"...it is likely that Microsoft mandates neutering of a PC's hardware specifications in exchange for a lower price for the Windows 10 OEM license." To what end? Perhaps to force people to upgrade in a few years time as the hardware ages and the users load more and more programs? MS could simultaneously help the hardware vendors increase future sales and make money by having the hardware vendors pay for another OEM licence of Windows Next.
Hmmm... more thought and speculation needed. (And conspiracy theories, perhaps? ;-)
The pricing depends on specs to enable cheaper devices with low perf and small screens (including tabs and convertibles) so PC makers end up trying to reach lower price points for the OS. Not that Windows revenue is that much of Microsoft's revenue at this point. Excluding patents, it's likely tending towards 20% of their revenue and if they get away with spying on users Windows could go free for consumers at some point. Granted the PC market is in free fall and it will matter less and less.
Almost every device you own "spies" on you in a manner that was inconceivable 10 or 20 years ago. Don't trick yourself into thinking that it's only MS. Apple and Google are on the same bandwagon. And with this you basically cover the entire market.
you can install your favourite linux distro if you have a problem with that, no need to bend over. But at the same time there's no need to continously attack a specific company for "spying on its users" just for the sake of it, if it's standard procedure for all of its competitors too.
It's really nice to see such commitment. On the last couple years, I've finally started to see my expectations from computing since the nineties come to our daily life. phones fast enough and with good integration with car audio and other accessories, computers and OS's fast and easy to work with, form factors ever smaller and more silent.
moore's law may be nearing the end of the classic transistor technology, but with proper integration and presence of compute in our lifes, we may not even notice the technical aspect of it anymore.
Actually some people have said that Moore's law is not coming to the end, that they would just have to switch to a new material to do more enhancements.
Moore's Law was actually about the price of transistors, and we're finally at the point where further reductions are no longer cheaper. We'll definitely take things further, but we almost don't need to for near-future consumer goods. Expect all the sub-$100 electronics to stay in a similar power range, while the expensive stuff continues to double for a bit.
-- switch to a new material to do more enhancements.
not until, of if, science finds one. the first transistors were on gallium which is rare and expensive (relative to silicon) and is now being talked of as the replacement for silicon. might work from an engineering perspective, but might not from an economic one.
Those CoreM options look fantastic! If they have a monitor with a recessed HDMI slot that could some how secure one of these inside this it would be a great option for school labs and student computers... but unless I can lock it to the monitor then they would just walk off, so that isn't good.
Not a surprise in the slightest. For the vast majority of people, a 300-400 dollar laptop will meet all of their needs unless they are the hardest of hard-core PC gamer.
Great article as always! I'd love to see Anandtech review the new models.
I'm glad Intel is sticking to the compute stick form factor by expanding it. ATX derived form factor computers aren't generally necessary in the majority of use cases these days since even the lowest end hardware is more than enough computational power for a very large segment of the population. The reduced requirement for materials and lower energy demands are also a good thing. I do wish they'd at least make the Cherry Trail system a passively cooled device (one that doesn't thermally throttle), but maybe that's asking too much of current technology. The other thing I find problematic is the fact that RAM and storage capacity have not increased with the new Cherry Trail model to allow the new processor to really stretch its legs. If that's due to Microsoft's OS pricing, then I have to say that's disappointing because I think it's important and perfectly reasonable to see 4GB of ideally dual channel RAM and 64GB of local storage capacity at the bottom end to mitigate the need to hit flash memory for page/swap and relieve pressure on the end user to fuss over primary disk free space. HP didn't take that route with the refreshed Stream 11 and though the Cherry Trail GPU is more than good enough to support gamer needs, it's hamstrung by the same problems that Intel's lowest end compute stick will also have to cope with. I guess a very tiny USB3 stick can solve most of those problems and Windows 10 is a bit *nix-like in allowing additional space to be grafted in more elegantly, but it doesn't solve the basic capacity problems. I'm also inclined to think the Cherry Trail GPU could really stretch its otherwise constrained legs if it had more memory on dual channel (assuming the paltry 2GB Intel is offering is on a single channel anyway...it might not be).
