I take it out of my wide trousers. Review of the Intel Compute Stick minicomputer. Intel Compute Stick: the first one is lumpy? Intel compute stick games

There are different types of microcomputers - really “micro” and slightly larger, not very productive and generally not suitable for anything other than Internet surfing. Today this type includes a whole host of different devices with different capabilities and purposes, but among the apparent diversity it is not easy to find a model that is powerful enough in its class. It is even more difficult to find such a PC in Russia. The models that are on the market today are, for the most part, only suitable for Internet surfing and watching movies with far from the highest resolution. Intel itself decided to rectify the situation by releasing a microcomputer based on a hardware platform of its own design. 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 hardware. Well, who, if not Intel itself, knows better what form factor and what functionality a device on the Intel hardware platform should have?

⇡ Contents of delivery

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

• HDMI cable;
• USB ↔ Micro-USB cable;
• power adapter with a set of four plugs of different standards;
• quick printed user guide;
• activation card for an annual subscription to McAfee antivirus.

We will get to know the purpose of the accessories in more detail a little later, but for now let’s look at the technical characteristics of the new product.

⇡ Specifications

* Average price on Yandex.Market at the time of 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 less RAM and disk subsystem and making it, accordingly, cheaper. As for the second version of this device, which came to our test laboratory, its OS has a 32-bit kernel. But the word Bing in the name means little to the user, except that this not the most popular search engine is built into the Internet Explorer browser. If you want, use it, if you don’t want, use any other.

As mentioned above, the Intel Compute Stick microcomputer is based on the Intel Bay Trail-T platform with the quad-core Intel Atom Z3735F, which already belongs to the second generation of processors for this platform, released last spring and developed on the 22-nanometer Silvermont architecture. This processor is one of the most inexpensive in the line, and therefore has a minimum clock frequency, which in nominal operating mode is 1.33 GHz and can be increased to 1.83 GHz in turbo mode. The volume of the second level cache is 2 MB. The processor is a very economical model. The SDP (Scenario Design Power) indicator, that is, the level of average power consumption during everyday use, is only 2.2 W. 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 much more interesting models in the Intel Bay Trail-T processor family. It is not clear why the manufacturer chose the Intel Atom Z3735F, which has a number of serious limitations regarding RAM, video output and other interfaces. Most likely, this was done for economic reasons, because a more productive device will cost more, which means the consumer circle will be completely different.

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

The Intel Atom Z3735F processor has integrated Intel HD Graphics with four execution units, running at a base clock speed of 311 MHz and can be overclocked to 646 MHz if necessary. We have already become acquainted with this video adapter more than once, but different processors have different operating frequencies, so we can only talk about the performance and capabilities of Intel HD Graphics after testing. Let us only add that in this case the video adapter operates 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 images with a resolution of 4K.

The disk subsystem of the microcomputer is represented by a 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 allocated for service information and the recovery section. As in the case of RAM, there is a strong desire to increase the capacity of the built-in disk subsystem of the Intel Compute Stick at least twice, 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 more utilities will simply fit on this disk. You will have to use flash cards, because the Intel Compute Stick has a microSDXC reader on board.

To connect external drives and other devices, there is a single USB port on board the microcomputer. The fact that there is only one port is easily explained by the lack of free space on board the new product. In addition, the manufacturer has placed not a smaller, but a full-size version of the Type A USB port. 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 is connected. But the fact that the USB interface of the Intel Compute Stick has a specification not 3.0, but 2.0, should be considered one of the shortcomings for which the processor used is again to blame. While other models in the Intel Bay Trail-T family have a built-in USB 3.0 controller, the Intel Atom Z3735F processor only works with a 2.0 bus.

The Intel Compute Stick has a standard set of wireless communications. A Realtek RTL8723BS module is installed on board, providing Wi-Fi communications standard 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0. As for the sound, the new product is broadcast via the HDMI interface - there are no separate connectors 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 included in the supply. Bottom view

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

The main interface of the device - HDMI video output - is located on one of the narrow side edges. Since the microcomputer case is still not exactly “micro,” connecting it to the video panel without the short extension cord included in the package can be quite problematic.

