Intel’s next tiny computer stick might use Core M chip

The next-generation versions of Intel’s bite-size Compute Sticks might use the company’s Core M mobile chips.

According to a report by Notebook Italia, an Intel spokesperson said future iterations of the stick may use the processors.

The Compute Stick is Intel’s attempt to make computers hyper-portable, although consumers shouldn’t expect powerhouse performance from the device.

It works by plugging into a HDMI display port – on your TV for instance – turning any monitor into a computer.

The first-generation stick makes use of an Intel Atom Z3735 Bay Trail processor paired with 2GB of RAM.

Unfortunately, reviewers largely criticised the device over its underwhelming performance.

Intel hopes to rectify this issue next time around, the an Intel Core M processor may do just the trick.

Related: Raspberry Pi 2 review

The Core M is a big milestone for Intel, as it’s the first laptop-grade processor that draws such little power that it doesn’t require a built-in fan.

It almost seems as though the Core M was made for a device like the Intel Compute Stick, so it’ll be interesting to see how the next iteration performs under pressure.

We’d expect to see significantly better heat dissipation than the Atom – about twice as much – as well as big improvements to computing and graphical performance.

The Core M processor, however, is currently both more expensive than the Atom chip and the Compute Stick itself. Pricing might be an issue, then…