Intel launches credit card-sized PC

Intel will release the Compute Card in the middle of this year. This is a PC the size of a credit card that can be connected to all kinds of devices via a custom USB-C connection. The chip manufacturer will provide the card PC with chips up to the Core processors from Kaby Lake.

The Intel Compute Card has a housing of 94.5x55mm with a thickness of 5mm. This contains the processor, working memory, storage memory and WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. Manufacturers can develop devices with a special slot where the Compute Card can be inserted.

The card can then connect to such a device via a ‘usb-c plus extension’ and serve as a central computing system there. USB, PCI-E, HDMI and Displayport can be run via the interface. Intel is considering application in interactive refrigerators, kiosk systems, security cameras and IoT gateways, among other things.

The company has entered into partnerships with HP, Dell, Lenovo and Sharp. Mini PC should be released in mid-2017, but before that, in the second quarter, Intel will announce the prices. Intel has been building small PCs such as the Compute Stick and NUCs for some time now.