All other Intel Compute Stick interfaces are located on the long side edges. On one side there are USB 2.0 and Micro-USB ports, a power control button, as well as a loop for attaching some kind of lanyard or cable that ensures 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 top lacquered panel, it houses a blue LED power indicator and two large ventilation windows, behind one of which a miniature fan is visible. Small ventilation holes are also located on the side edges.

Experimenting with computing system formats, Intel introduced the ultra-compact Compute Stick platform. A full-fledged PC with a quad-core processor, a wireless network controller, internal memory and Windows 8.1 on board is designed in the form of a large key fob. What is this, a bold experiment by the manufacturer or the birth of a new format of computing systems? Let's take a look at what to expect from a PC like this.

Compact systems similar in size to large flash key fobs are no longer very exotic. Similar platforms based on chips with ARM architecture and Android/Chrom OS have been on the market for some time. But this is the first time we’ve actually seen a PC of this form factor with an x86 processor and the Windows 8.1 operating system. And it is not surprising that such a solution was proposed by Intel, which has recently been increasingly developing the direction of miniature computers.

Contents of delivery

The system comes in a neat, fairly compact box.

The kit includes an external power supply with a power of 10 W (5V, 2A) with a set of adapters for various standards of electrical outlets, an HDMI extension cable (20 cm), a quick user guide and a coupon for a one-year subscription to McAfee AntiVirus Plus.

Design and Layout

So, Intel Compute Stick has dimensions of 103x37x12 mm. The system is offered as a complete solution. All you need to operate a PC is a screen with an HDMI interface and control peripherals (keyboard/mouse).

The system body is made of black plastic. The top panel has a glossy finish. Of course, in this case the eye catches on such nuances of the external decor, but so do the fingerprints that inevitably remain on such a surface. There are no special design delights here. Often this computer will be hidden from the eyes of the owner, because even in the external design of the system, everything is primarily subordinated to the functionality of the device.

On the top panel you can immediately distinguish two zones with grilles for exhausting heated air, through one of which a miniature fan is visible. In the central part there is a large and clearly readable Intel Inside logo. Closer to the top edge there is an activity indicator that lights up blue while the system is operating.

On the left side of the stick there is a power button, a micro-USB connector for connecting an external power supply, as well as a full-length USB 2.0 port, which can be used to connect any peripherals.

On the right panel there is a slot for installing Micro SD memory cards up to 128 GB.

There are no elements on the back of the Intel Compute Stick. Almost the entire panel is occupied by a sticker with supporting information.

There is an HDMI connector on the bottom panel.

All you need to do to connect the Intel Compute Stick is connect it to the appropriate port on your monitor/TV. Due to the shape of the case, it is obvious that not all devices will allow you to directly connect a PC. In such cases, the included flexible HDMI extender is very useful. Unfortunately, the video interface cannot provide power to the Compute Stick, so an additional external source is required for the system to operate. For these purposes, a 10-watt power supply (5V, 2A) with the usual micro-USB connector is used. The USB cable from the power supply is 95 cm long, so it is advisable to have a free electrical outlet within reach. Theoretically, the system can be powered even from the USB connectors located on the TV/monitor, but only if these ports can provide the necessary power.

Platform

The Intel Compute Stick is equipped with an Intel Atom Z3735F processor from the Bay Trail-T family. This is a quad-core SoC model with a base frequency of 1.33 GHz, which can accelerate up to 1.83 GHz under load.

These chips use the Silvermont architecture and are manufactured according to the 22-nanometer process technology. The thermal package of the CPU is less than 4 W, while the SDP is 2.2 W. Overall, this is a typical model used for tablets based on the Intel platform. Slightly faster versions of this family are also used for affordable models of compact laptops.

The built-in Intel HD Graphics video core includes 4 execution units, and the GPU frequency can vary between 311–664 MHz.

The Intel Atom Z3735F memory controller allows 2 GB in single-channel mode (DDR3L-1333). This is exactly the amount of RAM installed in the Intel Compute Stick modification in question. The system also features a built-in 32GB eMMC flash storage (Samsung MBG4GC). The Realtek RTL8723BS controller is responsible for working with wireless networks, providing communication via Wi-Fi 802.11bgn (1×1, 150 Mb/s) and Bluetooth 4.0.

