Anyone use SGP / TSX / PHS2 on a PC stick?

Thanks for that - my NUC is the shorter version and it may be entertaining fitting it in. I'll persevere with the TPLink for a bit - in the case of the Stick, I have a few spare USB hub ports and I reckon I can use a USB to Ethernet adaptor and disable the onboard wifi. That should reduce the heat by quite a bit.
Interesting what you say about 5GHz vs 2.5GHz. I see the opposite... I have issues with 2.5 - mostly I guess because most of my neighbors are using 2.5 and occupying the channels. 5 GHz seems to be more reliable and faster here. Worth experimenting both ways.