Using USB-C for power delivery and using that capability to turn the charger itself into a docking station and to keep the stick itself compact is pretty brilliant. I'm looking forward to seeing more devices that put ports on the charging apparatus to allow dock functionality. I'm hoping USB-C makes cheap customer docks a mainstream thing.
I don't really understand why this is useful. There's room on the stick itself for a couple of USB ports (even more so if they're type C). In setups I use, the plug-in charger would be down on the floor or under the desk somewhere, so less convenient than the stick itself, which is just on the back of the monitor. Unless a lot of people have the wall power socket in a really accessible place where they'd want to have USB ports?
The article didn't mention pricing, are we sure it's too expensive for what it is? Historically that has been true, and it's likely that will be the case here, but it would be nice to know. I think most people have an easy use case for this once the pricing is right, would be sweet if this was the generation that did it.
I think everyone reading this forum knows what KODI is, and knows it runs on Linux, Android, MSFT. Nice to know we'll be able to buy Intel TV box sticks running at over 2 GHz on powerful skylake CPU'S, but Octacore ARMs are all that's needed for a nice Android gamer TV stick, and it's gonna be very difficult for Intel or MSFT to beat Google or Amazon running Android......
I was looking at the Core 5m model to load the SteamOS onto and run indie game titles like Broforce and Meatboy. I thought it would be awesome to be able to have a console on a stick and a controller. But at that price, I can only say "Hell No!"
I want to try and replace my Z77 ITX 3770 HTPC with this. It doesn't have the amount of memory I would like but the ability to put this on a 60" with a movable mount with minimal wiring and no mounting concerns is even more appealing than a NUC. With this generation, powering all my media extenders looks like a real possibility and should have enough horsepower with m3 or m5.
I feel the idea of the Compute stick is very good, but the benefits are largely negated by the poor performance relative to its price. I believe with the pricing of the Core M variant, one might be better off getting an NUC which will be more powerful and allows for more RAM and storage.
We’ve updated our terms. By continuing to use the site and/or by logging into your account, you agree to the Site’s updated Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
34 Comments
Back to Article
jjj - Monday, January 11, 2016 - link
You guys missed the ASRock Mini-STX press release.nathanddrews - Monday, January 11, 2016 - link
Also, Intel has three Core M models, not two.STK2MV64CC - Core m5 without OS for $499
STK2M3W64CC - Core m3 with Windows 10 for $399
STK2M364CC - Core m3 without OS for $299
http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/compute-sti...
ddriver - Monday, January 11, 2016 - link
At those prices, intel really sticks it to consumers :)nathanddrews - Monday, January 11, 2016 - link
Stick it out and maybe the prices will come down.AndrewJacksonZA - Monday, January 11, 2016 - link
"...it is likely that Microsoft mandates neutering of a PC's hardware specifications in exchange for a lower price for the Windows 10 OEM license."To what end? Perhaps to force people to upgrade in a few years time as the hardware ages and the users load more and more programs? MS could simultaneously help the hardware vendors increase future sales and make money by having the hardware vendors pay for another OEM licence of Windows Next.
Hmmm... more thought and speculation needed. (And conspiracy theories, perhaps? ;-)
jjj - Monday, January 11, 2016 - link
The pricing depends on specs to enable cheaper devices with low perf and small screens (including tabs and convertibles) so PC makers end up trying to reach lower price points for the OS.Not that Windows revenue is that much of Microsoft's revenue at this point. Excluding patents, it's likely tending towards 20% of their revenue and if they get away with spying on users Windows could go free for consumers at some point. Granted the PC market is in free fall and it will matter less and less.
close - Tuesday, January 12, 2016 - link
Almost every device you own "spies" on you in a manner that was inconceivable 10 or 20 years ago. Don't trick yourself into thinking that it's only MS. Apple and Google are on the same bandwagon. And with this you basically cover the entire market.jjj - Tuesday, January 12, 2016 - link
That doesn't make it ok for any of them. Just because everybody abuses you, it doesn't mean you should ever just bend over and take it.Murloc - Friday, February 26, 2016 - link
you can install your favourite linux distro if you have a problem with that, no need to bend over.But at the same time there's no need to continously attack a specific company for "spying on its users" just for the sake of it, if it's standard procedure for all of its competitors too.