The Intel Compute Stick modification in question is initially equipped with the Windows 8.1 operating system with Bing, which obviously can be painlessly upgraded to Windows 10 after its announcement. This uses a 32-bit version of the OS, which is quite logical, given the available amount of RAM.

Performance and usage nuances

Obviously, the system performance in this case is determined by the processor used. In general, we have already repeatedly reviewed the capabilities of PCs and tablets based on Intel Bay Trail family of chips. As one of the manufacturer's slogans used for the Compute Stick says, “We reduced the size of the system, but not its performance.” And this is actually true. First, some results from synthetic tests.

The results are quite expected. Yes, the speed indicators are not amazing, especially in terms of graphics capabilities. In this regard, I would really like to see a Compute Stick based on 14-nanometer Chery Trail chips, which have become even more economical, a little more productive and have integrated 8th generation graphics (Gen 8) with 12 computing modules and support for DirectX 11.2. Unfortunately, the company presented these SoCs only in March, while the Inte Compute Stick was announced back at January CES 2015. Surely we will see new processors as part of “computing sticks,” but of the next generation.

The capabilities of the current system are quite sufficient for a fairly wide range of tasks. There are no problems with opening several heavy pages with complex layouts. Although you shouldn’t be particularly zealous here either. Browsers require more and more RAM, and with only 2 GB of RAM, you have to curb your appetite. Otherwise, the responsiveness of the system is reduced. The Compute Stick handles office applications confidently. Serious, voluminous projects are unlikely to be processed on such a system, but relatively simple documents can be edited quite comfortably.

The gaming capabilities of the Intel Compute Stick are not great. The built-in graphics core will provide a comfortable level of fps only in simple casual projects. A compact PC looks much more confident in the form of a universal media player.

The list of video formats for which hardware decoding is supported is quite convincing. With DXVA support, the system can easily handle streams with bitrates up to 100 Mb/s.

When using the Intel Compute Stick, you should take a rational approach to the selection of applications used and the list of tasks that are assigned to the system. Here, in general, the same approaches and principles work as for mobile systems with basic performance. You can try to work with layers in Photoshop or start editing a video, but this is a thankless task. Each task has its own tool.

The version of the Intel Compute Stick in question is equipped with a 32 GB eMMC drive. In this case, part of the disk is allocated for a backup partition, which is necessary for the possibility of system recovery. A significant part of the drive is initially occupied by Windows 8.1 Bing. After the first launch, before updating the operating system and installing additional applications, the system owner has approximately 19.5 GB of free disk space at his disposal. As practice shows, such volumes are processed very quickly. The disk subsystem can be expanded by additionally installing a Micro SD flash card with a capacity of up to 128 GB.

As for the performance of the internal drive, its speed indicators are more likely to be expected for eMMC - not very fast, but quite tolerable, especially for a drive installed in a PC of such a compact format.

To connect additional peripherals, Intel Compute Stick offers one full-length USB 2.0 port. On the one hand, it’s great that in principle it is available on a platform of such dimensions, on the other hand, one USB connector is not enough for many situations. The examples begin with the inability to connect the usual wired mouse and keyboard. Obviously, in this case it is worth taking care of a wireless kit in advance. Although, this is not without nuances. For sets with a radio module, you need to connect an external receiver to the system, which will actually occupy the only USB connector. Peripherals connected via Bluetooth in this case are perhaps preferable. But it’s important not to go cheap here – the most affordable mice/keyboards with Bluetooth often suffer from mediocre responsiveness during operation.

The issue of connecting peripherals is radically solved here by a USB hub with 4–8 additional ports. It is also worth considering here that the USB port on the Compute Stick offers a current of up to 500 mA, that is, the total power of connected consumers should not exceed 2.5 W. It will not be possible to connect several external hard drives and wired peripherals to the hub at once. For such a body kit you need an active USB hub with additional power. Such a device radically solves the problem, but it requires another electrical outlet, and in general, in this configuration the topology of the platform changes somewhat. Instead of a simple compact solution, we get a branched system with a lot of additional wires, which requires three free sockets for operation.

Power consumption, noise and heat

In rest mode, the “baby” with the wireless receiver installed in the USB connector consumes about 3–3.5 W. When there is no load, the cooling system operates in passive mode, and the SoC heats up to 45–50C. After some activities, when the processor temperature reaches 60 degrees, the fan starts. It was not possible to register its rotation speed using known utilities. It is subjectively felt that the rotation speed varies within a certain range depending on the heating of the processor. During maximum load on the computing cores, the CPU temperature rose to 70 degrees.

The noise level emitted by the fan is low, but in a quiet home environment, if the stick is connected to a work monitor, it is not difficult to hear it. If the system is connected to a TV installed at a distance of 2–3 meters from the user, then the presence of a fan should definitely not be confusing. The same is true for working in an office space. Of course, the ideal option would be to use a passive cooling system, which would eliminate all issues with the level of noise emitted. But, as we see, Intel relied on effective heat removal and safe temperature conditions for the system.

Under load on the CPU and GPU units, the system's power consumption is about 8–9 W, while when watching HD video, the Compute Stick's consumption is 5–6 W. This is not the 20-30 W that a NUC class system requires. The difference is quite noticeable, but this is exactly what we expected from a PC with such a compact form factor and economical hardware platform.

Price

Intel Compute Stick will be available in two versions. A version with 2 GB of RAM, a 32 GB drive and the Windows 8.1 operating system with Bing is already offered in the US market for $149. The model with Linux Ubuntu 14.04 LTS will cost $110, but this version will be equipped with 1 GB of RAM and an internal disk with a capacity of 8 GB. The price is relatively low, but at the same time it is not an ultra-budget solution. In the nascent segment of stick computing, cost matters a lot. The price range is different and $20–30 is already a significant difference. To the cost of the device you should also add the amount required to purchase a mouse/keyboard set, and if you are going to actively use additional peripherals, then you cannot do without purchasing a USB hub.

When making a choice in the direction of “key fob” format systems, you need quite strong arguments and a justified model for using an ultra-compact platform, because slightly more expensive mini-PCs offer wider functionality.

Results

Intel Compute Stick allows you to turn any TV or monitor with an HDMI output into a full-fledged system suitable for work. With a familiar operating system and a set of necessary applications. When you see solutions like the Intel Compute Stick, you can especially feel the progress of computing systems. The capabilities of a PC, which not so long ago required a classic system unit, are now implemented in a keychain that gets lost in a shirt pocket. Yes, of course, such a “stick” will not fully replace a desktop or laptop, and it certainly does not pretend to be the only computer in the house. However, at a relatively low cost, it can turn a large TV into another computer that can cope with everyday tasks and network activities, and also allows you to watch videos in various formats and slightly entertain yourself with casual games.

Intel Compute Stick is the manufacturer's first iteration in this segment. The platform is not ideal yet; at least there are certain parameters that I would like to improve. Of course, such a compact solution has its own nuances of use, but if the spirit of technical adventurism is alive in you, then such a PC will be very interesting even as an object for experimentation. At the same time, the ease of connection and the initial readiness of the system for operation allows us not to limit the circle of potential owners of the Intel Compute Stick only to enthusiasts.

Liked

Very compact dimensions

Performance sufficient for everyday tasks

Availability of a full-size USB port

Micro SD card slot (up to 128 GB)

HDMI extender included

Operating system Windows 8.1 with Bing

Did not like

- Modest integrated graphics capabilities

— Active cooling system

— Small amount of internal storage

The target audience that may find the Compute Stick useful for household use is quite clearly defined. Firstly, these are people who need a full-fledged personal computer always and everywhere. For example, for constant presentations using x86-compatible software. Put the device in your pocket and you're done. Secondly, these are users who use the computer exclusively for Internet surfing and simple office applications. Thirdly, the Compute Stick may be of interest to those who want to turn it into a media player and connect it directly to the TV, thereby getting a 2-in-1 device. The mini-computer reviewed today copes with all these tasks.

In my opinion, it makes no sense to make serious claims about the Compute Stick's performance. In a tiny form factor with an area of ​​30x90 mm they fit something that can work stably with a minimum of energy consumption and very low heat generation. It turned out well. The stated 32 GB of memory may not be enough for some, but in this case there is always the opportunity to increase disk space by purchasing an SD card. But we have the right to demand quieter (ideally silent) operation from the Compute Stick.

