Rikomagic MK36S is one of the latest mini PCs featuring Intel Atom x5-Z8300 processor combined with 2GB RAM and 32GB eMMC flash, and is basically a processor upgrade to the company’s MK36 mini PC based on Intel Atom Z3736F processor.
MK36S specifications with highlights in bold showing improvements over MK36:
- SoC – Intel Atom x5-Z8300 “Cherry Trail” quad core processor @ 1.44 GHz (Burst/Turbo frequency: 1.84 GHz) with Intel Gen8 HD graphics @ 500 MHz
- System Memory – 2 GB RAM
- Storage – 32 GB eMMC + micro SD slot
- Video Output – HDMI
- Audio I/O – HDMI, 3.5mm microphone jack
- Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, dual band 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 4.0
- USB – 3x USB 2.0 host ports, 1x USB 3.0 port
- Misc – Power button, LED on top of device
- Power Supply – 12V/2A
- Dimensions & Weight – N/A
The device will come pre-installed with Windows 10, and the specifications a very similar to Tronsmart Ara X5 mini PC. A review showed that although the CPU would bring limited performance improvement, the GPU could be about twice as fast as a “Bay Trail-T” processor. All these Intel based mini PCs are pretty similar, and since nobody is going to change the closed source firmware (Windows 10), the most important differences are the thermal design, and internal storage performance.
Rikomagic MK36S should become available in November, with pricing undisclosed so far, and in due time, the mini PC should show up on Rikomagic Aliexpress store.
Via AndroidPC.es
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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Now, why don’t anyone try to differentiate from the rest? We want a box with the speedier Z8500 with dual channel 4GB of RAM.. thanks! 🙂
I agree with Tore.
Why aren’t we seeing mini PCs with Z8500 or Z8700, which are better than Z8300?
(only MS Surface 3 tablet uses Z8700)
When will there be mini PCs that use them?
Any RealSense 3D camera support? Last bullet here:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2904552/seven-things-to-know-about-intels-cherry-trail-atom-chips.html
@Ron
That’s quite simple Ron. The only purpose these kind of boxes exist is because Intel is willing to sell these CPUs cheap enough to steal market share from ARM and destroy its markets, not to cannibalize big cores sales. So when and if we are gonna see ARM boxes with 4GB of RAM I’m quite sure we are also gonna see similar Intel boxes.
If there would be no ARM I’m quite sure this kind of CPUs would either not exist or be sold for something like 50-100 bucks.
@onebir
I don’t understand what kind of Realsense 3D camera support the mean though. Intel 3D camera devkit is using a USB 3.0 for data. So either USB 2.0 is not fast enough (I guess not), or there are some blocks in Cherry Trail processors that accelerate processing of 3D camera images. I just don’t clearly see anything in block diagrams, or in the side-by-side comparison @ http://ark.intel.com/compare/80274,87383
Bonjour Mr Cnx ,
Une idée du prix pour RK36s , la rumeur veut que ce soit en dessous des 130€ ?
Auriez vous une référence de vendeur Chinois autre que Alieexpress? Merci pour vos test 😉
Cordialement
MK36s is also on GearBest @ http://www.gearbest.com/tv-box-mini-pc/pp_259610.html
I can’t see any price now, but AndroidPC.es said it was listed for 144.71$ (132€) before
Hi,
I just want to share that I was able to unbrick my device after using a bad BIOS file (from http://chinagadgetsreviews.blogspot.be/2016/01/video-photo-gallery-rkm-mk36s-windows.html)
Because customer support of Rikomagic is virtually non existing, I used a BIOS file from Tronsmart X5, which is using exactly the same Cherry Trail CPU/MEM module, and it worked 🙂
However, I had to use an external programmer for the BIOS chip to unbrick it (a cheap but marvelous TL866CS).
In case you are in the same situation, you can get the BIOS files via Tronsmart their forum/website.
I really wish Rikomagic had a similar website/customer support, because right now, it’s very bad, and I’ll avoid their products in the future.
I’m computer engineering student at college, my question is Intel Atom x5-Z8300 has enough power to handle some IDE’s like Intellij or Pycharm etc…
in whole i want to know is this processor enough for basic programming?
@Mahyar
Yes, but it depends on the complexity of your project. If you need to wait 20 minutes each time you build your project/app, that’s an issue… For basic program, I think it should work well enough, just check the minimal or recommended memory requirements of the tools you plan to use.