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Google and ASUS Launch the $85 Chromebit, a Chrome OS Desktop on an HDMI Stick

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Re: Google and ASUS Launch the $85 Chromebit, a Chrome OS Desktop on an HDMI Stick

#41

Post by Sanddancer »

jsmeaton wrote: post #36
Sanddancer wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are a bunch of atom-based devices for a hundred dollars or so. One of the ones that looks tempting for me is the Kangaroo -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883722... -- $15 more than the chromebit, and you get twice the storage space, two usb ports, one of which is usb 3, and an all in all more interesting device.

That looks interesting, but it's out of stock in Australia at t he moment. It does say Intel HD graphics, but does that mean 1080p?

Yep, the video chip in it handles 1080p with no problem, and should handle 4k even.

Re: Google and ASUS Launch the $85 Chromebit, a Chrome OS Desktop on an HDMI Stick

#42

Post by avinassh »

peterhadlaw wrote: post #25
jsmeaton wrote: post #22

What I'm after is something that can run Kodi (xbmc) which links to a NAS for its media. Running Netflix is a nice to have. What devices are out there that I can use for this purpose? At the moment I have a fairly heavy htpc running Windows, but I have more tvs that I would like to use for similar purposes. Edit: Bonus if it can do 4k video, but 1080p minimum is a must.

Raspberry PI has pretty much what you're looking for. I one set up exactly for this purpose.

Raspberry Pi is not really good as a media player. It struggles for high quality high bit rate 1080p videos and it is limited with USB 2 and does not have gigabit ethernet.

Re: Google and ASUS Launch the $85 Chromebit, a Chrome OS Desktop on an HDMI Stick

#44

Post by DrScump »

jsmeaton wrote: post #36
Sanddancer wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are a bunch of atom-based devices for a hundred dollars or so. One of the ones that looks tempting for me is the Kangaroo -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883722... -- $15 more than the chromebit, and you get twice the storage space, two usb ports, one of which is usb 3, and an all in all more interesting device.

That looks interesting, but it's out of stock in Australia at t he moment. It does say Intel HD graphics, but does that mean 1080p?

The Kangaroo is unavailable in Australia?

Re: Google and ASUS Launch the $85 Chromebit, a Chrome OS Desktop on an HDMI Stick

#46

Post by Sanddancer »

tonteldoos wrote: post #4

I wonder how much it shares with the cromecast, and whether (possibly) being able to hack at this, will open up the chromecast a little. Should be interesting to watch, since I expect there might be a few spare chromecasts lying around now ;-)

According to the people who rooted the chromecast a couple years ago -- https://blog.exploitee.rs/2013/chromecast-exploiting-the-new... -- the chromecast is using a modified Google TV base. So any hacking between the two platforms wouldn't be easily transferred. Even with the chromecast 2, there probably won't be easily transferable exploits as that is using a Marvell chip at its core.

Re: Google and ASUS Launch the $85 Chromebit, a Chrome OS Desktop on an HDMI Stick

#47

Post by Sanddancer »

jmhain wrote: post #8
dil8 wrote: post #5

Can I install Arch on this?

Probably not easily, if at all. Additionally, it's ARM so you'd be limited to what's available in Arch Linux ARM. There's a Linux version of the very similar Intel Compute Stick for about $110 that you may be interested in.

Honestly, you don't want the Linux version of the compute stick. It's got a gig of RAM and 8 gigs of flash. Getting a windows stick for the increase in RAM and flash, and then doing a nuke and pave seems like a much easier route.

Re: Google and ASUS Launch the $85 Chromebit, a Chrome OS Desktop on an HDMI Stick

#48

Post by mappu »

hobs wrote: post #24
mappu wrote: post #17

See also: the Intel Compute Stick (RRP 150USD) which runs x86 windows, useful for basically the same scenarios but also Steam in-home streaming.

I heard it wasnt that great ( http://gizmodo.com/intel-compute-stick-review-don-t-buy-it-1... ) any personal experience?

I have one, no complaints whatsoever for streaming 1080p hi10p over wifi-n with kodi or MPC-HC.

I would agree with the article when it complains that (A) streaming requires good wifi, and (B) an Atom isn't as powerful a desktop workstation as an i3/i5. They seem self-evident to me and as an HTPC i'm quite happy with it.

Steam streaming was my specific use case, so now that the Steam Link is out, i might have purchased a cheaper arm device and attempted to port or RE its software.

Re: Google and ASUS Launch the $85 Chromebit, a Chrome OS Desktop on an HDMI Stick

#49

Post by toredash »

rtl49 wrote: post #18
vortico wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Although, cheap computers are certainly not hard to come by. A Thinkpad T60 is about $60 used, and its performance is similar to this device.

Maybe so, but I imagine one's grandmother would respond with more glee to receive this sleek little dongle than a clunky used Thinkpad T60. I'm not arguing that anyone in particular should go out and buy this product, only that some people are likely to do so of their own accord.

This I what I'm thinking. Good solution for someone that is not really into computers and technology.
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