Several mini PCs and sticks based on Intel Atom Z3735f/g tablet processors have been announced in the last few months, including MeegoPad T01 and MINIX NEO Z64. But iPC002 introduced to me by VISSON, is a little different, as it includes most features of a tablet with a thin form factor, and an internal battery, but the display, and adds full sized USB ports.
iPC002 specifications:
- SoC – Intel Atom Z3735F “Bay Trail” quad core processor @ 1.33 GHz (Bust freq: 1.83 GHz) with Intel HD graphics Gen 7 (2W TDP)
- System Memory – 2 GB DDR3L
- Storage – 32 GB eMMC + micro SD slot
- Video Output – micro HDMI
- Audio I/O – micro HDMI, 3.5mm headphone jack, and built-in microphone
- Connectivity – 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0
- USB – 2x USB 2.0 host ports, 1x micro USB OTG 2.0 port
- Misc – Volume Up/Down Key, Power Key , Home key
- Power Supply – 5V/2A via micro USB port, 7000 mAh battery good for 3 hours of 1080p video playback.
- Dimensions – 148 x 79 x 9.2 mm
- Weight – 210 grams
The system only runs Windows 8.1, and I’ve been told a dual boot Windows/Linux image was in development but has been dropped because “it has many problems, and too slow”, which does not bode well for other dual boot Intel Bay Trail-T systems, or maybe the company did not want to invest resources into Linux development. A mobile app is also being developed which will let consumers use their phone as a wireless mouse, remote, and keyboard, as well as transfer files back and forth between the phone and the computer. A screen mirroring function will allow to see Windows 8.1 from your mobile device, which could make the battery a bit more useful. Intel is apparently actively involved in this project, or so I’m told. When I asked for a product page, I was provided a link to Amazon US for a product called Vensmile iPC002, but not yet for sale.
iPC002 looks exactly the same as Guleek i8 pre-sold on DealExtreme for $104, except it only comes with 16GB eMMC, and the battery has a 3,000 mAh capacity.
A reader on Liliputing suggested you could make a portable system with display by connecting the system to a 16″ USB powered LCD, so for $200 you can get some sort of portable computer with a sizable display.
Via AndroidPC.es, Freire, and Visson.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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Wow, interesting device.
And how can they include Windows 8.1 in the 100 USD price? Is this a free Windows, or an illegale one, or … ?
Its called windows 8.1 Bing. Costs only 15$ for the manufacturer.
I feel that many project XBMC will be born with this mini PC, I also commend the effort of the selling price, we advance ! 😉
Is it just me or. Linux is being gently pushed away from these new trends?
Behold, a tablet without a screen.
Dimensions – 148 x 79 x 9.2 cm
biggest tablet without a screen ever 😉
@d1dd1
“Dimensions – 148 x 79 x 9.2 cm
biggest table without a screen ever”
FTFY
@d1dd1
Haha! Well spotted 🙂
Or a Mini pc with integrated UPS 😉
Linux will be more popular on tablets and these ” tablets without screen “, once Ubuntu touch/tablets is available, just like win8 works on tablet like HW with working drivers
Device looks nice.
Wrt the dual boot option:
The statement “it has many problems, and too slow” is quite odd.
You either boot into windows or linux; that is only a startup issue.
There are various tablets around with Baytrail SoC’s that support android with decent performance and there are also some that are dual boot.
Seems to me the problems are at the developer side.
@Manny: yeah a PC with integrated UPS: cool view. Would be nice for a home server, but I fear that if power is down my network is also down (but you could still still stream local content to a phone or tablet over wifi assuming you can configure it to an ad-hoc network or an access point).
This is interesting device. Price point is nice, I bet it will run XBMC win version without problem.
Integrated battery, no need for external power source brick, low TDP, you can add two external drives with USB ports..
All in all interesting device at this price point.
The screen suggestion at the end of the article isn’t quite good idea as it’s a DisplayLink based screen, no HDMI, you’ll pay in performance and power.
As a DisplayLink based product the price is quite nice but it’s a very old product I’m guessing based on a chip two generation backward, the current generation can do 4K over USB 3.0.
I will gladly like to know where to buy one 😉
@Tadej
Guleek i8 can be pre-ordered on DealExtreme.
http://c.dx.com/collection/201412/guleeki8/en/index.html?Utm_rid=93072394&Utm_source=affiliate
Pipo X7 is a better choice if you want LAN, but don’t want a battery:
http://www.geekbuying.com/item/PIPO-X7-Windows-8-1-Smart-Mini-PC-TV-Box-Media-Player-2G-RAM-32G-ROM-Intel-3736F-1-8GHz-Quad-Core—Silver-339668.html
@Sander
I asked about the license:
“For the Windows 8.1 license, we are used Windows 8.1 with Bing, so the license is no problem for this os.”
So I get different feedback depending on the seller. Some say it’s just free because it’s Windows 8.1 with Bing, while others say it costs $15 to $25 to activate the device with a proper license.
