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The 2 Best PC Sticks of 2022
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By Anton Galang Anton Galang Writer Northwestern University Anton Galang has 10+ years' experience writing and editing for publications like PC Magazine and PCMag.com. He specializes in consumer tech. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on March 3, 2021 We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Tweet Share Email Games & Consoles Accessories PC PS4 Xbox One Xbox 360 Nintendo Switch Tucking an entire PC onto a thumb-sized USB stick may sound like science fiction, but that's exactly what the best PC sticks manage. Like slipping a laptop into your pocket, these tiny computers let you do word processing, browsing, and even light gaming without lugging around so much as a laptop-sized chassis. Continue reading for our best PC stick picks, or head over to our best mini PCs roundup for more tiny computing options. The Rundown Best Budget: Terryza W5 Pro Mini PC at EBay Jump to Review Best Chrome OS: ASUS Chromebit CS10 at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Terryza W5 Pro Mini PC
Amazon View On EBay Another benefit to a tiny, portable PC you can use with your own displays and input devices is that they can come at reasonable costs. The W5 Pro Mini PC a great example, with a quad-core Intel Atom x5-Z8350 CPU that helps provide everything you need to get streaming video and basic desktop functions on your TV. There’s a configuration with 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of eMMC flash storage that does the job just fine, but you can also pay extra and get a performance boost from the higher-end version with 4 GB of memory and a 64 GB of storage. The W5 Pro comes in a compact 3.9-inch long case, cooled by a fan that makes very little noise. It offers Bluetooth and dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity, two USB ports for accessories, and a micro SD card slot to expand your storage. There’s a micro USB port for the included power adapter that you can plug into a wall outlet, but you can also power it using a portable power bank. This can come in handy when you’re on the go. The 7 Best Mini PCs of 2022 Best Chrome OS: ASUS Chromebit CS10
Walmart View On Amazon View On Walmart Google’s Chrome OS is a light and nimble operating system that takes advantage of the Internet and the cloud, so putting it use on the lightest and nimblest computers makes a lot of sense. This is exactly what Asus does with the Chromebit CS10, creating an effective portable PC with a very low price tag. Powered by a quad-core Rockchip RK3288C ARM-based processor and 2 GB of RAM, its performance won’t match up to a full Chromebook, but it can certainly do more than just video streaming like a Chromecast. The Chromebit includes a somewhat limiting 16 GB of built-in storage, but it comes with 100 GB of free Google Drive cloud storage for two years. It’s a big help to have your files synced and accessible from anywhere, rather than have to switch out additional SD cards or external hard drives for storage — especially considering the device comes with no micro SD card slot and only one USB 2.0 port. You’ll likely want to use the USB port for a wireless mouse/keyboard combo or a USB hub for more flexibility. Final Verdict We like Terryza's excellent W5 for a cheaper alternative. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Set an SD Card as Default Storage in Android How to Connect Steam Deck to a PC How to Remove Write Protection on a Micro SD Card 8 Things to Consider Before Buying a Desktop PC Which Microsoft Surface Is Best for You? How to Install Windows on Steam Deck How to Add Extra Storage to Steam Deck How to Increase Storage on a Laptop The Microsoft Surface 3 vs. Surface Pro 3 The 7 Best Mini PCs for Gaming in 2022 The 7 Best Mini PCs of 2022 The 6 Best Home Theater PCs of 2022 Samsung Galaxy A Phones: What You Need to Know How to Expand the Storage on Your iPad Acer ChromeBox CX13 Review: A Fast Mini PC The 8 Best Thunderbolt 3 and 2 Docks of 2022 Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies