10 Uses for a Mini PC that Fits in Your Hand

We’ve all seen the mini Internet streaming sticks to plug into the HDMI port of your TV, namely the ROKU Stick, Fire TV, Chromecast, and a few more.  But did you know you can also purchase a mini PC stick for your TV too?

How cool is that?  A mini PC you can easily pack up and take with you anywhere! We recently tested the Azulle Access3 Mini PC Stick.  Having never used one before, I was curious to see how families could take advantage of it.

But first, let’s cover the features of the Access3 Mini PC Stick…

Features:

• Quad Core 1.10Ghz to 2.20 GHz processor
• 2GB /4GB
•  Windows 10 Pro
• Dual Band 2.4Ghz.5.0Ghz WiFi + 1 Gigabit LAN Ethernet
• Intel HD Graphics 500
• 4.0 Bluetooth
• 1 HDMI port
• 2 3.0 USB ports
• MicroSD card slot (up to 256 GB)
• 3.5 audio jack
•  5.2in x 2in x 0.75in in size

As you can see, in such a small size package, Azulle included a lot of features.  The Access3 Mini PC Stick is not meant for graphic-intensive work like video editing and intense gaming.  Yes, it has a quad-core processor, but it’s not a super speedy one to handle a heavy load.

You’re probably wondering, how do you control the mini PC, right?  Easy, there are 3 USB ports, so you can plug in a corded or wireless mouse and keyboard.  You can also use a Logitech wireless keyboard or use the Lynk multifunctional remote.

So what can you do with a mini PC stick? 

10 Uses for a Mini PC Stick

Here are some great ways you can use a mini PC stick…

1.  Use it as a PC

Yes, you don’t just have to plug the Access3 Mini PC Stick into a TV.  Plug it into an HDMI monitor and you’ve got an instant computer, perfect for browsing and checking email. 

If you think about it, it’s the perfect PC for kids.  There are few wires, the mini PC hides behind the PC monitor, and it takes up no visible space.

Take it with you when traveling or if the kids need a PC while visiting their grandparents (and your parents don’t want your kids using their PC).

It’s also great to take to the office if you want to keep your personal stuff separate from your work PC.  Or take it on the road to keep your familiar desktop, Internet bookmarks, pictures, and documents close at hand. 

Plug it into the TV at your hotel or into a hotel lobby PC monitor, a friend’s monitor, or wherever.  Your PC will be up and running in no time.

2.  Internet Surfing

Turn any TV (smart or dumb) into a smarter TV simply by plugging in the Access3 Mini PC Stick. 

Make it easier for everyone in the room to see a website, whether you’re shopping on eBay, choosing a recipe to make for dinner, working on the family tree, singing karaoke together (with lyrics to read on your screen), researching something, or opening pics and files through Dropbox.

I host a women’s book club and I used the Access3 Mini PC Stick to access the Internet to watch the videos that went along with what we are reading.  It is really helpful.  Before I was showing the videos from my 15-inch laptop, it was hard for everyone to see them.

3.  Streaming

Any streaming site that’s available online you can access with the Access3 Mini PC Stick.  Watch movies and TV shows from:

• YouTube
• Netflix
• Hulu
• Amazon Prime
• HBO Now
• ABC
• NBC
• CBS
• and more

You can also save movies on an SD card, plug it into the Access3 Mini PC Stick to watch movies – even your home videos.

Great for on the road; you can watch your favorite movies in hotels.  No more paying for on-demand movies, yay!

4.  Photo Slideshows

See your pictures from your online cloud accounts like Dropbox, Box, Google Photos, and more on the Access3 Mini PC Stick and your TV. 

Taking pictures during a party that you’d like to show on the TV?  Simply insert the SD card from your camera into the SD card slot on the mini PC.

5.  Gaming

There are a TON of games available for Windows PC’s.  You’ll know if the game is too graphic intense by the way the Access3 Mini PC handles it. 

Gaming provides a fun break from work when traveling or for the kids to give them something to do in a hotel room.

Many gaming console gaming accessories work with PC’s, so you can plug them in.  Also, with Xbox One, you can use the Access3 Mini PC Stick to access your gaming console through your network in another room.

