We took both for a test drive.
Theyre different products (with some big differences), but theyre clearly playing in the same space.
Theres a USB port for external storage or input devices, just in case.
Its powered by a Rockchip RK3288 processor, and packs 2GB of RAM.
You cancheck out the full specs here.
The Intel Compute Stick($146 at Amazon): Intels Compute Stick is made by Intel proper.
The newer version isa far sight better.
The Compute Stick also comes with Windows 10 preloaded.
Hardware-wise, its pretty impressive for its size.
Those are the basics.
Lets dive in to our comparison.
Once youre paired, enter with your Google account, and youre off and away.
Either way, the Chromebit is pretty much plug in, sign in, and get busy.
Thats certainly a benefit, but its also a drawback.
After your first round of Windows updates that take painfully long to installnot download, just installyoull understand why.
Plus, while it has 32GB of onboard storage, most of thatwillbe consumed by Windows and its updates.
At best, all youre carrying around is the Chromebit itself and its power adapter.
The Intel Compute Stick on the other hand is just as portable, even a little smaller.
Like the Chromebit, the Compute Stick needs an AC adapter for power.
At worst, you add either a combo keyboard/mouse to that, or Bluetooth peripherals.
Where the Chromebit stands apart a bit more is in how its OS handles being portable.
Google built Chrome OS to be completely portable, even between devices.
Hardware is great, but consider the portability of your data as well.
In fact, the Chromebit feels a bit more smooth and snappy to use.
If it sounds crazy, it isusing both felt odd.
Windows does as Windows does, and the cracks in the hardware show pretty quickly.
Theyre way too underpowered for anything intensive, especially games or anything graphically heavy.
