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!

Rain
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. ;)
 

 
The Mac version will be out in 2017. It will do all the same things but will be conisdered way cooler because it will cost twice as much and you will have to queue up at midnight to get one  ;)

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.

They already have those - it's called an all-in-one computer, and functionally, it is not for me, not expandable, more of a toy (in my opinion) and only for people who have nothing to do on a real computer used for various activities like - well you know -- music, gaming, real-time applications, programs that run or need to run, and all of that.
 
Mini-computers for people who want a mini-life I guess.
 

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.

I'm looking at this the other way around.  I'm rationalizing that, if I can ever afford to get one, I want one of those huge 4K TV's but I'd be able to use it for my PC's as well as other home entertainment.  Someday...

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.

I might conceivably have a use for a plug in hobbled computer for my TV. 
 
On the other hand a wearable device that will tell my cell phone if I am sleeping or jogging...

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

dub put it how I thought it was... HDMI is standard these days!
SO I just want to be sure- that thing is basically a computer on a USB drive?