FunBunny2 - Monday, January 11, 2016 - link
-- Hmmm... more thought and speculation needed. (And conspiracy theories, perhaps? ;-)nah. just The Walking Dead version of WinTel monopoly, they both hope :)
marc1000 - Monday, January 11, 2016 - link
It's really nice to see such commitment. On the last couple years, I've finally started to see my expectations from computing since the nineties come to our daily life. phones fast enough and with good integration with car audio and other accessories, computers and OS's fast and easy to work with, form factors ever smaller and more silent.moore's law may be nearing the end of the classic transistor technology, but with proper integration and presence of compute in our lifes, we may not even notice the technical aspect of it anymore.
Lerianis - Monday, January 11, 2016 - link
Actually some people have said that Moore's law is not coming to the end, that they would just have to switch to a new material to do more enhancements.WorldWithoutMadness - Monday, January 11, 2016 - link
The law would be broken if 10nm isn't out by this year. Double density every 2 years.New material? None of those are ready til 202X.
mkozakewich - Sunday, January 17, 2016 - link
Moore's Law was actually about the price of transistors, and we're finally at the point where further reductions are no longer cheaper. We'll definitely take things further, but we almost don't need to for near-future consumer goods. Expect all the sub-$100 electronics to stay in a similar power range, while the expensive stuff continues to double for a bit.Murloc - Friday, February 26, 2016 - link
almost no need?I think smartwatches badly need technological progress to be successful.
FunBunny2 - Monday, January 11, 2016 - link
-- switch to a new material to do more enhancements.not until, of if, science finds one. the first transistors were on gallium which is rare and expensive (relative to silicon) and is now being talked of as the replacement for silicon. might work from an engineering perspective, but might not from an economic one.
CaedenV - Monday, January 11, 2016 - link
Those CoreM options look fantastic!If they have a monitor with a recessed HDMI slot that could some how secure one of these inside this it would be a great option for school labs and student computers... but unless I can lock it to the monitor then they would just walk off, so that isn't good.
WorldWithoutMadness - Monday, January 11, 2016 - link
So basically AIO?This + monitors = AIO price
jjj - Monday, January 11, 2016 - link
Don't forget the pricing. They do, on purpose since if they would publish it now, everybody wold turn negative.Murloc - Friday, February 26, 2016 - link
just buy an AIO......Lerianis - Monday, January 11, 2016 - link
Not a surprise in the slightest. For the vast majority of people, a 300-400 dollar laptop will meet all of their needs unless they are the hardest of hard-core PC gamer.BrokenCrayons - Monday, January 11, 2016 - link
Great article as always! I'd love to see Anandtech review the new models.I'm glad Intel is sticking to the compute stick form factor by expanding it. ATX derived form factor computers aren't generally necessary in the majority of use cases these days since even the lowest end hardware is more than enough computational power for a very large segment of the population. The reduced requirement for materials and lower energy demands are also a good thing. I do wish they'd at least make the Cherry Trail system a passively cooled device (one that doesn't thermally throttle), but maybe that's asking too much of current technology. The other thing I find problematic is the fact that RAM and storage capacity have not increased with the new Cherry Trail model to allow the new processor to really stretch its legs. If that's due to Microsoft's OS pricing, then I have to say that's disappointing because I think it's important and perfectly reasonable to see 4GB of ideally dual channel RAM and 64GB of local storage capacity at the bottom end to mitigate the need to hit flash memory for page/swap and relieve pressure on the end user to fuss over primary disk free space. HP didn't take that route with the refreshed Stream 11 and though the Cherry Trail GPU is more than good enough to support gamer needs, it's hamstrung by the same problems that Intel's lowest end compute stick will also have to cope with. I guess a very tiny USB3 stick can solve most of those problems and Windows 10 is a bit *nix-like in allowing additional space to be grafted in more elegantly, but it doesn't solve the basic capacity problems. I'm also inclined to think the Cherry Trail GPU could really stretch its otherwise constrained legs if it had more memory on dual channel (assuming the paltry 2GB Intel is offering is on a single channel anyway...it might not be).
