mini pc News - Page 137 of 150 - CNX Software

May 21, 2013May 29, 2013 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 10 Comments

Linux-based $99 Ceptor HDMI Stick Powered by Freescale i.MX 6Dual

Thanks to individuals developers, we’ve been able to get Linux distributions based on Ubuntu, or Debian run on HDMI TV dongles for about a year, but nearly all of them just come with Android and that’s it. The only two exceptions I can think of are PengPod Pengstick and FXI Technologies Cotton Candy, where actively work on Ubuntu support, and provide images to boot from microSD. But now, Devon IT has developed a mini PC, called Ceptor powered by Freescale i.MX 6Dual processor with 1GB RAM, and up to 32GB Flash. It runs Linux-based ZeTOS operating system, and is destined at creating virtual desktop solutions for the enterprise. The casing just looks like HiaPad Hi802 or Zealz GK802 , but the internal specifications are slightly different: SoC – Freescale i.MX 6Dual @ 1 GHz + Vivance GC2000 GPU System Memory – 512MB or 1GB DDR3 Storage – up to 32GB eMMC […]

May 18, 2013May 29, 2017 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 8 Comments

Review of Kimdecent CS868 mini PC Powered by AllWinner A31

Kimdecent sells some cheap RK3188 mini PCs such as QC802 for $76, but instead of sending me yet another RK3188 device, they agreed to send CS868, an HDMI TV dongle powered by AllWinner A31 quad core processor, so that I could review it. This mini PC comes with 2GB RAM and 16GB Flash, the latter being larger than the 8GB flash found in most other devices, and is available for $95 on Kimdecent Aliexpress store. More details about the specifications are available on Unuiga U28 post since the hardware is the same. In theory, AllWinner A31 has a much slower CPU than Rockchip RK3188, but its PowerVR 544MP2 GPU should outperform the Mali-400 MP4 found it the Rockchip processor, and A31 supports 4K2K video decoding. In this post, I’ll show some unboxing picture, give my first impressions, test Wi-Fi performance, video playback capabilities, and run some benchmarks. CS868 Unboxing Pictures […]

May 17, 2013 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment

My Attempt at Adding Multiple Users Support to Android 4.2 HDMI TV Sticks

A few day ago, I noticed MoDaCo posted instructions to enable multiple users support on Nexus 4 smartphone via Liliputing’s Lilbits. They indicate that it may also work on other Android 4.2 devices, so with more and more Android mini PCs and set-top box running the latest version of Android, but lacking. multiple user support, I decided to give it a try on Tronsmart T428. My little experiment did not end up being that successful despite the picture below. But who knows, maybe some of my clever readers will find a solution. The instructions below may “work” on any rooted Android 4.2 devices including smartphones, mini PCs, media players, etc… You’ll need to install 2 apks: Xposed Framework – Scroll down on this page, then download and install XposedInstaller_2.1.4.apk. Finally run the installer, and reboot. MoDaCo Toolkit Xposed module – A link on this page will let you download com.modaco.toolkit.apk. […]

May 15, 2013May 15, 2013 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 7 Comments

How to Play Games in Android mini PCs / STBs With a PS3 Bluetooth Controller

Android mini PCs ( HDMI TV dongles) are great to make your TV smart, and you may expect to be able to play Android games on your TV easily. The reality is that the keyboard and mouse, or remote controls used with those devices, are not suitable for games, and most games do not play at all. Of course, OUYA and GameStick projects will take care of this, as well as the recently available Project SHIELD ($349) , but if you already have one of those mini PCs, you may not want to spend the money for another device. Luckily there’s a solution, and with some efforts, you can play many games, but not all, with a PS3 Bluetooth controller connected to your Android mini PC or Set-Top Box. I decided to give it a try by buying “GOIGAME Rechargeable Bluetooth Wireless DoubleShock III Controller for PS3” for $16.60, which […]

May 15, 2013May 15, 2013 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 15 Comments

