Lenovo Challenges Intel With $129 PC on a Stick

Lenovo this week unveiled its first PC on a stick, the Ideacentre Stick 300.

The portable gadget works with HDMI-compatible devices. Plug it into the living room flat-screen TV, carry it to the office, or drop it into a suitcase during your next trip.

"We've looked at the computing needs of travelers, business people and families, and realized that a truly portable and affordable solution would be a significant benefit to users of all kinds," Jun Ouyang, vice president and general manager of Worldwide Desktop and Visuals at Lenovo, said in a statement.

The $129 dongle transforms almost any HDMI-compatible TV or monitor into a functioning Windows-based PC. Just attach a 2.4GHz wireless keyboard and mouse, and you'll be ready to create documents, surf the Web, and update social media.

"Imagine transforming the traditional TV in a vacation rental into a small multi-media hub, capable of streaming a movie, video chatting with relatives or editing a work document on the fly," Lenovo said in a news release. "Convert the dusty monitor lurking in a spare bedroom into a Web-enabled homework station, or transform a coveted man-cave into a home cinema."

The mini machine—which packs an Intel Atom processor, 2GB of memory, and 32GB of storage into only 0.59 inches—will ship with Windows 8.1, upgradeable to Windows 10 on July 29. It connects to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0.

"Our goal with the Ideacentre Stick 300 is to give those users a sense of freedom and enhanced mobility, while packing a serious punch in a small device," Ouyang said.

Recommended by Our Editors

4 Cool Things You Can Do With the Intel Compute Stick

The Lenovo Ideacentre Stick 300 will be available online and in stores next month.

The tech giant, however, isn't the first on the scene: Intel in January introduced its own PC on a stick, the Intel Compute Stick. For $150, you'll get the same Intel Atom processor, 2GB of memory, and 32GB eMMC Flash Storage.

For more, see PCMag's review of the Intel Compute Stick and the video below. Also check out How to Set Up Your Intel Compute Stick.