Intel is giving up on Compute Cards. The credit card-sized, near complete PCs are getting phased out for other plans, the chipmaker said.
"We continue to believe modular computing is a market where there are many opportunities for innovation," Intel said in a statement on Friday. "However, as we look at the best way to address this opportunity, we've made the decision that we will not develop new Compute Card products moving forward."
Intel announced Compute Cards back in 2017 as a way to tap into the smart devices market. Although small and thin, the products contained most elements of a full computer —including the CPU, memory, storage and wireless connectivity— for prices starting around $150 to over $500.
However, the Compute Cards weren't meant to work alone, but to power other hardware, such as smart refrigerators, security cameras, and kiosks. All you had to do was simply slot the Compute Card into the compatible device. In the event you'd like to upgrade the hardware's computing, you could easily swap the card out for a different model.
At the time, Intel was partnering with Foxconn, LG Display, Sharp and others to help create devices that could use Compute Cards. One vendor, Nex Computer, was also developing a laptop/convertible designed to work with the cards, and cost possibly under $200.
Unfortunately, the project was eventually scrapped. In a Thursday blog post, Nex Computer said it had to cancel the project because the future of the Compute Card was "uncertain."
Despite the end of the Compute Card, you can still buy them if you're interested. Intel said it plans on selling and supporting existing Compute Card products until the end of this year.