PC-on-a-Stick

What Does PC-on-a-Stick Mean?

A PC-on-a-stick is a type of device that puts all the performance of a personal computer into a small drive that looks similar to a slightly larger version of standard flash drives and USB storage drives. PC-on-a-stick models allow for users to just plug them into an HDMI display to get a working, fully functional computer desktop.

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A PC-on-a-stick is also known as a stick computer, compute stick or stick PC.

Techopedia Explains PC-on-a-Stick

Like a flash drive, a PC-on-a-stick provides USB-connected memory on a small portable device. Unlike a flash drive, it also includes computing capability. In other words, along with data files, users can store executable software and operating systems on the small device — many available PC-on-a-stick models utilize versions of Windows operating systems. They come with up to 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage. Many companies have begun making PC-on-a-stick models for the convenience of users. Some concerns, though, involve security and how easily the smaller devices can get lost.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…