Intel Compute Stick

Soon you’ll be able to transform your TV set into a computer using a device no larger than a pack of chewing gum

What is it?

A four-inch dongle, powered by a quad-core processor, that comes pre-loaded with either Windows 8.1 or Linux. You can plug it into the HDMI slot on your TV, effectively turning your set into a computer, with your Desktop appearing on screen. You can then control it using a wireless or Bluetooth keyboard and mouse (which you’ll need to buy separately). The Compute Stick can also be fitted into any monitor with an HDMI slot.

On the official page for the Compute Stick (www.snipca.com/15019) Intel says it’s “everything you love about your desktop computer in a device that fits in the palm of your hand”. That’s a pretty good description.

Ultimate Playstation Trivia Book. Vol. 4

We’ve gathered together over one thousand of the juiciest facts, figures and shocks from the world of playstation to educate your brain and tickle your funny bone. Topic 301-403.

301. Snake’s moustache in MGS4 is based on Hollywood Western actor Lee Van Cleef’s.

302. When Harmonix was developing the Rock Band Network (which lets bands put their music into games across the series) it was codenamed Rock Band: Nickelback because the studio assumed no one would care if they saw it and it wouldn’t be leaked.

303. At one point, Tekken was going to have an extra character called Sake. He’d be a fish whose only response would be to fall on the floor and flop about.

Asus Zenbook UX303LA

A sleek and powerful ultra-portable laptop

The MacBook Air is one of our favourite laptops for some very simple reasons -it’s stylish, lightweight, sturdy, has excellent battery life, a quality screen and a very comfortable touchpad and keyboard. It’s a simple formula that makers of Windows laptops have struggled to achieve - until now. The Asus Zenbook UX303LA is the first Windows ultra-portable laptop we’ve seen that matches Apple’s flagship MacBook Air.

The UX303LA has a classy, sturdy metal build. Despite this metal construction, it’s very light at just 1.4kg, rising to 1.7kg with its charger. Combined with its lengthy battery life of just under 13 and a half hours, it’s ideal for working while on the move.

Imagination Technologies MIPS Creator CI20

A speedy rival to Raspberry Pi

Single-board computers are remarkably popular at the moment, spearheaded by the success of the Raspberry Pi. They’re used by hobbyists to control everything from Morse-code transmitters to robots, but are also fully functioning PCs that can be used for browsing the web, watching videos and programming.

Imagination Technologies is best known for developing the PowerVR graphics chip used by a number of tablet manufacturers, including Apple and Samsung. Imagination’s new £50 CI20 single-board computer has a PowerVR SGX540 graphics chip, which broadly performs on a par with the Broadcom VideoCore IV found in the Raspberry Pi. Like the Pi, therefore, the CI20 has no trouble playing 1080p videos.

Bush MyTablet 8 Inch

A Windows 8.1 tablet with Office for just £100

Bush is a company best known for cheap and cheerful white goods, such as washing machines and fridges, so we weren’t expecting much from its £100 Windows 8.1 tablet. We were therefore pleasantly surprised by the MyTablet 8 Inch. It may have an unimaginative name, but this little tablet has a lot going for it.

We expected the plastic casing to be cheap and flimsy, but the plain silver-andblack construction is rigid and sturdy. However, the narrow borders on the left- and right-hand edges of the screen means, when you hold the tablet vertically, getting a firm grasp without accidentally touching an onscreen control is difficult.