14 DAY TRIAL // In case you believe Intel Compute Stick is a marvel of technology, you need to read our review and think again. If you still think highly of Intel Compute Stick even after that, you'd probably be happy to hear that ASUS is joining the stick-sized PC bandwagon with its VivoStick.
What Intel managed to do when it launched Intel Compute stick is basically leaving the entire IT industry in offside about how Intel imagined portability. The idea of selling a PC the size of a USB stick was something that nobody expected, or even thought possible. Did it work? Well, check our review and find out.
In the meanwhile, ASUS, along with Lenovo and Microsoft, bought into the whole Intel Compute Stick magic and launched its own VivoStick, that's basically a clone of Intel's Compute Stick. Or is it?
Better than the Intel Compute stick, but still a Compute Stick
Apparently not so much, it's a lot less clunky and wire-bound, looks less of a prototype as Intel Compute Stick does; it has that one much, much-needed extra USB 3.0 port, and even a headphone jack for good measure. CPU-wise, it also one-ups Intel's Atom CPU with a Cherry Trail model, which is even more powerful.
The rest of it is still pretty similar; it has 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage and works just like the Compute Stick does, just plug it into any HDMI TV, add a keyboard and mouse, and behold, Windows 10 will start booting.
We mentioned in our review that Intel Compute Stick is really interesting in design just as much as any prototype would be: a beautiful design concept that's useless as a brick. It can elevate itself above the brick's level when more RAM memory and processing power are available, but until then it's more of a hassle than a blessing.
The VivoStick also sells for $31 less than the Intel's Compute Stick so it could be somehow worth your money. Unfortunately, availability has yet to be determined.