Google’s Stream 4K TV Box & Snapdragon X Elite Mini PC – All the Details!

The Google Stream 4K is a promising new product that the company just introduced for the streaming device industry. With Google TV, this release represents a departure from the well-liked Chromecast and provides a more sophisticated experience for those looking for high-quality streaming.

Key Features and Upgrades

Pre-order pricing for the Google Stream 4K is $99, and it offers a number of noteworthy enhancements over its predecessor, such as:

• Sharper and more vivid images are guaranteed with support for Dolby Vision and 4K HDR1 Plus.
• For a fully immersive audio experience, use Dolby Atmos.
• 32GB of storage, which is a significant increase over the 8GB of the Chromecast.
• 4GB of RAM instead of 2GB for quicker performance.
• Ethernet port integrated in, removing the need for additional adapters.
• Voice remote with programmable buttons and an integrated speaker for “Find My Remote” functionality.
• Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity; nonetheless, many had anticipated even greater performance from Wi-Fi 6.

A variety of audio-visual formats, including HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Digital Plus, are supported by the Android TV OS-powered device. Higher bandwidth streaming is possible with HDMI 2.1 on this USB Type-C powered device.

Although Google has not disclosed the exact specifications of the CPU, the company asserts that it is 22% quicker than its predecessor. Though there are rumors that it might still use an Amlogic CPU, the increased memory and storage make for a more seamless experience. There are two color options: Hazel, which is only available on the Google Store, and Porcelain.

Snapdragon X Elite Mini PC by Particle

Particle, a firm well-known for its potent single-board computers, has shown their next Tachon single-board computer (SBC), which is built on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon CPU architecture, for tech aficionados who want something more than just streaming. With its small size and strong performance, the Tachon might be a strong competitor in the SBC market. 

Features of the Tachon Board

• 8-core Qualcomm Kryo CPU with a 2.7GHz maximum clock speed.
• 5G sub-6GHz mobile internet access.
• RAM is 4GB and inbuilt UFS storage is 64GB.
• Adreno 643 graphics processing unit for reliable visuals.
• Power and visual output are both provided by USB-C 3.1 (supports DisplayPort).
• Two 4-lane CSI connections for the integration of cameras.
• Support for encrypted file systems and secure boot gives another degree of security for important tasks.

The Tachon employs USB-C for visual output instead of HDMI, therefore customers who don’t have a USB-C display will need to use a USB-C to HDMI adaptor. The Tachon’s early bird offer is anticipated to ship in January 2025 and is available for $199 on Kickstarter. 

1X GPU 2: Powered by the RX 7800M

With the release of the Radeon RX 7800M, an enhanced powerhouse, the 1X GPU 2, an external GPU dock, is introduced. Expectations are high because this is the first time we’ve seen this particular mobile GPU in use. The RX 7800M surpasses its predecessor, the RX 7600M XT, by providing notable enhancements in processing power and efficiency, making it an even more formidable portable eGPU option.

The 1X GPU 2 should provide a significant performance improvement for creative professionals and gamers seeking a portable yet potent GPU, whether connected over Thunderbolt/USB4 or Oculink. Official performance benchmarks are still pending, but it is anticipated that the RX 7800M would significantly improve graphics performance, particularly for demanding workloads, gaming, and rendering. We’ll know more about this eGPU dock’s actual capabilities once it’s introduced, but the specifications seem excellent right now.

Snapdragon X Elite Mini PC Dev Kit: A Beast in a Small Form

Not to be outdone, the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite Dev Kit has introduced the potent Snapdragon X Elite CPU to the tiny PC market. This small device, meant mainly for developers, has a 12-core Snapdragon X Elite X1e 84100 processor that makes it a powerful platform that can easily handle heavy workloads.

This particular chip features:

• 4.3GHz dual-core boost available for optimal performance.
• 4.6 teraflops of graphical processing capacity for Ado graphics.
• For AI and machine learning workloads, a Hexagon NPU with an astounding 45 TOPS (Trillions of Operations per Second) is available.
• 32 GB of LPDDR5x RAM with above 8000 MHz of operation speed.
• Pre-installed 512GB NVMe SSD providing quick and large capacity storage.
• Options for connectivity include Bluetooth 5.4 and Wi-Fi 7.

Even though it is so small, this Mini PC is very powerful. It’s ideal for developers, but if you can afford the $899 price tag, it may also be used as a daily car for everyday use. The most powerful ARM-based processor on the market right now is Qualcomm’s X Elite chip, and this development kit is the highest-end model that’s available. It’s a fantastic tool for software development, artificial intelligence research, and even basic computing needs.

Future of Snapdragon X Elite in Mini PCs

Despite being a strong programming platform, the Snapdragon X Elite Dev Kit is still somewhat expensive. Nonetheless, it has enormous potential for next Mini PCs with Snapdragon processors. Compact computing may undergo a transformation as manufacturers begin offering more reasonably priced, consumer-friendly Snapdragon-powered tiny PCs. The performance of the lower-end Snapdragon X chips that we have seen suggests that the X Elite might be a game-changer.

Final Thoughts

There’s plenty to be thrilled about in the tech industry, including Google’s TV Streamer 4K, the Snapdragon X Elite Mini PC dev kit, and the 1X GPU 2 powered by the RX 7800M. Pre-orders for the Google TV Streamer 4K are currently open, and I plan to acquire one to test its functionality. Similarly, Particle’s Tachon single-board computer promises a lot of power in a little package.

These are all products to watch if you’re interested in cutting-edge technology. The advances in streaming, computing, and graphics processing that are soon to be released will be well worth the wait, regardless of whether you’re a developer, gamer, or just someone trying to update your entertainment system. 

Tell me in the comments if you’re planning to check out any of these upcoming releases. Have you pre-ordered anything yet? Thank you for reading as usual, and check back soon for more updates!

Video review of Google Stream 4K TV Box and Qualcomm’s New Snapdragon X Elite Mini PC Dev Kit!