$66 I5 Intel Mini PC Features 2GB RAM, 32GB Storage, HDMI & VGA Ports (Promo)

It would have been unthinkable a few years ago, but you can now buy a computer capable of running Windows or Linux and shipped to your door for just $65.99 (with coupon GBi5) thanks to i5 mini PC based on Bay Trail processor (not Core i5 as the name may have implied), and the usual 2GB RAM and 32GB storage combination.
i5_mini-PC
i5 mini PC specifications:

  • SoC – Intel Atom Z3735F “Bay Trail” quad core processor @ 1.33 GHz / 1.83 GHz with Intel HD graphics
  • System Memory – 2 GB DDR3L
  • Storage – 32 GB eMMC + micro SD card slot
  • Video Output – HDMI 1.4, and VGA
  • Audio I/F – HDMI, 3.5mm earphone jack
  • Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 4.0
  • USB – 2x USB 2.0 host, 1x micro USB OTG port
  • Misc – Power Button, power LED
  • Power Supply – 5V/2A
  • Dimensions – 13.00 x 7.50 x 2.00 cm
  • Weight – 348 grams
The device ships with a power adapter, and an external WiFi antenna, and is said to run Windows 8. You can be sure it’s not activated, or that they used a non-approved tablet license. It’s not a problem if you’re going to install your own OS however.

Cheap_Bay_Trail_mini_PCi5 mini PC is not the first Intel platform below $70, but the others I have in mind use the TV stick form factors such as MeegoPad T02 or the more recent Star Cloud PCG02U running Ubuntu 14.04.

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36 Comments
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Oren
8 years ago

Any word on who’s the manufacturer? Thanks

cbm80
cbm80
8 years ago

Without Win licence it is not a good offer. Recently I purchased dual boot tablet (Teclast x80) with similar config except Cherry Trail SoC, of course no VGA and ethernet port, but with nice 1920×1200 IPS display and mini HDMI output. And I paid in promotion $68! So for now buying ARM based media player for more than $60 is wasting of money.

onebir
onebir
8 years ago


M$ logic?:
– small tablets – compete with Android/iOS
– mini PCs – compete with Windows on large PCs

simver
simver
8 years ago

Do these small computers work the same way as normal PCs in the sense of installing operating systems? For example could I put an Ubuntu image on a memory stick and boot from it? Or attach a USB DVD drive and boot from a Windows 7 DVD and install the OS that way?

cbm80
cbm80
8 years ago

True, that’s why some Chineese manufacturers sell their Win boxes with small often useless screen – to avoid Win license.

cortex-a72
cortex-a72
8 years ago

@simver
why not? if your going to be installed OS has needed drivers for this device’s peripherals, then you can install and run it. it’s a PC with x64 CPU.

cortex-a72
cortex-a72
8 years ago

@onebir tell me, if you were selling your OS, you would have other “logic”? would you compete with yourself and give away market for competitors? Don’t think so. Another: if the device can run high resolution screen, then it is an ordinary desktop/workstation, so it is licensed appropriately. Noone forces you to buy it. run your free ubuntu and that’s all. And finally, small PC’s don’t compete with their large brothers, they have different performance capabilities overall. The main competitors for Windows always were and will be the previous versions of Windows. I would not be surprised if MS just… Read more »

Benjamin
8 years ago

A nice little board. VGA addition is great, as many low cost monitors still only come with VGA (along with older ones and projectors as well.
I personally hate the external antenna though.

I wonder if it using metal or plastic chassis. Also how is the heat dissipation. On most minipc its pretty crappy.

meagain
meagain
8 years ago

lol “i5” is kinda misleading… and that’s the old Intel Inside sticker from 2001 that was used on Celerons iirc

cortex-a72
cortex-a72
8 years ago

looks like the top casing is metallic.

Pedro
Pedro
8 years ago

Atom? Isn’t Atom not supported officially by Intel on Linux, making it not suitable for linux installations?

Sergio
Sergio
8 years ago

it would not be suitable because the bios is usually 32-bit, but here it is stated 64
bits and then you can only have problems with wifi and audio

halherta
halherta
8 years ago

@Pedro
Not only is Atom not supported by Intel on Linux. Intel is killing the Atom line period.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/3063508/components/intel-is-on-the-verge-of-exiting-the-smartphone-and-tablet-markets-after-cutting-atom-chips.html

And have a look here as to why cheap Atom based systems mostly run x64 based OS’s with 32-bit UEFI https://blogs.intel.com/evangelists/2015/07/22/why-cheap-systems-run-32-bit-uefi-on-x64-systems/

This is basically the final nail in the coffin of Intel Atom. I’d never consider purchasing these devices at this point even if I wanted to run Windows 10 on them…which I’d never do anyways.

Aaa
Aaa
8 years ago

Pedro :
Atom? Isn’t Atom not supported officially by Intel on Linux, making it not suitable for linux installations?

What do you need intel support for Linux? Makes no sense.

Fossxplorer
Fossxplorer
8 years ago

Ofc it makes sense if Intel does indeed support Linux.

@Aaa

Drone
Drone
8 years ago

2MB RAM is too small. Atom’s of this ilk still don’t work properly with the Linux Kernel. Good luck finding Windows drivers for this thing. The spec says Win 8.1, this hints that even if you can find drivers for 8.1, Win 10 drivers are likely out of the question. Good luck trying to get the UEFI to allow a smooth Linux installation. Overall, unless you want to put a significant amount of work into these Atom boxes – just stay away.

Mike T.
Mike T.
8 years ago

Just because Intel isn’t official supporting Linux on new Atom releases doesn’t mean the Linux community can’t… and they have https://www.linux.com/news/linux-41-speeds-intel-atom-socs (and that was a year ago).

FransM
FransM
8 years ago

Drone :
2MB RAM is too small

Guess that’s why it has 2GB 😛

It is the same processor that is used in an Intel Compute Stick which can have Ubuntu preloaded: http://www.ubuntu.com/certification/hardware/201504-18282/

marivan
8 years ago


Any updates about producer?

Hugh
Hugh
8 years ago

Pedro :
Atom? Isn’t Atom not supported officially by Intel on Linux, making it not suitable for linux installations?

A very good point.
Look at the kernel bugzilla entry 109051. Especially comment 375 by Len Brown, an Intel developer (and the one assigned the bug), https://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=109051#c375

olin
olin
8 years ago

Tere is also Tronsmart Ara IZ37 with similar specs (i Z3735F 2GB RAM, 32GB Flash, LAN WiFi etc.) for $64 on Geekbuying.
They claim the Windows 10 license is authorised.

http://www.geekbuying.com/item/Tronsmart-Ara-IZ37-Windows-8-1-Android-Dual-OS-TV-Box-Intel-Z3735F-Quad-Core-2G-32G-802-11-b-g-n-BT4-0-LAN-HDMI-OTA-348870.html

Item code 348870

Felipe
8 years ago

I have one of these same , I need to install windows 7 , someone help me please as I should ?

Felipe
8 years ago

which operating system you recommend me

Thanks!

Felipe
8 years ago

A consultation friend to reinstall Windows 10 as I do?

Trucosgalaxy
7 years ago

Hi, It is possible to install windows 7 on it.
Thanks.

Fausto grisenti
Fausto grisenti
7 years ago

exact model of the lan card? please!

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