Intel Debuts More Powerful Compute Sticks

At CES this year, Intel debuted three new Compute Sticks with newer, faster processors and stronger Wi-Fi capabilities in a sleek new matte body with more ports. They measure about 4.5 inches long and 1.5 inches wide, they can be connected to your tv set with the HDMI port, so they can go anywhere.At base level, the new Compute Stick, which will retail for $159, has an Atom x5-z8400, 2GB of Ram, and 32GB of internal storage, and comes with Windows 10 preinstalled. It now has two USB ports (one USB 2.0 and one USB 3.0), whereas last year's Compute Stick only had one USB 2.0 port. It also now supports dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi, giving it a much stronger connection than last year's model.

Also, a new one with Core m3 processor and Windows 10 ($399) and the other a Core m5 processor and no OS ($499). Both are slightly larger than the Atom-based Compute Stick, and both have 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage.