Skip to main content

Get Your Computer-On-a-Stick

Here’s something you might be interested in shaking a stick at (sorry, had to). The new Computer-On-a-Stick is a bootable USB 2.0 flash drive which the maker Bionopoly through their new consumer brand FingerGear says is the first device of its kind to contain a complete onboard operating system. The Computer-On-a-Stick is shipping now.

The Computer-On-a-Stick, FingerGear says, allows users to directly boot into its Linux-based OS from any PC with an x86 processor. Besides the operating system, the flash drive has resident the mostly Microsoft Office compatible Office Suite developed by OpenOffice.org, the Mozilla Firefox browser, PDF Viewer and Creator and the GAIM instant messaging client, which is compatible with Yahoo! and AOL’s instant messaging applications among others.

Recommended Videos

The first version of the Computer-On-a-Stick comes in a 256MB flavor. Greater capacities will be available later this quarter.

“Our goal was to combine a trusted operating system with the most commonly used software applications, all within a single secure USB Flash Drive,” said Bionopoly CEO Jon Louis. “The Computer-On-a-Stick USB Flash Drive offers the perfect combination of security and portability.”

Digital Trends Staff
Digital Trends has a simple mission: to help readers easily understand how tech affects the way they live. We are your…
The best desktop computers for 2023: Dell, HP, Apple, and more
A top-down view of the Mac Mini.

There are several great options if you're searching for the best desktop computer, but Dell's XPS Desktop (8950) still takes the crown in 2023. It's highly flexible, decently priced, and comes with super powerful hardware. There are desktop PCs to pick from, though.

We've reviewed dozens of desktop PCs from brands like Dell, Apple, Lenovo, and HP, but only a few truly stand out. These are the computers to look for when making your next upgrade. For our picks, we tried to balance price, performance, build quality, and our experience actually using the desktop. Make sure to read our explainer about how we review desktops to get an inside look at our evaluation process.

Read more
How to take a screenshot on your Mac: the best methods in 2023
The keyboard and trackpad of the MacBook Pro 14-inch.

If you're new to the Mac, the first question people have is how to take a screenshot. There's no Print Screen key, so you'll be forgiven if it's not immediately obvious. Or hey, maybe you just forgot the keyboard shortcut or want to go deep into the very best screenshot apps available. We got ya.

There are plenty of options and customizations, so there's plenty to dig into. Here’s everything you could ever want to know about taking a screenshot on your Mac.
How to take a screenshot using keyboard shortcuts
MacOS keyboard shortcuts are the quickest ways to take screenshots, whether you're capturing the entire screen or just a portion. By default, Apple's methods save your screenshot to the desktop, but if you want to copy the screenshot to the clipboard, there's a keyboard shortcut you can use instead.
How to capture a selected area

Read more
Best 4K monitor deals: Get a 27-inch 4K monitor for $270 and more
Dual monitors set up on a desk.

So, you got yourself a shiny new desktop or laptop. Congratulations. Now it's time to start thinking about some of the accessories you'll need, and we're not just talking about a good keyboard and mouse combo. For instance, you might consider the best 4K monitor deals because it's super helpful to have an extra monitor even if you're not using the computer for work or productivity tasks. The extra monitor allows you to keep additional content onscreen, like Discord, a browser window open to YouTube or your favorite streaming platform, or some other activity. You can continue working, gaming, or browsing on the main display, while the rest is still visible on the secondary display. To do this, you'll want to check out some of the best monitor deals out there.
Today's best 4K monitor deals
There's a lot to choose from, but if you want to utmost quality and best visual experience you can opt for a 4K ultra-HD monitor. And yes, if you must know, there are 5k monitors available, too. Like a 4K TV, they're designed to display ultra-high-resolution content at a solid framerate, usually 60 frames per second or above -- 120Hz is the sweet spot. To help out a little, and help you sift through the vast selection, we've rounded up the best 4K monitor deals, all in one place.

Are 4K monitors worth it?
You might be wondering is 4K monitors are really worth it? After all, computer media and experiences are mostly different than anything you'll encounter on your average TV. But here's the thing, computers have access to a much larger array of resolutions, including high and ultra-high resolutions. Moreover, computers benefit from much smoother refresh rates, sometimes in excess of 120Hz -- 120 frames per second. That means you get a much smoother picture, a much better experience -- especially while gaming -- and frankly, there's nothing quite like it. Plus, the higher the supported resolution the higher you can crank the quality of your desktop and laptop visuals, provided they support higher resolutions.
What is the best size for a 4K monitor?
It really depends on what you're using the monitor for and what activities you plan to partake in. For example, if you're gaming or watching movies, the larger the display the better. If you're just going to be doing busywork and need enough screen real estate for a couple of browser windows then you can get by with a smaller monitor. For gamers, we always recommend looking at ultra-wide and curved displays because they're more immersive. In regards to size, the sweet spot is really anything about 27-inches or above. Ideally, you want 32-inches or so, that way you can use a single monitor with split windows to have multiple things going on at a time. Things get even better if you decide to expand with an extra monitor or two.

Read more