Minix NEO G4 Android PC

Minix NEO G4 is a nicely rendered Android PC

According to some knowledgeable opinions, the Minix Neo G4 is a quality, second generation dual core based Android Mini PC. this recently introduced Mini PC has already been praised for it’s low heat output and consistent fast performance, ease of rooting procedure and elegant hardware design which includes bluetooth connectivity, something rather scarce to find on the Android Mini PC scape.

Minix Neo G4 Android Mini PC

 Inside the Minix Neo G4 Android PC

The hardware specs of the Minix Neo G4 are the ones we’ve come to expect from a Rockchip RK3066 processor based Android Mini PC. Accompanied by a Quad Core Mali 400 graphics processor, the Dual Cortex A9 type processor is capable of 1080p video and even Flash hardware assisted decoding by it’s exclusive FTR technology.

On the memory side we got 1gb of DDR3 RAM for our running apps and games, coupled with 8gb of FLASH RAM for storage purposes. Connectivity is present in wireless mode by  802.11b/g/n WIFI capability and Bluetooth.

The Minix Neo G4 also includes an HDMI video output port accepting HDMI v1.4a enabling 3D movie file format support. It is also compatible with all audio and video formats we come to expect (pretty much “everything”).

As I/O options, the Minix Neo G4 comes with one USB 2.0 port and a Micro USB OTG port, an IR receiver and a TF card reader supporting SD 3.0 up to 32Gb capacity).

The Minix Neo G4 needs an (included) AC adapter which provides 5V 3A power, but the Android Mini PC itself uses less than 1A to operate.

Samsung Smart Dock

Galaxy Note 2 + Samsung Smart Dock = Android Mini PC

Samsung unveils its Samsung Smart Dock, which is a multiport docking station for your Samsung Galaxy Note II, including a full size HDMI output port, three full sized USB ports a microUSB (on the back, for charging purposes) and even a standard 3.5 mm audio jack output for you to use your favorite amplified speakers with it. Not all Kudos go for Samsung: The “Smart Dock for an Android phone” concept is not new: The Samsung Smart Dock seems to be a new concept rendition of an earlier (now defunct) product from Motorola, called WebTop.

Samsung Smart Dock

At the rather hefty price of U$S 99, the Samsung Smart Dock may anyway be of certain appeal for the -also fat wallet priced- Samsung Galaxy Note II owners. Interestingly enough, their current flagship product, the Samsung Galaxy SIII is not compatible with the Samsung Smart Dock. This single fact reminds me of the -by now oldie- Android fragmentation topic, on the hardware side. One would expect that the best exponents of Samsung Galaxy line would be compatible, expansion port wise, but such accessories-sharing capability seems not possible at this hardware-software integration level.

Is the Samsung Smart Dock capable of converting your Galaxy Note II into an Android Desktop PC ?

Certainly, it seems to be so, given the nice computing muscle specs of the Samsung Galaxy Note II processor, an Exynos 5 dual core Cortex A15.  Such a workhorse carries more than enough processing power for any internet based work. We can certainly envision the Samsnug Smart Dock being released as companion to other Samsung models in the future, but evidently on this down to earth bussiness world, such dream would require first plenty of embracing from current Samsung Galaxy Note II owners of this first Samsung Smart Dock.

MK806 Android Mini PC

MK806 may be an accomplished successor of MK802 ?

A new Android Mini PC, the MK806, was introduced by the specialized webstore “KIMDECENT” from China. The succesor of the MK802 has arrived, jumping into the RK3066 processor wagon and running Android 4.1 while purporting  a decent price of about U$S 67.  The plastic casing is till on the “Android on a Stick” size, with no visible venting holes, which makes me wonder about heat again. Thankfully enough the dual core RK3066 Rockchip processor seems to be more resilient to heat, as we have yet to read about any heat running trend on rk3066 based Android mini PCs.

MK806 Android Mini PC

Inside the MK806 Android PC

The dual Core Cortex A9 based processor inside the mk806 runs at 1.6 Ghz and it is coupled with a Mali 4500 graphics subsytem chip, both feeding from the hefty 1 gb of RAM available, while the Apps and games may be stored in the 4Gb flash ram included in the MK806. There is a full size USB PORT wich may accept an USB hub with a standard keyboard and mouse, a micro USB port for slave USB connection and power purposes, a microSD slot and a full HDMI.

The MK806 is also marketed as the MK802 III. It includes also a 3.5 mm earphone port, in order to extend the audio output in case you connect it into a PC Monoitor with no audio, then you can hook your PC Speakers into your MK806 and still enjoy audio output.

As it happens with RK3066 based Android PC devices, the MK806 has no Linux support at the time of this writing. Hopefully Rockchip opens up their system specific data into the open source, allowing not only the MK806, but all Mini PC based on its processor to accomodate the necesary drivers into Linux ARM releases.