6.  Presentations

The last major presentation I did was at a board meeting.  We were holding the meeting at the offices of one of my fellow board members. 

I arrived early to set up my laptop to their TV, but they had a PC system already set up.  It was a bit complicated and my fellow board member didn’t exactly know how to use it.

I eventually figured it out, but more time had passed than I was prepared for.  The meeting started a little late. 

It doesn’t matter how well prepared you are, if you don’t have a projector or TV you can display your presentation on, you will lose your audience.

The beauty of the Access3 Mini PC Stick is that I can already have my presentation on the mini PC stick and then simply insert it into one of the TV’s HDMI ports. 

As soon as it boots up, I can load my presentation and be ready to go.

No more worrying about the system I will be using and how it works.  With this mini PC, I now have control.  It’s great.

7.  Video Conferencing

You no longer need to crowd around your family PC to Skype your family members who live far away. 

Just plug in a webcam into the Access3 Mini PC Stick (which is plugged into your family room TV) and open up Skype, Google Hangouts, GoToMeeting, WebEx, Zoom, ooVoo, and more.

Now you’ll have a bigger view of family members on your TV and everyone can sit comfortably on the couch while you chat with other family members and friends through video conferencing.

8.   Music Streaming

Play your favorite music videos or songs from YouTube, Pandora, Spotify, Slacker, iTunes, Sirius FM, Google Play, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and more.  Let it play in the background while you work, cook, etc.

Also, you can play your audible books using the Access3 Mini PC Stick and your TV.  Take with you from room to room as your day progresses.  Use it in your office during the day and your family room at night.  

9.  Large Picture Frame

Using your TV, plug in the Access3 Mini PC Stick, and search the Internet to showcase a favorite picture or work of art. 

Perhaps you’re having a party and want to use the TV to show a picture rather than a black screen.  Or pull up a burning fireplace from YouTube to set the mood.

During our book study, I pulled up a fireplace with a Christmas tree video to make the room seem cozier as we discussed the last chapter of our book.  Some have music, but you can turn the volume down if you just want the “look and feel.”

Another idea is to pull up a bad static TV signal for a prank. We actually used this YouTube video on our TV for our haunted Halloween party.  The static TV brought back memories of my youth!

10.  Cooking Assistant

Have you ever wanted to bring your PC into the kitchen to watch how to make something?  Now it’s easy.  Just plug the Access3 Mini PC Stick into a PC monitor through its HDMI port and move it into the kitchen. 

Using a wireless keyboard (here’s the lightweight Logitech one we suggested for Christmas), search Google for recipe videos to follow along.

Many keyboards have a pause button to pause a video until your next step.  When you’re done, just take the monitor back and plug it back into your desktop PC and have the Access3 Mini PC Stick available for the next time.

How is a Mini PC Stick Different from a Smart TV?

Good question.  You might even ask, is it necessary to have both?  It depends on your needs.

First, the Mini PC Stick is portable and can be taken to another room or travel with you.

Second, the Mini PC Stick includes Bluetooth, so you can easily hook up wireless mice, keyboards, headphones, and more.  A Smart TV doesn’t have Bluetooth.

Third, the Mini PC Stick has 3 USB ports to plug in gaming controllers, wired accessories, and transfer files via USB to use on your Mini PC Stick.  The Smart TV does not have storage.

Fourth, the Mini PC Stick provides a full Windows environment allowing you to do anything you could do on a regular PC (as long as it’s not graphic-intensive).  A Smart TV provides Internet access and apps.

Fifth,  the Mini PC Stick has a more powerful processor and higher intelligence than a Smart TV.  You could work on documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more.

In my household, all of our TV’s are Smart TV’s.  But they are hard to work with because you have to type in login’s, passwords, and website addresses with the remote…one letter at a time.  It’s so frustrating.

Not so with a Mini PC Stick.  I can effortlessly type in this information using my Logitech Bluetooth keyboard.

The Azulle Access3 PC is available from the Azulle website starting at $159 (dependent upon configuration) plus $7.50 shipping. 

The Lynk Multi-functional Remote Control is available through  Amazon website for $29.99 with free shipping right now.

*I was given an Access3 Mini PC Stick for purposes of review.  All opinions are my own.