14 DAY TRIAL // Here you go, Microsoft just announced a $140 PC on a stick. Made together with Indian tech manufacturer iBall, the Splendo, that's what it's called, is basically a USB-sized PC on a stick that runs Windows 8.1.
Powered by an Intel Atom quad-core processor with 2GB of RAM and 32GB onboard storage, it's basically the portable pocket PC you'll ever need. Connect that to any HDMI monitor or SmartTV and you have this portable PC ready.
Worry about available mouse and keyboard? Not anymore, the Splendo package comes together with a wireless desk set, all you have to do is plug the device in any HDMI device, and it's done.
The Splendo offers a wide array ports and modules including an HD graphics card, a multi-channel digital audio card, MicroSDXC card slot and ports to plug in USB and Micro USB peripherals, and also can support wireless devices over Bluetooth 4.0.
Better not lose it
Vineet Durani, director of Windows Business Group, Microsoft India, said “The iBall Splendo is for people who love devices and want to be connected all the time using multiple form factors. These users are tech enthusiasts who love gadgets, have access to multiple TVs at home, love the Smart TV experience and use Windows for browsing, social networking and multimedia consumption.”
However, Microsoft arrived a bit late at the party as Google already launched the dual USB/HDMI microcomputer Cotton Candy in April. Although packing double the internal storage and coming with either Dual-core ARM Cortex A9 1.2 GHz CPU or a Quad-Core ARM Mali 400MP GPU, it also offers the ability to install open source Linux or Android operating system, while having the only drawback that it comes with only 1GB of DRAM.
When it comes to Splendo, it remains to be seen if it'll support Windows 10 OS in the future, and it remains unlikely actually to permit installing other operating systems except Windows.