Pretty Slick: New Gadget Can Turn Any HDTV Into A Desktop Computer

http://www.iflscience.com/technology/intel-s-new-gadget-turns-any-hdtv-desktop-computer
 
Of course, it runs Windows.
But, let's be positive: that leaves room for improvement. ;)
 
Seriously, that's very cool.
Maybe I could re-open and export my old projects!

Intel has had their tiny NUC line of computers out for some time:
 
http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/nuc/overview.html
 
They might not be as cheap as that or plug directly into the back of a TV, but they are available with much more power.

I don't think this thing is intended to replace a desktop or a laptop. It merely adds a layer of functionality to a HDTV. 
 
Just like tablets and smart phones. Some people probably grow ulcers trying to argue how much they suck while others see an added opportunity to be creative and use them in conjunction with everything else. 
 
Those NUC look an awful lot like Mac mini (which has HDMI out). Not saying one's better - it's always subjective depending on one's needs. 
 
Technically, I can access media from all of our computers via our Apple TV. I don't miss the ability to run an actual Mac OS desktop on the TV.
 
But I still think it's a cool development.

Rain
I don't think this thing is intended to replace a desktop or a laptop. It merely adds a layer of functionality to a HDTV. 
 
Just like tablets and smart phones. Some people probably grow ulcers trying to argue how much they suck while others see an added opportunity to be creative and use them in conjunction with everything else. 

 
True, but being forced to run off USB power really limits the processing power and the form factor limits everything else. Thus I think the NUC (or Mac mini) is better and allows for much more flexible configurations. And smart TV's already let you stream stuff and even connect ASCII keyboards and surf the web. So I think it's a bit of a niche product.
 
But smaller and cheaper is always good.
 

Those NUC look an awful lot like Mac mini (which has HDMI out). Not saying one's better - it's always subjective depending on one's needs. 

The Intel NUC's are only 4" square, which makes the Mac not-so-mini by comparison (don't take that as a real knock on the Mac, as it's still very small and unobtrusive). At 4" square I start thinking, "Hmm, what could I build a computer into?".
 
I'd get one, but by the time you fully configure it the price is up there quite a bit.

Won't  most computers  made within last 5 years plug into a HDTV?  Aside from size, I'm  not really seeing much advantage. 

Already have a graphics card in my computer that can run HDMI to a HDTV as well as a computer monitor, but that 4K type stuff is also handled by the new Nvidia graphics drivers that give a regular monitor more resolution modes by the drivers, and as well a 5K device that is coming out.
http://www.guru3d.com/new...ith-5k-resolution.html

and of course, support for Dynamic Super Resolution (DSR) technology on GeForce GTX 400, 500, 600, 700 and 900 Series GeForce GTX graphics cards. (well, not quite 4K).
http://www.guru3d.com/fil...l-driver-download.html


But I can see my old monitor fine so all the gadgets just I guess is for someone else.