Difference Between HP Stream Mini and Intel Compute Stick

Here, we have done an interesting comparison and have identified some important differences between HP Stream Mini and Intel Compute Stick, the two innovative devices introduced at the CES 2015. In CES 2015, HP introduced a completely redesigned mini desktop computer, which takes the shape of a small cuboid that can be hold on to a palm. On the other hand, Intel introduced at the same CES 2015 a device similar to a USB thumb drive that can be directly plugged into a TV to make it a computer. When the portability is considered, Intel Compute Stick is much lighter and smaller than the HP Stream Mini. Also, when HP Stream server needs an external 45W power supply, Intel Compute stick can be given power by just using a USB. But one drawback of Intel Compute Stick is that it is so small that there is no space for interfacing slots. While HP Stream Mini has 4 USB port and an Ethernet port, Intel Compute stick has only one USB 2.0 port. HP Stream Mini is targeted to be used as a personal computer while Intel Compute Stick is targeted to be used a media streaming device.

HP Stream Mini Review – Features of HP Stream Mini

HP Stream Mini is a mini desktop computer designed by HP that takes approximate dimensions of 5.73 in x 5.70 in x 2.06 in. The weight is about 1.43 lb and the device takes the shape of a rounded cuboid. Though it is a desktop computer, it is much portable where it can be even held on the palm. The operating system running on the device is Windows 8.1, which is, currently, the latest Windows version. The processor is an Intel Celeron processor that comprises two cores that can go up to a frequency of 1.4 GHz and has a cache of 2 MB. The RAM capacity is of 2 GB where the modules are DDR3 low voltage RAMs with 1600 MHz frequency. If necessary, the RAM capacity can be upgraded up to 16 GB. The hard disk is an SSD and hence the performance would be great, but the drawback is that the SSD is just 32 GB. A RJ-45 port is available to connect the device to an Ethernet network while the inbuilt Wi-Fi makes sure that the device can be connected to a wireless network as well. Bluetooth 4 support and a memory card reader is also built-in. For connecting the displays, two ports are available; namely, HDMI and display port. The device supports multiple displays where one display can be connected to the HDMI port and another one to the display port simultaneously. 4 USB 3.0 ports are available to connect a variety of devices and also a head phone/microphone jack is available. The price of the device is around $ 179.99. Power is supplied by a 45 W external power adaptor.

Intel Compute Stick Review – Features of Intel Compute Stick

Intel Compute Stick is an innovative design of a new generation of computers. It was introduced at the CES 2015. It is a very small and lightweight device where the size is slightly larger than Google Chromecast. It is like a USB thumb drive where, instead of plugging into a USB port, this device is directly plugged into the HDMI port of a device like a TV or a monitor. The primary objective of the device is to be used as a media streaming device, but there is no restriction that it cannot be used as a PC. The device has an Intel Atom Processor, which has four cores that run up to a frequency of 1.83 GHz with a cache of 2 MB. There are two editions where one runs Windows 8.1 as the operating system and the other runs Linux as the operating system. Windows version is about $ 149 while the Linux version is about $ 89. Windows version has 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of embedded flash memory as storage. The Linux version has 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of flash memory. But both editions have a Micro SD card slot that can be used to expand the storage capacity. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities are inbuilt so that it can be easily networked. But one missing thing with respect to networking is the Ethernet port. The HDMI port is a full sized HDMI port that fits directly into the HDMI slot of a TV or a monitor without the necessity of any additional cable. Power to the device must be supplied via the micro USB slot in the device. There is another USB 2.0 port th at can be used to plug any USB device. Since only one port is available, there would be a difficulty to simultaneously plug both a mouse and a keyboard but with a small USB hub this is doable. Or else, a Bluetooth mouse or a keyboard can be easily connected as Bluetooth capability is inbuilt.

What is the difference between HP Stream Mini and Intel Compute Stick?

• HP Stream Mini is a 5.73 in x 5.70 in x 2.06 in round cuboid that can be held even on palm. The shape of the Intel Compute stick is similar to the shape of a USB thumb drive where the size is slightly bigger than a USB thumb drive. But this device is smaller and lighter than HP stream server.

• The weight of Intel Compute Stick is very much lesser than the weight of the HP Stream Mini.

• HP stream Mini has an Intel Celeron 2957U processor that has two cores that run at a frequency of 1.4 GHz with a cache size of 2 MB. Intel Compute stick, on the other hand, has a Quad-core Intel Atom Z3735F processor that the base frequency is 1.33 GHz and the burst frequency it 1.83 GHz. The cache is similar which is 2 MB.

• HP Stream Mini is Windows 8.1 installed while Intel Compute Stick has two editions where one runs Windows 8.1 and the other runs Linux.

• HP Stream Mini is around $ 179.99. Windows version of Intel Compute Stick is $ 149 while the Linux version is just $ 89.

• HP Stream Mini has a RAM of 2 GB. Windows version of Intel Compute stick has 2 GB of RAM while the Linux version has just 1 GB of RAM. If necessary, the RAM on HP Stream Mini can be upgraded up to 16 GB while the maximum memory supported by the Intel Compute Stick is 2 GB.

• HP Stream Mini has an SSD of 32 GB for storage where the Windows version of Intel Compute Stick has 32 GB of embedded flash memory as storage. The Linux version of Intel Compute stick has just 8 GB of flash memory.

• Power to the HP Stream Mini is provided by a 45W external powersupply. But power for the Intel Compute stick is provided using a micro USB connection.

• In HP Stream Mini, there are four full-sized USB 3.0 ports while, on the Intel Compute stick, there is only one USB 2.0 port.

• HP Stream Mini has an Ethernet port while this is not present on Intel Compute Stick.

• HP Stream Mini has both a HDMI port and a display port hence dual displays are supported. But, on Intel Compute stick, only one HDMI port is available and hence only one display can be connected.

Summary:

HP Stream Mini vs Intel Compute Stick

HP Stream Mini is designed to be used as a mini Desktop computer while Intel Compute Stick is designed to be used as a media streaming device. The lack of enough USB ports is the only drawback of the Intel Compute Stick that make it bit hard to be used as a desktop Computer but, if needed, that can be solved with a pair of Bluetooth mouse and keyboard or simply a USB hub. When portability is considered, Intel Compute Stick, which is slightly larger than a USB thumb drive, is much easy to carry rather than the 1.4 lb box shaped HP Stream Mini. Both devices have 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal memory. The processor on Intel Compute stick is a quad-core Intel Atom processor while the processor on the HP Stream Mini is a dual-core Intel Celeron Processor. But the difference is that the processor on the HP Stream Mini is a desktop processor while the processor on the Intel Compute stick is a less power consuming mobile processor. Therefore, HP Stream Mini need an external 45 W power supply while the Intel Compute Stick is USB powered. So, one who needs a powerful desktop computer for general purpose computing should go for the HP Stream Mini. One who needs a much portable device for purposes such as media streaming should go for the Intel Compute Stick.

Images Courtesy:

1. HP stream mini via HP website
2. Intel compute stick via Intel website