Fast Facts
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Introduction of Cast 150: Thomson is launching the Cast 150, a streaming dongle designed as a spiritual successor to Google’s Chromecast with Google TV, featuring a similar design and expected to be priced around $50.
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Positive Features: The Cast 150 supports 4K streaming, Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision, includes a Cortex A35 processor, 2GB of RAM, and a well-designed remote with shortcuts to popular streaming apps.
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Storage Concerns: With only 8GB of internal storage (4GB usable), the Cast 150 risks running into significant storage issues, potentially limiting user experience as streaming app sizes increase.
- Comparison and Recommendation: While the Cast 150 has appealing features, the low storage capacity makes it less attractive compared to competitors like the Onn 4K Pro, which offers 32GB. Users concerned about storage management may want to avoid the Cast 150.
One Major Flaw Ruined My Interest in This Chromecast Replacement
Recently, Thomson announced the Cast 150, a promising streaming dongle that aims to be a worthy successor to Google’s Chromecast with Google TV. The device showcases an appealing design, retains many beloved features, and supports 4K streaming, Dolby Atmos, and Dolby Vision. Its attractive price point of around $50 also makes it enticing.
However, one major specification may overshadow these advantages: it only offers 8GB of internal storage. This raises significant concerns. When I used the original Chromecast with Google TV, I soon discovered that 8GB simply isn’t enough for today’s streaming landscape. With only about 4GB available for apps and user content, I often found myself deleting applications to free up space. As streaming services evolve, file sizes grow larger, making it increasingly difficult to manage limited storage.
While Thomson’s design choices clearly show thoughtfulness, they mirror the Chromecast too closely by keeping this problematic storage specification. Competitors like the Onn 4K Pro provide 32GB of storage for the same price. A storage upgrade to even 16GB would have made a noticeable difference.
With the Cast 150, Thomson has the chance to capture the budget streaming market. Yet, if they stick with only 8GB of storage, many users, including myself, may look elsewhere. For those who dislike micromanaging their entertainment options, it may be best to wait for a better-equipped model. Streamers want flexibility, especially as more apps flood the market. Without it, I find myself less enthusiastic about the Cast 150 despite its impressive features.
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