of a laptop but couldn’t afford one. It is for those who wants a backup plan in case something goes wrong with their main computer. It is for quick checking of emails and having your own personal private space wherever you go.It won’t probably fit for an everyday computing nor be a good alternative for playing high-end games, but it will be very useful for video streaming, game streaming, or other computing needs on the cheap.
Conclusion
Will a PC on a Stick replace your PCs and laptops? Probably not. One reason is the speed. Sure it is portable and an excellent device for users on the go, for power saving kiosks, for easy and quick application of systems in a business or corporate buildings, but it doesn’t have enough horsepower to make you want to switch to it permanently. Also, the PC on a stick still requires a keyboard and a monitor to work. What if the monitor doesn’t have a HDMI port? What if you forgot to bring the keyboard? Those will be the times you could have thought that a laptop will be fit for such applications.People see an excellent application for PC on a stick such as for presentations, restaurant kiosks, and business people or travelers who expect that they have a monitor, keyboard and mouse ready when they arrive at the designated location.
As for us here at options1000.com, we looked at it as just another form factor of PC. It won’t replace our conventional devices, but instead add in a lieu of devices at our disposal so we’ll have plenty of options to choose from. Once it has decent specs enough for our modern computing needs, we could buy one, but until then, this is just another great concept that hopefully would stay in the market.
What about you? What are your thoughts on the PC on a Stick? Leave us a comment below.
You can read more here: www.options1000.com
