PC-on-a-stick
Latest
ASUS unveils the Intel-powered, Windows 10 VivoStick
Intel generated a storm of interest when it launched the HDMI-based Compute Stick, but is anybody willing to buy a tiny, underpowered PC? Who knows, but ASUS has just launched its own model that trumps Intel's in nearly every way. It's a lot less clunky-looking and one-ups Intel's Atom CPU with a Cherry Trail model, while adding an extra USB 3.0 port and headphone jack for good measure. Otherwise, it has the same 2GB of RAM and 32GB storage, and works in the same way: You plug it into any HDMI TV, add a keyboard and mouse and then compute away on Windows 10.
Linux lands on Android 4.0-toting MK802 mini PC
If the MK802 piqued your interest but has you pining for Ubuntu, Linux Questions forum user michaelfisk has a solution. The secret sauce is a pre-baked image of Ubuntu 10.04 modified for a different device using the same 1.5 GHz Allwinner processor. Simply slide a microSD card prepped with a bootable image of the distro into the mini PC and you're set. Though Lucid Lynx can be coaxed to run on the $74 mini PC without considerable hassle, performance isn't exactly top notch -- unseemly load times and a few kinks are reportedly throughout the experience. Eager to load up your Cotton Candy competitor with Linux? Hop past the break to see Liliputing give it a test drive or hit the links below for walkthroughs and the appropriate download.
$74 MK802 PC-on-a-stick beats Cotton Candy to market, has ICS on board
Unless you're lucky enough to live in Scandinavia, you'll have to wait till the end of summer to get your Cotton Candy fix. Aching to nab yourself a computer-on-a-stick before then? If you're willing to step down in specs, the Chinese-made MK802 could be the PC in your pocket. For $74 (versus $199 for the Cotton Candy), this 7-ounce device gives you a 1.5-GHz Allwinner A10 CPU, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of storage and, like the Cotton Candy, Android 4.0. FXI's version, on the other hand, packs a dual-core 1.2-GHz Samsung Exynos processor, and while the MK802 offers an HDMI port, the Cotton Candy includes an HDMI connector. The MK802 is slightly bulkier than its sweetly named competitor (3.5 inches vs. 3.1), but that Android logo on the front does wonders for its design cred. AliExpress.com is currently selling the MK802 with free shipping to the US -- click the source link for a gander.
Lockheed Martin introduces 'PC on a stick' flash drive -- yes, Lockheed Martin
Our coverage of Lockheed Martin here on Engadget normally focus on things like laser weapons or futuristic airships, but it looks like the mega-defense company is now trying its hand as something a little closer to home for us: an ultra-secure USB flash drive. As you can see above, that's done with a little help from the folks at IronKey, but Lockheed Martin does seem to have made its new IronClad its own, and included some custom software that promises to let you carry your entire computer with you and securely use it on any public computer. Of course, exact details are a bit hard to come by, but the drive is available with "at least" 8GB of storage, and includes 256-bit encryption, built-in virus protection, and a variety of networking features that will let organizations keep watch on individual drives and control what can or cannot be installed on them. No word on pricing, but Lockheed Martin is apparently ready to talk with any companies that are interested in using the drives.