 

Uhost2 Android Mini PC

Uhost2 is a nice Android Mini PC

A new Rockchip Rk3066 dual core ARM chip processor based Android Mini PC has arrived, the UHost2. It is a bit bigger than your averaga Android mini PC, which might be good news, heat dissipation wise. We already told you about the -at that time inminent- wave of rk3066 based “Android on a Stick” computers that would wash over us. The new iterations of the rockchip workhorse are getting more and more refined, and this new Android Mini PC is a perfect example of it. Final pricing is yet to be announced, but we may think about U$S 65 for the entry level version (4gb Flash ram).

Uhost2 Android Mini PC

Inside the Uhost2 Dual Core Android Mini PC

The Uhost2 Android on a Stick computer comes with the usual stuff that we come to expect from any Android Mini PC, and then some: We get a nice GPU, Mali 400mp4 based graphics engine, the RK3066 ARM Cortex A9 dual core working at maximum speed (1.6Ghz),  dual OTG USB ports, a micro USB port, an HDMI port, 1Ghz of RAM, Wifi b/g/n connection, and may be purchased with 4,8,16 .. up to 32Gb of internal flash ram. Of course, we get also a microSD expansion slot that will accept up to 32 Gb of extra storage memory.

The Uhost2 comes packaged with a nice remote control and an HDMI cable, as a Plus. The Uhost2 comes with Android 4.04 installed inside, but there is an option for upgrading into Android 4.1 in the near future. There is also a Bluetooth version, but it is yet to be seen if it will be offered. Actually, at the time of this wrtiting, the whole Uhost2 is yet to be offered to the general public, altough some test units have been distributed around into different tech blogs for reviewing purposes.The Uhost2 is promised to get into market on early November this year.

Firmware update For Android Mini PC

A Firmware update a Day, keeps the Doctor Away

firmware update for your Android mini PCHow often do you search for a firmware update  ? Your Android Mini PC “on a stick” might already be running on outdated firmware. Since these little Android devices are product of recent or even ongoing development, as they might have been released in a beta status in the eagerness for profit in a “hit first” market scenario), a firmware update might fix and add lots of functionalities. It might prove wise of you to search for firmware updates, as they may include an updated Android version and / or better graphics drivers, or even a more efficient power managment solution.

Where can I check for a firmware update ?

It may be worth to look into the online shop support area, where you bought your Android Mini PC. One of these online stores is Kimdecent, which carries a nice drivers section including new firmware releases for the following Android on PC sticks:

  • Droid Stick T10
  • Droid Stick T4
  • Droid Stick T3
  • MK802
  • A1000
  • A2000
  • Mele JD
  • Android Stick KVD11
  • K940 M3

Even if your Android mini PC is not listed in there, you may go ahead and peek into their current list of firmware updates, as by this time they might have included a firmware update for yours!

 

Android Mini PC MK802 II

MK802 II is the next generation on the MK802 Family

Android on PC MK802 IIThe MK802 II is a revised version, including significant enhancements, from the early MK802 Android mini PC, which was -correct me if I’m wrong- the first Android “on a stick” mini PC  to appear. The price is still on the lower edge, U$S 55 for one MK802 II unit. It is yet to be determined if this reincarnation from the early times is better at coping with processing heat than the first generation MK802. Certainly it seems that at least one aspect of the new hardware specs is addressing just that, but with the wrong angle approach, we must add. Let’s talk about specs:

MK802 II Mini Android Specifications

At first glance, the MK802 II differentiates with its earlier parent by including a male HDMI connector, protruding from one end. This HDMI connector will allow you to plug the MK802 II directly into your HDMI enabled TV. This might be perceived as a nice change, provided you got enough room on your TV case whereabouts for the MK802 II to fit. It also incorporates two USB ports, a normal sized one, and a micro USB port. A microSD card reader is included too, compatible with up to 32Gb microSD cards.

On the inside, we find a 1Ghz All-Winner CPU (A10), 1Gb of RAM, 4Gb of FLASH RAM, and a MaLi 400 GPU for graphics rendering. The MK802 II includes 802.11 b/g/n WIFI connectivity and runs on Android 4.0

Everything seems just ballpark ok for such a low cost Android Mini PC, right ?  Wrong! The maximum output resolution has been capped at 720p, so no full HD output. This is what we assume is the wrong angle on fighting against processor heat. We suspect that the MK802 II is trying to keep it’s processor heat low by lowering the workhorse power required to generate 1080p.  We are certain that the MK802 II can be hacked into obtaining full 1080p output, but then things may get hot enough to burn this Android Mini PC out … or not ? If you got an MK802 II Android Mini PC, share your experience with us!