R**N
Too many compromises to compete against Intel, Lenovo, or Quantum
I wanted to like these. I bought several different compute sticks (total of 12) for a digital signage solution. The other two sticks were these:Lenovo Ideacentre 300https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014644NPI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1and these:Quantum Mini PChttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X4O6GRK?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s02Each represents a compromise of some sort; the Lenovo's are the cheapest, the Quantums are pricier but are a sealed unit with no fan and convection cooling, the Vensmile has a female HDMI jack and a slightly different form factor.For those that like going to the conclusion first, it's this: If you want the best value, buy the Quantum. If you want the absolute cheapest, buy the Lenovo.This stick, like the others, is a 1.33GHz USB-powered compute stick with 2GB memory and a 32GB internal drive. These all use Intel's compute stick reference architecture. It comes in a package with a zip-up case, an HDMI cable, a USB adapter, and a micro-USB power cable. It's actually reasonably nice packaging.Where does it lose points? The following:-- It has two microUSB ports, but only one for power. The labeling is not clear.-- It's wrapped in a weird, rubbery membrane. Unlike the Lenovos, it does not come with an adhesive pad to stick it to something. However you deploy this device, you have to come up with your own mounting solution.-- The default language on deployment is Chinese.-- Of the two, one triggered a Windows repair prompt out of the box and eventually booted into a crippled Windows desktop. The other took about half an hour to set up.-- The USB power adapter is a 'universal' (insert either direction) one. Downside is it feels like you're really having to jam it into the adapter to make it work.-- Wireless signal strength is atrocious. Plugged into the same TV, the Quantum had a -53db connection, the Lenovo a -59, and this one a -75db connection in the 2.4GHz signal band. It's also not a CCX-compatible chipset if you care about that sort of thing in a high-density environment. Wireless overall is bad; the 5GHz signal cuts out frequently, triggering roams to the 2.4GHz band. My AP's indicated these were the most roam-aggressive sticks deployed. Overall the wireless is just bad; I had to make sure the ones I purchased are located on signs within 10 feet of an AP (it's not an AP issue; literally everything else in the environment, including the Lenovo sticks with internal antennas, had no problem with this).The Quantums are the same price and offer an overall better set of capabilities. The female HDMI plug is nice -- it means you can use the HDMI cables you probably already have lying around. I can see some limited utility for using a canned presentation on a stick -- just plug it into your audience's TV and turn it on, and you'd be set. It's not good for digital signage, though, and the lack of mounting options and external antenna make it a bad choice for other more demanding environments.
R**T
great mini pc alternative runs MS Office
not sure why the negative reviews by others. only problem i had was connecting to my corporate wifi. i'll need to fiddle more, but i activated my hotspot on my phone and it connected right up. my coworkers windows 10 machine had issues connecting to the wifi also, so suspect it's a security setting in the router. i loaded MS Office and Acrobat and still had room to spare. i didn't run thru complicated spread sheets yet. it calls out 32gb internal memory, but when i check the disk properties only show less than 25. the microusb allows expanded memory. i tried with 32gb card and it worked fine. not sure if there is a limit. it calls out a 2.4 Ghz processor, but its only a 1.33 Ghz. i think the seller confused the wifi with the processor. i didn't knock the review of the product for this i think it's a seller issue.
B**B
it ok but not great
Would be 1 star if not for the price. Bought it to check out stick computers. Playing video, it stalls (video and sound) due to cpu regularly, perhaps because Windows update is also running in the background. Received today, plugged it in, and after the initial setup would connect to my modem and say internet was available, but not resolve any websites, not even the 192.168.0.1 modem config screen. Attached my usb netgear wireless adapter, it didn't have the driver of course. Downloaded the driver using my phone and transferred it to the computer. Netgear wireless adapter now works, so I got on the internet with the computer. All in all, it might be decent, and at 129 dollars, with a full version of windows, can't complain too much.
J**P
Cheaply Made....Falls apart easily
The product is very poor quality craftsmanship. The usb plugs did not power the unit and one of the plugs pulled apart after three times of putting the male end of the cord into the female part on the unit. There are no instructions on how to power up the unit, turn it on, or anything about operating it. And when you try to contact the manufacturer, they ignore your inquiries. I would give it 0 stars if Amazon allowed it.
A**R
One Star
wifi feature is awfull
L**L
DOES NOT COME WITH KEYBOARD/MOUSE
The Vensmile Next Star Elife works great. Update to Win10 installed perfectly. Received the computer 2 days after ordering, packaging was good and Pandora did great. I WAS slightly upset because I had believed that a wireless keyboard was included (because of one great review that was posted in the product reviews stream). I purchased a Logitech K400 wireless keyboard with touchpad at Best Buy for $19.95 plus tax. Perfect keyboard to compliment this inexpensive stick PC. Very satisfied with performance using one of 4 HDMI ports on big screen TV. Very easy to Velcro mount the tiny unit to the backside of TV. No issues at all with heat or WiFi. 👍🏼
Trustpilot
2 months ago
5 days ago