Perhaps the only thing seriously disappointing about the device is its price. Not everyone will be able/willing to pay more than ten thousand rubles for a mini-computer. That's why Compute Stick is a thing in itself. That is, a device intended for a narrow circle of people. However, it clearly demonstrates the level to which high technology has grown. To the point where computers that fit comfortably in your pocket are becoming commonplace.

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 to this magical transformation is a new generation of micro-desktops, like Intel's Compute Stick, which costs about 13,500 rubles ($159). They are only slightly larger than a USB dongle and plug into the backup HDMI port.

Such microcomputers allow us to take 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 redesigned in 2016, you can finally have a full-fledged pocketknife-sized Windows desktop that you can carry in your pocket. The latest version of the Computer Stick currently costs 13,500 rubles ($159) at retail, although this price may drop further.

All this is part of the growing trend towards miniaturization of such devices. Set-top boxes like Roku or Amazon Fire TV are the size of a small book. Similar solutions are available for desktop computers. If, of course, you are willing to put up with some inconveniences.

Computer Stick, like its analogues, are by no means hi-end devices. In fact, they are somewhere on the level of inexpensive laptops costing up to $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 anything more than simple web surfing, watching streaming video or working with other online services, for which such functionality is more than enough.

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

Computer Stick 2016. What's changed?

The 2016 model has evolved in a positive direction. Externally, it is the same small block with a matte surface and rounded corners. It is a little longer than its predecessor, but this is forgivable, because it now has two USB ports (one USB 3.0 and the other USB 2.0) versus one on its predecessor. The WiFi antenna now supports the 802.11ac standard (although WiFi problems 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 intended for everyday work computers.

Specifications

• Estimated price - 13,500 rubles ($159);
• Processor - Intel Atom x5-Z8300, 1.44 GHz;
• 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 that's what it seems at first glance. And of course, installing and running it is a little more complicated than just “insert into the HDMI port.”

First, you need nutrition. So don't forget about the Micro-USB cable and power supply. This time the cable is longer, a little less than a meter, but it is 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 a 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 last option is the most preferable because there is no need to occupy 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, that will allow you to connect an on-screen keyboard and touchpad from your smartphone or tablet. This is quite useful if you only need basic access to the system or plan to use the mouse for navigation and your smartphone's on-screen keyboard for entering passwords or URLs.

Ports and connectors

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

Performance

Last year's first generation Compute Stick had good performance. The power was quite 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 well with fellow micro PC Kangaroo Mobile Desktop Computer and Lenovo's inexpensive 100S laptop. Determining a clear leader is quite difficult.

Well, as a dessert, don’t forget about Windows 10. Let us remember that last year’s version only had Windows 8. At the same time, Windows 10 is better optimized for weak machines, which somewhat smoothes 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 running several tasks simultaneously still causes lags. However, the mini-PC copes well with basic tasks, such as launching Netflix or YouTube.

The Computer Stick 2016 also handles light games well, but the small amount of memory left after the operating system starts up 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.

Conclusion

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

In principle, the same Asus Chromebit can boast better characteristics, even for a lower price. But it has ChromeOS, which means no new apps. If you're looking for a more powerful Windows micro PC, though, check out Intel's latest Core M, 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 traveling, securely transporting 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 range. But if Intel can bring the price down to $99, then I will say that this will be a “must have” product for anyone interested in such functionality.

Pros: The second generation of the Intel Compute Stick has received several improvements and is great for everyday 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 greatly spoil the impression.

Result: Intel has fixed last year's handheld blunders, but be prepared for weak specs. However, for email, social networks or video, the resources provided are quite enough.

Last year, we met a couple of very interesting devices - Intel Compute Stick and Modecom FreePC microcomputers, which in appearance resemble either very large flash drives or CDMA modems with a USB interface. Despite their unusual nature, these products are full-fledged PCs that run the familiar Microsoft Windows operating system and are designed to perform a wide range of everyday tasks that are not resource-intensive. Meanwhile, despite the bold idea, both of its practical implementations that we examined were not without drawbacks. It is not surprising that the founder of this class of devices, Intel, introduced a new version of the Compute Stick STK1AW32SC microcomputer based on the Atom x5-Z8300 single-chip system.

