After products like MagicStick or MeegoPad T07, GOSTICK is yet another crowdfunding campaign for an Intel Atom Cherry Trail TV stick. The device does have some interesting specifications with an Intel Atom x7-Z8750 quad core processor, 4 to 8 GB RAM, and 64 to 128 eMMC flash.
There are three version of the stick GOSTICK Standard (4GB RAM/64GB flash), GOSTICK Enhanced (8GB RAM/64GB flash), and GOSTICK Extreme (8GB RAM/128GB flash) that beside different memory and storage capacity basically share the same specifications:
- SoC – Intel Cherry Trail Atom x7-Z8750 quad core processor @ 1.6 GHz/2.56 GHz (Turbo) with HD Graphics 405
- System Memory
- Standard – 4GB RAM
- Enhanced and Extreme – 8GB RAM
- Storage
- Standard and Enhanced – 64GB eMMC flash + micro SD slot up to 128 GB
- Extreme – 128 GB eMMC flash + micro SD slot up to 128 GB
- Video Output – HDMI
- Audio Output – HDMI + 3.5mm audio jack
- Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi 802.11ac, and Bluetooth 4.0
- USB – 2x USB 3.0 ports (5Gbps), 1x USB 3.1 type C port (10 Gbps), 1x micro USB port
- Power Supply – TBD
- Dimensions – N/A (but it looks fairly big for a stick)
The stick all run Windows 10 Home 64-bit. The specifications are very attractive, but the Indiegogo campaign has at least two red flags: flexible funding, and only 3D renders are provided, without pictures of the actual prototype that is based on x7-Z8700 (since x7-Z8750 is barely available). However, they have uploaded a demo video that’s said to run on GOSTICK with 4GB RAM, 64GB Flash, showing Windows 10 Home Info (it’s activated in the demo), Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop CS6, and Blender 3D graphics and animation software.
A potential backer also asked GO Technologies, the Singapore based company behind the project (third red flash: no working website, That’s the company website: http://www.gostick.com.sg/ which includes contact information, but I still can’t find whether the company is registered @ here), whether they could really get Atom x7-Z8750 in time to deliver on their schedule promise (April 2016), and the company provided a screenshot of an email allegedly coming from Intel showing x7-Z8750 should be available right now with 2 to 4 weeks lead time. He did not exactly do a good job at hiding the Intel’s sales person name though…
In case the project is indeed legit, pricing is quite attractive with GOSTICK Standard going for $169, and Enhanced and Extreme versions for respectively $199 and $219 with all three rewards including worldwide free shipping.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
Support CNX Software! Donate via cryptocurrencies, become a Patron on Patreon, or purchase goods on Amazon or Aliexpress
There are quite a few similar projects (even with more modest specs) on indiegogo and other crowdfunding sites. The costs should be higher, but they aren’t. you can see this one will (likely) crash and burn by the small response to it.
Looks like February 8th is the official switch over to the new models https://qdms.intel.com/dm/i.aspx/B98462C6-00E1-4402-8C27-0D3ABB4A0101/PCN114067-01.pdf
Description of Change to the Customer:
Intel will start transitioning from C0 stepping to D1 stepping for Intel® Atom™ x7-Z8700, Intel® Atom™ x5-Z8500,
and Intel® Atom™ x5-Z8300 processors. See the Pre-conversion C Stepping and Post-conversion D Stepping
products listed in the “Products Affected/Intel Ordering Codes” table below.
Summary of hardware & software changes from Intel® Atom™ x5/x7 processor C0 stepping to D1 stepping:
1. Increase max. CPU burst frequency
2. Fix 2 previously disclosed Alpha Blending and ASTC graphics errata
3. Implement new processor numbers with “50” added to processor number to distinguish the new D-stepping
parts. Example: C-stepping: Intel® Atom™ x7-Z8700 D-stepping: Intel® Atom™ x7-Z8750
4. Introduce new graphics branding with Intel® HD Graphics 400 for 12EU SKUs (Intel® Atom™ x5-Z8550
and Intel® Atom™ x5-Z8350), and Intel® HD Graphics 405 for 16EU SKU (Intel® Atom™ x7-Z8750).