Windows 8.1 with Bing is Free to manufacturers, its restricted to OEM’s only and also restricted to cheap devices. See this article: http://www.howtogeek.com/195934/what-exactly-is-windows-8.1-with-bing-do-i-have-to-use-bing/
@Gabe
Just ordered this, lets see if its any good.
@Aftab
That’s for >$250 laptops, and >7″ tablets, but for mini PC is not so clear. One well-known Chinese reseller told me they contacted Microsoft China and the reply was they needed to pay $25 to activate Windows in such device.
Another somewhat cheaper option,but with LAN.
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Win8-mini-PC-Intel-Atom-Z3735F-CPU-windows-8-smart-computer-2GB-DDR3-32GB-ROM-Intel/32260905547.html
I forgot to mention that above model does not come with a remote control,but this one comes with a remote
control for $28 extra.
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/1pc-Intel-Set-Top-Box-Windows-8-Atom-Z3753/32247414750.html
$28 for a remote, that’s a little bit much.
@cnxsoft
This is with windows 8.1 with bing, but is not activated
@cnxsoft
Yes I saw the commercial, but I would wait for iPC002 🙂
Seeing that GeekBuying has the Pipo W2F (2G/32G version) for 125 USD (and windows for sure is free for the tablet), I somehow don’t really see why anyone would bother with these things (unless you need LAN, that is)?
A good news is the Intel also developed a product like this, named Compute Stick, means Compute when, where, and how you want. It seems like a Chocolate, very small, have windows 8.1 and linux two version.
http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/compute-stick/intel-compute-stick.html?utm_source=tuicool
I checked with the Engineer of Vensmile, they told me, they can do the iPC002 runing with linux Ubuntu, but only do it when have a ODM project.
@Tadej
Good news, iPC002 is in stock now, ^-^
Selling on Amazon : http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00REGG6QU
@Camille
” Windows 8.1 with Bing (Is not activated)” so I guess it’s pre-loaded with the 30-day trail version of Windows 8.1 Pro.
@cnxsoft
haha,yes, it is same with the other z3735f mini pc, but there is a tool can help solve this problem
Also on focalprice: http://www.focalprice.com/EH0497X/GULEEK_i8_Ultra_Thin_Intel_Bay_Trail_CR_Z3735F_Quad_core_1.8GHz_CPU_Windows_8.1.html
@cnxsoft
“A mobile app is also being developed which will let consumers use their phone as a wireless mouse, remote, and keyboard, as well as transfer files back and forth between the phone and the computer. A screen mirroring function will allow to see Windows 8.1 from your mobile device, which could make the battery a bit more useful. ”
Now seems to be working – from focalprice page:
“Connect this mini PC, only need one APP, the classic WINDOWS 8.1 interface can be displayed on your android phone “
i juist bought 2 of these but cant seem to get the audio working over my TV
@Winston Bennett
You need setting the audio output via HDMI
USB-A ports unstable when PC is used headless.
It keeps disconnecting and reconnecting USB devices on the USB-A ports the moment you turn the monitor off or disconnect the HDMI cable. You can actually see the red LED on the vensmile flicker as the usb connects and disconnects. They need to fix this major flaw.
The build quality of the Vensmile IPC002 is marginal. I had to fix the internal USB port ribbon cable since purchasing the unit a month ago. The power button on the back of the unit is also finicky and I also had to upgrade the power adapter to a 5V 3000 mA (the one supplied is only 5V 2000 mA) to supply enough current to keep the battery charged and the computer running at the same time (otherwise the unit would shut itself off when the battery would deplete. My HP Stream 7 tablet had the same problem.)
Can this be upgraded to Win10? Would it run 3D software such as Zwift without any issues?
@John
Update to Windows 10 should be no problem. I’m not sure about Zwift performance on this platform, it would have to be tested.
Hi.
Some one start linux on it? I used tutorial from http://www.cnx-software.com/2015/08/12/ubuntu-14-04-3-desktop-image-for-intel-atom-z3735f-mini-pcs-and-sticks/. But wifi not working and I can’t boot ubuntu after install. Some idea?
Vensmile iPC002 Plus with Atom x5-Z8300 for $105.99 with coupon: GBIP @ http://www.gearbest.com/tv-box-mini-pc/pp_291307.html
This makes a lot of sense in a small business that doesn’t do a lot of intense computing, but needs their data to survive a power outage. That way they don’t have to worry about buying a UPS.
hi, i have this kind of item,
i made mistake in bios settings and now my device wont boot only led light is open and nothing happens, Is there any other way to reset the bios or update the firmware for this device?
thanks,
Maybe have a look at that post including the comments section: https://www.cnx-software.com/2015/04/29/how-to-install-64-bit-bios-on-sunchip-cx-w8-unbricking-method/
Hi Jean-Luc, thanks for sharing i’ll check that out.