Shadowmaster625 - Monday, January 11, 2016 - link
2nd half of THIS year? Is Skylake H real or vapor?xthetenth - Monday, January 11, 2016 - link
Using USB-C for power delivery and using that capability to turn the charger itself into a docking station and to keep the stick itself compact is pretty brilliant. I'm looking forward to seeing more devices that put ports on the charging apparatus to allow dock functionality. I'm hoping USB-C makes cheap customer docks a mainstream thing.stephenbrooks - Tuesday, January 12, 2016 - link
I don't really understand why this is useful. There's room on the stick itself for a couple of USB ports (even more so if they're type C). In setups I use, the plug-in charger would be down on the floor or under the desk somewhere, so less convenient than the stick itself, which is just on the back of the monitor. Unless a lot of people have the wall power socket in a really accessible place where they'd want to have USB ports?Murloc - Friday, February 26, 2016 - link
there's space on the stick but maybe not inside of the stick.You also have to account for the bulkiness of devices you attach to it, those may obstruct ports.
I think the point is that you can put your universal keyboard receiver or whatever on the plug-in charger, so that the ports on the stick are free.
Also many people have a wall socket above desk height (e.g. I do) so this may be useful for them.
Basically they're providing options.
zodiacfml - Monday, January 11, 2016 - link
Still expensive for what it is. It is probably popular for signage use. That power adapter with two USB 3.0 ports is cool though.fanofanand - Monday, January 11, 2016 - link
The article didn't mention pricing, are we sure it's too expensive for what it is? Historically that has been true, and it's likely that will be the case here, but it would be nice to know. I think most people have an easy use case for this once the pricing is right, would be sweet if this was the generation that did it.Anonymous Blowhard - Monday, January 11, 2016 - link
I wonder if they've made simultaneous BT/Wifi viable in this model. The original Compute Stick was a laggy mess and throttled almost immediately.mikejbradley - Monday, January 11, 2016 - link
I think everyone reading this forum knows what KODI is, and knows it runs on Linux, Android, MSFT. Nice to know we'll be able to buy Intel TV box sticks running at over 2 GHz on powerful skylake CPU'S, but Octacore ARMs are all that's needed for a nice Android gamer TV stick, and it's gonna be very difficult for Intel or MSFT to beat Google or Amazon running Android......Burns101 - Monday, January 11, 2016 - link
h265 and 4K capable?jesse123 - Monday, January 11, 2016 - link
I was looking at the Core 5m model to load the SteamOS onto and run indie game titles like Broforce and Meatboy. I thought it would be awesome to be able to have a console on a stick and a controller. But at that price, I can only say "Hell No!"457R4LDR34DKN07 - Monday, January 11, 2016 - link
I want to try and replace my Z77 ITX 3770 HTPC with this. It doesn't have the amount of memory I would like but the ability to put this on a 60" with a movable mount with minimal wiring and no mounting concerns is even more appealing than a NUC. With this generation, powering all my media extenders looks like a real possibility and should have enough horsepower with m3 or m5.watzupken - Tuesday, January 12, 2016 - link
I feel the idea of the Compute stick is very good, but the benefits are largely negated by the poor performance relative to its price. I believe with the pricing of the Core M variant, one might be better off getting an NUC which will be more powerful and allows for more RAM and storage.