My assumption was that I look at only computers which can run the full version Windows 10. At shops, you can buy a very wide range of pieces of equipment which can do it. Usually, when people look for a new device focus on the performance, operating systems, brand, appearance and so on. But if you start searching for only one specific feature, you might be surprised how much curious that comparing is. On the Internet, it is easy to find rankings of the best devices at something. However, those rankings are focused on the most desired features, I want to look for the smallest computer with Windows just for fun.
So it isn't a guide and even a description of those computers, it is an answer to a question: How small useful computers can people make now? I have two winners.
(Below I point out sizes of computers in inches. If you want to compare them with something, one pound has about 0.92" inch diameter)
Intel’s Compute Stick
Size: 4.06” x 1.46” x 0.47” inch
Wow! And it is a full version computer with a processor, graphics, RAM memory, flash memory and HDMI connector. If you use it with wireless accessories, it can be an invisible computer hidden behind the monitor. Intel's computer is very interesting proposition and you can buy it easily on Amazon. It costs about 120 pounds. For me, this price is too high for this specification, but I understand it must be difficult to fit all components in that small case and potential owners buy it more as a gadget than a basic computer to work.
Not only Intel produces that kind of computer, you also can find products from other companies. One of them is Quantum Access LAN Windows® 10 Fanless Mini PC Stick, which is very similar to Compute Stick but it is bigger and the price is the same (size: 5.79" x 4.69" x 1.61" inch).
UP Core
Size: 2.22" x 2.6" x ? inch
This computer is advertised as "the smallest QuadCore x86 single board computer with stackable expansions".
It sounds good, but UP Core is available only in the pre-order and whole project is funded by crowdfunding. It still is not realized the project, so maybe I shouldn't have written about it. But the concept is so interesting and if everything goes well, it will be "a new king" of small computers, especially because it seems to be more powerful than Intel products and other available on the market.
I'll be keeping eye on its development and I highly recommend you do it as well.
Special Windows for Raspberry Pi
At the end of this article, I want to notice that you can use the special version Windows for Raspberry Pi - Windows IoT (so it's not the full version). This Windows is available free of charge and it makes Raspberry computers more attractive and gives us new opportunities how to use them in our projects.