DealExtreme 50% Discount on Mini PCs, Class 10 SD Cards, RF Remote Controls and More

DealExtreme has started a promotion that is taking place on May, 15-20 offering 50% discount on selected products. I’ve gone through the list, and found several RK3066 Android mini PCs all priced between $23 and $27, as well as some other items that may be of interest to readers of this blog. [Update: Sorry, in just a couple of hours, all items listed below are already sold out] Android Mini PCs: MK808 – $25.00 – One of the most used Android mini PC. Powered by Rockchip RK3066 with 1GB RAM, 8GB Flash. The version in DX runs Android 4.1.1, but a beta Android 4.2.2 firmware is also available. MK808B – $23.50 – Same as MK808, but with Bluetooth, and somehow it’s cheaper… Rikomagic MK802 IIIS – $27.10 – Rockchip RK3066 powered mini PC with 1GB RAM and 8GB Flash. Contrary to the previous 2 that feature a HDMI female connector, […]

May 14, 2013May 19, 2013 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 27 Comments

Tronsmart T428 mini PC Review

Geekbuying was kind enough to send me another RK3188 mini PCs for review. Tronsmart T428 is very similar to MK908 I reviewed earlier, with 2GB RAM and 8GB flash, but the latest device runs Android 4.2.2, its Wi-Fi module supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies, and T428 can also be used as a Miracast Display. Geekbuying sells for the device for $96.99 including shipping, but before to buy the device I strongly recommend you read the review. I’ll post some unboxing pictures first, then carry on with my first impressions, video playback capabilities, Wi-Fi performance and some benchmarks. Tronsmart T428 Unboxing I received the device is in the package below. T428 comes with a short HDMI cable, a 5V/2A power supply, and a USB to microUSB cable for power. A close look at this mini PC shows the casing is made of plastic and metal (on the lengths), comes with […]

May 11, 2013August 5, 2013 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 50 Comments

List of RK3188 mini PCs / HDMI TV Dongles

The first HDMI TV stick based on Rockchip RK3188 that I noticed was CloudnetGo CR9, and since then many more similar products have hit the market. I did not write about most of them as “it’s just more of the same” most of the time, but listed some in CloudnetGo CR9 post’s comment section. Today, I’ll provide a (non-exhaustive) list of devices, in no particular order, with a summary of the hardware specifications. I won’t mention Android versions since all of them already run Jelly Bean (Android 4.1 or 4.2). Retail price information, which I got from Aliexpress, Geekbuying, W2COMP, and some other sites, is provided for reference, and includes shipping unless otherwise stated. CloudnetGo CR9 – 2GB RAM, 8/16 GB Flash, HDMI male, 1x USB, 1x microUSB – Price Unknown – See review Tronsmart T428 – 2GB RAM, 8GB Flash, HDMI male, 1x USB, 1x microUSB – $99 Rikomagic MK802 […]

May 8, 2013 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments

$99 KDDI AU Smart TV Stick Powered by TI OMAP4430

KDDI, a Japanese Telecom operator, has launched AU Smart TV Stick, an Android 4.0.4 HDMI TV Stick powered by Texas Instruments OMAP4430 dual core processor with 1GB RAM, and 4 GB Flash, together with a “magic” Bluetooth remote for 9,800 Yen ($99 US). Here are the specifications of this device: SoC – Texas Instruments OMAP4430 Dual Core Cortex A9 @ 1GHz + PowerVR SGX540 GPU System Memory -1GB RAM Storage – 4GB Flash + microSD card slot Connectivity: Wi-Fi IEEE802.11b/g/n Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR Video Output – HDMI (female) USB – micro USB OTG Power – AC100V Dimensions – 31 × 105 × 14mm Weight – 45g The Bluetooth remote measures 50 × 149 × 21.5mm, weights 73 g, and comes with a gyro sensor. The package included the mini PC, the remote, as well as an AC adapter (100V), an HDMI Cable, a holder, and 2 AAA batteries for […]