The Intel Compute Stick (Core m3-6Y30) Review
by Ganesh T S on June 27, 2016 8:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Systems
- Intel
- Core M
- Skylake
- HDMI Stick
- Compute Stick
Miscellaneous Aspects and Concluding Remarks
Intel has also been putting some effort on the software side for the Compute Stick platform. One of the main problems with the platform is the limited availability of USB ports. This is somewhat alleviated in the Core M version, thanks to the two USB 3.0 ports in the power adapter. In certain situations (such as the 'entertainment' use-case), the consumer often has a second screen available (either a tablet or a smartphone). Intel has a free Android / iOS app - the Intel Remote Keyboard - to take advantage of the second screen.
The host application comes pre-installed on the Compute Stick and is active at startup as a service. Therefore, one can use it to even enter credentials for system login. It allows the second screen keyboard to act as the primary keyboard for the Compute Stick and the screen itself to act as a trackpad for the mouse pointer on the Compute Stick's display. In our evaluation, the app worked well. Our only wish is for the in-built keyboard in the app to have a 'Tab' key, and the keyboard to work properly when using a Powershell or Command Prompt window.
Moving on to the business end of the review, we complained in our previous Compute Stick reviews that 32GB of primary storage does not cut it on any computing device other than a tablet or smartphone. Fortunately, the Core m3-6Y30 Compute Stick solves that problem. The two USB 3.0 ports on the power adapter are very welcome. The Wi-Fi solution (2x2 AC8260 802.11ac PCIe WLAN) is also top-notch. The system is also able to bitstream HD audio for HTPC applications. BIOS options t have fine-grained control over the fans is also a nice aspect. Performance-wise, it is hard to find faults when keeping the form factor in mind.
The only complaint we have is the $390 price point. Even though that price includes the OS license, we find it difficult to recommend it in the home PC market - the Cherry Trail Compute Stick and the other sub-$150 Compute Sticks look to be a better option.
However, the SMB / enterprise market might find the Core M Compute Sticks more to their liking. Price is not such a huge deterrent in that market. The availability of vPro features (in the Core m5 model) and TPM (trusted platform module) shows that Intel intends these systems to be primarily adopted in that market segment.
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bill.rookard - Monday, June 27, 2016 - link
That's somewhat debatable IMHO. If there's one thing that's usually true: people never complain about having too much power, proper thermal and power management usually keeps that all under control. They always complain though if it's not powerful enough.Notmyusualid - Tuesday, June 28, 2016 - link
I have a use case for one of these...At home I have a Samsung 3D TV that I paid a fortune for, and other than the software / online side to the device, I'm very happy with. The issue is - after 4yrs, Samsung no longer updates their smart TV, and thus I cannot even finish a single episode of anything on iPlayer, without it rebooting. And the smart TV interface is painful to use.
I think this device would bridge the gap, and allow me to keep this TV another 4 years.
But that price...it won't convert well when it hits the UK shores...
felang - Tuesday, June 28, 2016 - link
Seems like a $50 Roku Stick might be just what you need.BrokenCrayons - Tuesday, June 28, 2016 - link
I hear that a lot. People jumped on the 3D TV and smart TV fads which are both are rapidly deflating markets making them unprofitable to continue to support from an OEM perspective. You're probably better off using a Roku or some other similar set top box. A compute stick seems like overkill for your usage scenario.Notmyusualid - Tuesday, June 28, 2016 - link
Thanks for all your answers.However, I don't stream Hulu, or Netflix, but only from the BBCs iPlayer, in accordance with my non-license-paying laws.
But I DO use Youtube, and have hated most every linux interface I've seen, so I really Need / Want a Windows user environment.
At $200 this would be an insta-buy. At $300, I dunno, I guess I'd have to be stateside to really decide, but when it lands at 299 GBP, they can stuff it. (that is my price GUESS).
I'll certainly be adding it to my Ebay 2nd hand search, just in case a fool dumps one cheaply...
erple2 - Wednesday, July 6, 2016 - link
Sounds like a Chromecast might work, too. BBC suggests that it should just work if you use the iPlayer app on your Android or iPhone.JackNSally - Tuesday, June 28, 2016 - link
I currently have an Amazon Firestick.It works really good for Netflix, Hulu, etc.
You can also put Kodi on it. It's not the most polished interface and experience but it does work.
I think you can do more with it too, I just haven't figured it all out.
Gunbuster - Monday, June 27, 2016 - link
My takeaway is that 2in1's have the potential to not suck if Intel would make Core-M pricing reasonable.TheinsanegamerN - Monday, June 27, 2016 - link
Yes, but this is intel we are talking about here.bill.rookard - Monday, June 27, 2016 - link
If Zen comes through with good cores at low enough power usage, we might see that pricing adjust somewhat.