Intel Compute Stick (Linux) First Impressions

[pmrid]

I've had this thing for a few days now. It is the Linux (read "cheaper ") version. There is another which has Windows loaded and has better specs (RAM and storage) - no doubt to match the extra real estate demanded by Windows.

To compare - I ran it beside a fitPC2i (a dual-core Atom-based CPU with 2GB RAM). The CSL (Compute Stick with Linux) only has 1 GB of RAM. I loaded the same version of Linux - Ubuntu 14 - onto a SATA drive for the fitPC2i so they were both using essentially the same OS. Interesting results - the dual-core ATOM was hopelessly slow - too slow and slow to respond. It was too slow to be of any practical use in that configuration and was returned to it's Win7 form pronto.

So the CSL won that argument hands down.

Other PLUS items:
It loads FAST!!
It's tiny and can be installed out-of-sight.

BUT, it only has one USB port. This means you really need a USB hub to work with it. I ran a powered hub because the CSL only delivers 500ma to the USB port so anything more than a mouse and keyboard would cause trouble.

I decided to use a Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse combo with the wireless dongle attached to the hub. That worked fine. I also tried a small Bluetooth keyboard/mousepad device which also worked but I hate those mousepad things so that quickly went back into the cupboard.

I put a 64GB microSD card in the available slot. It was mounted automatically without issue.

The Wi-Fi works fine. No issues there.

Where I started to come unstuck was when I wanted to do an update - and was told that I had insufficient space to do it. I had loaded KStars/INDI/Ekos beforehand and nothing else. So running out of room this soon was a shock. I can see why people prefer to buy the Windows version of this device and load a Linux installation on an external drive.

I tried that too - on the CSL. It had no trouble with installing a Ubuntu image onto an external drive but it was starting to look a bit messy with cables going all over the place. There was a power supply for the CSL, a Power Supply for the Monitor. A power supply for the USB hub and cable to external devices. It started to look messy and I began to wonder why I did this instead of just plugging in the laptop. I don't have a sensible answer to that yet.

Peter

[GC - South Aus]

G'day Peter

Thanks for the information. I was considering doing this eventually, but with the Windows version.

Not saying I won't eventually, but has highlighted the need for some further research.

Cheers

Gav

[pmrid]

I've had more time with thiws thing and have some serious issues with it.

I loaded KStars first. That was fine. It installed properly and ran smoothly.

But then I had a look at what Linux/system updates were available and decided to download and install them. That's when it became apparent how limited the storage is. And I still haven't found a way to install programs to external drives and/or to run them from there. So there is a real bottleneck if you want to run some other things.

That became apparent as soon as I said yes to the update/install routine. It came back and said I had insufficient space to do it. The downloads amounted to 230MB (I guess that is in a compressed form). I checked and saw I had 800MB or so free. SO I removed several applications I didn't think I'd want - like most of the Office suite. I managed to get 1.1 GB free and the DL went forward. Afterwards the system reported to me that I only had 220MB available space left. So, it was time to consider going back to square one and reinstall the OS from the restore partition. There were no instructions for this and no info on the help file either. But I did find a way and it was to hit F8 post-boot. That gave me access to the restore function.

So I did a restore only to find it hung on me and reported a series of errors with missing dependencies. I was able to get it to boot again, and the original software was back again. But that warning is still there and won't go away.

All in all, this is looking like a device with very limited use - at least for me. I do wish I hadn't bought it - and gone with the Windows version instead.

Peter