Compared to the previous generation product STCK1A32WFC, the new model has received a number of improvements, including expansion capabilities, but retains the same attractive retail price. Whether the newcomer managed to get rid of the “bottlenecks” of its predecessor, we will find out during today’s review, but for now I suggest you familiarize yourself with the technical characteristics of the devices.

Contents of delivery

The Intel Compute Stick that arrived at our test lab turned out to be an engineering sample intended to demonstrate the technical capabilities of the product. Therefore, the design and shape of the cardboard box intended for transporting the device may differ significantly for retail copies.

On the reverse side, instead of technical specifications, there is a description of the main advantage of the Compute Stick: the ability to use it to transform any monitor or TV with an HDMI input into a full-fledged, ready-to-use personal computer.

In addition to the device itself, the package includes:

• user guide;
• network adapter;
• HDMI extender.

In general, the newcomer’s set of accessories is not much different from that of last year’s model, with the only difference being that the included WA-15105R network adapter, which provides an output power of 15 W (5 V, 3 A), is equipped with a non-removable cord with a micro-USB connector type “B”, whereas the previous generation product had a cable supplied separately from the power supply.

Design

The 2016 Intel Compute Stick, like its predecessor, is made in 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. If the TV is located close to the wall, the included HDMI extender 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 a miniature fan of the active cooling system is visible. There is also a power indicator and the Intel Inside logo.

On the reverse side 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. Under it there is a screw that holds the halves of the case together.

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

On the right side of the device there is a microSDXC memory card slot 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 supplying fresh air to the cooling system.

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

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

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 budget-class embedded solutions. This single-chip system, manufactured in compliance with 14-nm production standards, has four computing cores built on the basis of the energy-efficient Silvermont microarchitecture. Among the expansion capabilities of the Intel Atom x5-Z8300, support for USB 3.0 and PCI Express buses was added, the presence of which the Atom Z3735F, which underlies the previous generation Compute Stick, could not boast of. But, as in the case of its predecessor, the maximum amount of RAM of the new product 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 more subtle technological process in the first, the difference between them is very small. The volumes of cache memory of the first and second levels did not change, the Turbo Boost clock frequency remained at the same level of 1840 MHz, while in normal mode there was a noticeable increase from 1330 to 1440 MHz. Both SoCs support SIMD instruction sets SSE4.1, SSE4.2, 64-bit computing, AES encryption acceleration and VT-x hardware virtualization. As for energy efficiency, the SDP parameter, which characterizes power consumption in typical user scenarios, for the Atom x5-Z8300 is only 2 W, not least thanks to the EIST technology, which reduces the clock frequency and voltage during idle moments.

Much more significant changes have occurred in the integrated Intel HD Grahics graphics card. For the Atom x5-Z8300, the number of executive units (EU - Execution Units) has tripled compared to the Atom Z3735F video subsystem - from four to 12 pieces, and the EUs themselves have 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 accelerating video decoding, the hardware processing unit supports most 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, the Intel Compute Stick 2016 turned out to be capable of playing video in a resolution of 3840x2160 at 60 frames/s.

The single-chip system's 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 the Bluetooth V4.0 protocol. This allowed us to double the network connection throughput: from 6 to 12 MB/s.

Wireless Wi-Fi throughput of Intel Compute Stick STK1AW32SC (left) and Intel Compute Stick STCK1A32WFC (right)

The disk subsystem is represented by a SanDisk DF4032 SSD with a capacity of 32 GB, connected to a single-chip system via the eMMC 5.0 interface. As for the speed characteristics, in comparison with the Samsung MBG4GC SSD, 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 its predecessor has a slight advantage when working with small files.

Performance of the disk subsystem Intel Compute Stick STK1AW32SC (left) and Intel Compute Stick STCK1A32WFC (right)

Thus, the main improvements in the new version of Compute Stick affected the wireless adapter and the built-in graphics subsystem, as well as the appearance of an additional USB 3.0 port. We will find out very soon how the use of the new single-chip Atom x5-Z8300 system affects the performance of the Intel microcomputer, but now let’s take a look at the UEFI Setup and bundled software for the newcomer.

