New Delhi: Google and Taiwan's Asus have launched a "computer on a stick" which can plug into a display to turn it into a PC. For under $100 (Rs 6230), you're looking at a full computer that plugs right into your TV.
The stick comes in three attractive colors, and has a super-smart swivel on the business end so you can plug it into practically any HDMI socket without needing an extension cable.
The device is powered by a Rockchip RK3288 (with quad-core Mali 760 graphics) paired with 2GB of RAM, 16GB of solid state storage, 2x2 dual-band 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, and a single full-size USB 2.0 port on one end.
Google hopes to sell the device well to small businesses and third-world countries because of affordability and easy manageability.
$149 Chromebook
Apart from Chromebit, Google also launched announced several cheap Chrome devices, including Haier Chromebook 11 (available online at Amazon) and Hisense Chromebook (available at Walmart). Both are 11.6-inch Chromebooks will be available at $149, making them cheaper and affordable than most smartphones.
Haier and Hisense Chromebooks offer similar specifications with 2GB of RAM, feature two USB ports, 16GB solid flash storage, SD Card reader and HDMI output, as well as 720p webcam and WiFi and Bluetooth antennas.
$249 Chromebook Flip
ASUS also plans to launch a new "Chromebook Flip" convertible with the same internals later this spring for $249. Chromebook Flip will come with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display that flips all the way around so the device can be used in tablet mode.
Specifications of ChromeBit:
Rockchip RK3288 (with quad-core Mali 760 graphics)
2GB of RAM
16GB of solid state storage memory
a single full-size USB 2.0 port
Bluetooth 4.0
Smart Ready controller
WiFi 802.11 ac support
ARM Mali 760 quad-core GPU
