Been thinking about getting a new computer? This tiny, thumb-drive-sized gadget from Intel might fit the bill if the job isn't too demanding. The $150 device, announced at CES in January, fits an entire Windows computer into a dongle you plug into any display's HDMI port. You won't be playing the latest games, but you can check email, watch Netflix and browse the Web like a champ.
The Compute Stick comes in two varieties, one with Windows 8.1 and one with Linux. You probably want the former — it has more RAM and storage. Plug it into the back of your TV or a spare monitor (you'll probably want a wireless keyboard and mouse as well) and you've got a full-fledged PC. You can order iCompute Stick at Newegg now for delivery next month.
Of course, with Windows 10 on the horizon, you might want to wait a bit and see if the Compute Stick will run it. Or if you prefer something even more lightweight, try out Google's ChromeBit, another dongle-sized PC that runs the company's own Chrome OS.
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