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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

#141

Post by hobs »

mappu wrote: post #48
hobs wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 purchase…

Cool, thanks.

I was thinking about buying one for parents but the whole bluetooth/wifi at the same time having problems spooked me, I will probably pick one up!

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

#142

Post by vinay427 »

Roritharr wrote: post #127

The pricing is ridiculous. In Germany it costs 120€. I really don't get why Google is constantly making their products so unaffordable here. That makes it slightly more expensive than the Intel Compute Stick with Win 8.1 which goes for 110€

There's a 15-25% VAT in most European countries as far as I know while state sales tax is added on top of the purchase price here in the US. That brings it closer to parity.

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

#143

Post by trarman »

make3 wrote: post #83
atmosx wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There is Intel's Compute Stick too[1] but I haven't try it yet. [1] http://www.intel.com/buy/us/en/product/desktop/intel-boxstck...

If it's x86/x86_64, it has a major advantage imho

It is, but it's also only got intel graphics. You won't be doing any 4k work on it. I have one and it's great for office work, but good luck getting a game to run even 1080p.

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

#144

Post by TelmoMenezes »

mark_l_watson wrote: post #139

I might have a use case for this. I bought a Toshiba Chromebook 2 this year and I am surprised how much I use it for work since it supports SSH shells, and my web based writing setup. I have a nice 1080p monitor sitting on my desk that I seldom use. With this device it could morph into an always setup desktop version of my Chromebook. I mostly just use my laptops when I need IntelliJ for coding tasks, otherwise "less…

I wish that every time people wrote "use case", they would ask themselves if removing "case" changes anything. Example:

I might have a use for this.

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

#145

Post by ytjohn »

This is great.

For the last several years, I have had a ChromeBox connected to my tv. If lets me play amazon video, netflix, regular hulu (non-plus), nickelodeon, and just about anything out there that doesn't require silverlight. In another room, I have plex serving up all my local media. A k400 wireless keyboard/trackpad combo makes it work anywhere.

Prior to that, I spent a lot of time messing with android sticks, either with android or putting linux on them. Neither Hulu or Amazon prime work on Android, and if you switched to linux, you couldn't get flash to work.

So while I probably won't be replacing my chromebox anytime soon (actually, I also like the better performance of having a wired network connection), I could see putting something like this on a monitor in my office. And if I want something more featured, I'm sure someone will get linux working on here ala crosh.

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

#147

Post by kolbe »

monochromatic wrote: post #9

I'm trying to figure out what in the world people are going to use these for. Single-app kiosk? Sure, but that's gotta be a tiny market. TV streaming box? Maybe, but it's not clear to me that it really offers anything I care about that isn't already done by Chromecast/Roku. I dunno. It's kind of a cool idea, but it feels like a solution in search of a problem.

I think it solves the problem of having to carry around a screen, mouse and keyboard with your everywhere. It turns your portable computing device from an all-in one, to the bare essentials. So, if all of places you use your laptop at all have these things (e.g. home/office/cafe), then you can carry your computer in your pocket, and plug-n-play when you get to the destination.

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

#148

Post by trarman »

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 also have one, and it's great for office tasks. Nice to be able to fit a functional PC in your pocket. Windows 10 runs decently on it. The Gizmodo review was negative because you couldn't play games on it. It's definitely not a games machine, although I have been able to play World of Warcraft on it.

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

#149

Post by tim333 »

vinay427 wrote: post #142
Roritharr wrote: post #127

The pricing is ridiculous. In Germany it costs 120€. I really don't get why Google is constantly making their products so unaffordable here. That makes it slightly more expensive than the Intel Compute Stick with Win 8.1 which goes for 110€

There's a 15-25% VAT in most European countries as far as I know while state sales tax is added on top of the purchase price here in the US. That brings it closer to parity.

Adjusting for 19% vat and one euro = usd 1.07 that would make the price EUR 95. It's annoying when the prices get jacked up. I guess they are probably giving a middle man some cut but it's unnecessary these days. Just sell direct and don't bother discriminating against non US persons.

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

#150

Post by skrowl »

jon-wood wrote: post #106
rplnt wrote: post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yet TVs still ship with crappy and slow interfaces for some reason.

I'm still hoping the smart TV thing will turn out to be a brief fad, and we can all get back to just buying a dumb screen that other things can be plugged into. The software on TVs I've experienced is universally awful, my parent's one is particularly bad - you can go and make a cup of coffee in the time it takes for the Netflix app to start. When I heard that I bought them a FireTV stick and haven't looked back.

Stupid licensing will prevent this, I'm afraid.

I have a nVidia Shield TV plugged in to my 4K Smart TV that I do almost everything on, but I still have to use the smart TV app for Amazon Instant since Amazon stubbornly refuses to release it for stock Android.

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