UEFI Setup

Despite its miniature size, Intel Compute Stick STK1AW32SC is equipped with a full-fledged UEFI Setup. The setup menu has a clear and simple graphical interface, and the number of options available for changing is kept to a minimum. The Main section displays information about the version of the control microcode, the SoC model and its operating mode, and also sets 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 changes to UEFI Setup settings, as well as restore default values.

As you can see, the Intel Compute Stick firmware is completely devoid of any performance control options, but it offers all the necessary capabilities for administration and basic configuration of the microcomputer.

Bundled software

As for the software component of the Intel Compute Stick, there are two versions of it: STK1A32SC without an operating system, and STK1AW32SC, equipped with 32-bit Windows 10 Home, which was in our test laboratory. 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 operation.

Meanwhile, the presence of an operating system made it possible to evaluate the use of disk space, which is especially important with such a small amount of SSD with which the device is equipped. As it turns out, 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 these turned out to be 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 connect an external drive with a USB 3.0 interface. And, of course, there is always the possibility of using network storage, for example, the Microsoft OneDrive cloud service, in which each registered user is offered 15 GB for free.

In addition to the necessary drivers, Compute Stick offers only one, but very useful application - Intel Remote Keyboard, which significantly increases the usability of the microcomputer. This program allows you to turn a smartphone or tablet running Android or iOS, and located with the Compute Stick on the same Wi-Fi network, into a touch keyboard and mouse.

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

In general, there are no questions about the software component; in any case, the Intel Compute Stick microcomputer is not overloaded with unnecessary software that only takes up precious space on the system disk, and the only 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 the difference in performance significant and is there any point in hunting for a new model? Before testing, the Microsoft Windows 10 Home operating systems on both microcomputers were reset to their original state, after which no performance adjustments were made. The following software was used to evaluate operating speed:

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

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

Testing in the popular comprehensive benchmark Futuremark PCMark 8, which allows you to evaluate the overall level of performance in basic user scenarios, was 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 powerful video core, while in the Work subtest the situation was exactly the opposite: the newcomer was noticeably behind and the reason for this was the low results in the LibreOffice program, apparently due to incompatibility with Intel Atom x5-Z8300 processor.

Unlike the previous benchmark, the TouchXPRT2014 test package 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 clock frequency of the computing cores plays a key role 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 browser for Windows 10, the online benchmark WebXPRT 2013 was launched. In this case, Compute Stick 2016 turned out to be noticeably faster than its predecessor.

In the Futuremark 3DMark gaming test package in the Sky diver scenario, thanks to one of the main advantages of the new Intel microcomputer - a powerful graphics subsystem - the average score exceeded the previous generation model by more than twice, and when accelerating physical effects using the computing cores, the advantage was reduced to 20%.

In the Cloud gate subtest from Futuremark 3DMark Compute Stick 2016 also outperformed its ancestor, although the victory was not as impressive as in the previous case. The gain ranged from 60% overall to 100% in graphics subsystem scores, while in the Physics test track both devices showed very close results.

conclusions

As you would expect, 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 single-chip system. The improvements affected the increase in the throughput of the wireless adapter, which became possible thanks to the emergence of bus support in the SoC PCI Express 2.0, and an increase in the speed of the graphics subsystem, which should now be enough not only for casual projects, but also for games that were 5 years old. Also, one cannot help but note the appearance of a second USB 3.0 port for connecting various peripherals, which significantly enriches the expansion capabilities of the device. The most pleasant impression was also 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 we can say with confidence that the updated Intel Compute Stick fits within the 15 W provided by the included power supply. In a word, in some aspects progress is evident, which cannot but rejoice.

However, compared to its predecessor, the volume of the built-in storage and the size of 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 ensure a low recommended price, which for the 2016 Compute Stick is set at $139 for the version with Windows 10 Home, the manufacturer is forced to use a budget SoC with limited capabilities and severely save on other components. But even in this configuration, the microcomputer is perfect for use as a home multimedia entertainment center, and in the business sector, the Compute Stick can be used for organizing an information board, a self-service kiosk, and also as a thin client or entry-level workstation. So, there is no need to demand anything more from a microcomputer. And for those who still want to get the performance of a full-fledged PC in the HDMI Dongle form factor, Intel has prepared a real gift: they will soon introduce a Compute Stick based on energy-efficient Skylake processors with double the amount of RAM and solid-state drive. But that's a completely different story!