The new Intel® HD Graphics 400/405 branding is only exposed via the Intel® HD Graphics Control Panel
under Windows OS.
5. CPUID will change from 0x000406C3 to 0x000406C4
http://mdata.com.sg is the website, but it’s not finished by the looks of it.
here is something similar:
VOYO V3 Windows 10 Intel Cherry Trail X7-Z8700 4K 64Bit 4GB/128GB 2.4G/5G Dual Band WiFi Gigabit LAN Type-C Bluetooth 4.0 TV Box Windows Mini PC Gold
@Oren E
This is the best, cheapest and most powerful pc stick yet. If it doesnt get response it’s only because of bad marketing
@Gabe
Finally they have a site: http://www.gostick.com.sg/
I missed it in the Indiegogo page yesterday, and Google did not know about it.
I see Ubuntu logo on the indiegogo site so Linux support is there?
Since it’s flexible campaign, will i loose my money if the goal isn’t reached?
@Fossxplorer
I would not trust that Ubuntu logo.
About your money. It depends. If the company already has other orders and is only using Indiegogo to complement those, I guess they would still manufacture the devices if they got 10 backers, and send the product to you.
If Indiegogo is their only plan, and they get 10 backers, I don’t think they’ll be able to go with mass production, and I’m not quite sure what happens with the money. They could probably refund it (minus Indiegogo fees?), or simply disappear with your money.
Seeing the info available on Indiegogo, I don’t see any hardware only 3D renders, as well as a Windows 10 demo on a machine with 4GB RAM, 64GB flash and an Intel Atom x5-Z8500 processors (which could be theirs or anything else).
@Fossxplorer
I’ve tested a similar Atom X5-Z8300 system and Ubuntu works on the latest daily builds, but it doesn’t work properly with any of the released versions.
Note that there’s no official support from Intel, so there won’t be any official graphics drivers, but it’s possible it’s the same as some of their other drivers.
@TLS
Even things like audio and Bluetooth work? That’d be good.
Seller responded that there is a small fan to keep the device cool running at 50 C…not sure if there is anything else hidden
@cnxsoft
I haven’t tested that to be honest, but the audio chip is a standard Realtek thing, so it should work. The Wi-Fi/Bluetooth module is also Realtek, so I don’t see any reason why the Bluetooth shouldn’t work. I’ll have a look at it later.
The VOYO V3 Windows looks promising…but we’re still not there yet.
I want a Mini PC in the style of the Beelink BT3 with a x7-Z8700, Dual Band 802.11ac, BT 4, at least 2 USB Ports and Gigabit Ethernet. Trust me…that would just fly off the shelves.
What I find interesting here is in the comparison with the Magicstick campaign, which was very poorly run, with so few real demos of the product that were also of rather poor quality, with quite high prices for the spec and yet it was oversubscribed.
Here we seem, on the surface at least to have something superior in specs at a lower price and with some semblance of demonstration about the capabilities of the stick and yet the number of backers is virtually zero.
The one thing that Go stick need to do is to show the actual stick used for their youtube demo to let people know that a physical product does actually exist.
Atom X7 is ridiculously hot, it will be impossible to run inside such a small form factor unless they lower the clock or use active cooling, which is unlikely to happen.
Where’s the mic jack for voice input?
Please advise me on how could input voice using the GOSTICK device (Mini PC).
@Marshmallow
It has a fan he said to me. Dont know why it was not mentioned in their campaign
Interesting GoStick product n it would be great if the mini gadgets that can have Excellent Sharpness Quality E.g DVD,Blu-Ray,4K Resolutions support > ***Built-in Recording Function n Play Back various types of Formats, Expanded Built-in-Storage Memory up to 1TB, 2TB, 3TB > various Models for individual consumer needs and to note affordable pricing …? SD Card Slot, USB Thump Drive input, Earphone/Speaker input, Audio Quality of 5.1 ,7.1 (DTES Enhanced Sound) AV-IN & AV-OUT input, FM Radio,Optical cable input, Wifi, Wireless,Remote Control…Etc External Lithium Battery Rechargeable that’s powerful n can last for at least 3-5days depending on the Usage Cos great for indoor & out-door Or Travel aboard. Thks in advance n wish U all the best Techno.?G?.