A lot of time has passed since the time when computers occupied the whole table. Today, powerful mini PCs come in the size of sandwiches. Whether you're looking for a compact device to free up space in your apartment, or want to set up an entertainment media center for yourself while traveling, in this selection you will find the right one.
We present to our readers the February five of 2017 best mini pc. We offer you to read the review and choose the device to your liking.
Mini PC on Windows Azulle A-1063-AAP Access Plus Stick
With Cherry Trail T3 Z8300 Processor (2GB+32GB)
Access Plus is part of a new line of mini set-top boxes from Azulle. Unlike past mini PC models presented by Azulle, the Access Plus stands out. The device has many applications of various services such as Netflix, Skype and Windows applications. A direct internet connection is also available - these are just a few of the features that Access Plus has to offer.
The device is compact, so it fits easily into your pocket. Thanks to this, the gadget can be used not only while traveling, but go online and view content absolutely anywhere where you can connect to a monitor or TV.
The portable Access Plus is a coolerless mini PC that lets you do the same things you can do on a regular PC without any problems.
Personally, I use the device as a media center with Kodi player. At first I was a little doubtful, but will this little thing be able to cope with all the list of possibilities that is attributed to it? Have you seen the first Chromecast? This is something along the lines of what I was expecting.
As it turned out, my doubts were unfounded. Let's start with the fact that the build quality is highest level. At the device metal case, very moderate weight and impeccable quality. This is a very fast mini PC, which easily replaces the usual one, if the user needs Internet access, access to e-mail or office applications.
With 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of ROM, not including 64 GB - the maximum amount of expandable memory - the user will have more than enough space to store their files. Summarizing, this model will be a good option that will certainly brighten up your leisure:
- Activated OS Windows 10,
- high speed,
- stable work.
The device does not heat up during resource-intensive operations, high quality assemblies, 4 USB connectors… We are delighted with this model!
mini PC GOLE1
FROM Intel processor Z8300 and Windows 10 / Android 5.1(4 GB + 64 GB)
The GOLE1 is powered by a quad-core processor and an Intel Gen 8-LP video accelerator. In addition, there is touch screen, thanks to which the device can be used anywhere, regardless of the speed of the Internet connection via Wi-Fi. And the dimensions of the gadget (135 x 90 x 20 mm) allow you to carry it with you in a small suitcase, backpack or pocket.
Great mini computer. This model was purchased to replace a bulky laptop on which presentations were created using the OpenLP program, which also works fine on GOLE1.
The screen produces a clear and crisp picture, and Windows 10 works as it should. High-speed SD cards are not supported, but Class 4 cards work properly. Personally, I use a 32GB Class 4 card without any problems, and I also watch high-definition videos without lags.
I work on the device using a wireless keyboard Rii i8 92 Mouse Touchpad Combo or just connect a wireless mouse. Both devices are perfectly recognized. HDMI, HDMI and VGA connectors work without problems, and the sound quality that is transmitted through headphones connected to the HDMI connector is commendable.
I really liked Gole1 and I am very glad that I purchased this model.
mini PC Byte Plus
With Intel CherryTrail T3 Z8300 quad-core processor (4GB+32GB)
Byte Plus is included in new line mini PC from Azulle. The device is designed to perform many different multitasking operations. Azulle equipped the Byte Plus with a 64-bit quad-core Intel Atom Cherry Trail processor.
Byte Plus via HDMI or VGA connectors. Services such as Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime are available on the device. And with the help Microsoft Office You can complete tasks at work or school. It doesn't matter what the nature of the task is - Byte Plus can handle any!
An excellent mini PC not only for everyday work, but also as a media center. I must say, very cheap.
This is a very compact and stylish device, with solid build quality. In addition, the gadget does not make any sound during operation. I would have forked out for a more powerful version of this model, but even this small and remote computer provides enough features to satisfy the needs of most users.
It is worth noting that you can put on a mini PC Linux type Ubuntu 15 and above. And since the device supports 32-bit systems, the latter will be the best option.
After fiddling around with other systems, I've come to the conclusion that it works best on Ubuntu. Others had difficulty installing.
If Windows suits you, then there will be no problems at all.
Where to buy cheap?
All over the world, digital media content is very popular. And this is not surprising, because the development modern technologies made it possible for users of the World Wide Web to access almost any amount of information without any problems - over the past few years, the quality of Internet connections has increased significantly. The result of the increase in speed is that the consumer no longer has to go to the store to buy a favorite movie or musical novelty. Now all this can be obtained in a "virtual" form, and much cheaper and, no less important, faster.
Moreover, if earlier to watch the video on big screen needed to connect a computer to a TV or use a DVD player, now there is no need for this. Modern mini-PCs running Android OS are easy to set up and use, they provide great opportunities for playing various media formats, have access to the Web and, unlike conventional computers, load their OS almost instantly.
So, we decided to test four models of inexpensive mini-computers and see how they are worthy of the attention of potential buyers.
Haier DMA6000(average price 4500 rubles)
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The appearance of this device is quite nice - despite plastic case, the miniature device looks quite impressive. The build quality is also on top - nothing creaks when squeezed, the assembly seams are quite neat.
The model comes in a small colorful box that contains everything you need to get started: remote control remote control with USB receiver network adapter power supply, USB cable, HDMI extender and quick start guide.
On the left side of the device there is an HDMI connector, through which the model is connected to the corresponding TV input. There is also a slot for microSD memory cards, as well as a port micro USB The used to power the device. Between these connectors is an LED indicator that indicates the current status of the device.
To connect a variety of peripherals (keyboards and mice, USB drives or webcams) is a full-size USB port located on the right side of the case. By default, it is shared with the included USB remote control receiver.
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The remote control is full-sized, the buttons on it are familiar to users. There are also four special buttons highlighted in color that change their functions depending on the context.
Haier DMA6000 is running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. The basis of the hardware component is a dual-core 1.6 GHz ARM Cortex-A9 processor, while the long-familiar Mali 400 acts as a video accelerator. The amount of RAM is 1 GB, ROM is 4 GB, and Wi-Fi 802.11b is used to connect to the Network g/n.
Looking at such very modest characteristics, it becomes clear that there can be no talk of any serious games. Our testing confirmed this - the rating of the device in the popular Antutu benchmark turned out to be very low, Haier DMA6000 scored only 5500 points.
Playing a test Full HD video was also not encouraging - there were noticeable twitching of the picture and skipping frames.
Android mini PC MK 809(average price 4500 rubles)
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The design of this device, no doubt, can be called quite successful - the top and bottom panels are designed "carbon-like", while the sides shine with black gloss. The assembly is of high quality, the halves are quite tightly fitted to each other, so the design looks solid and makes a good impression.
The packaging is a small cardboard box, the design of which obviously does not shine with creativity - it does not even have the manufacturer's name on it. The bundle is also ordinary - all that the user will receive is an AC power supply, USB cable- micro USB, micro USB OTG adapter and a small HDMI extender. There is neither a remote control nor a cable for connecting to a computer - you will have to buy it separately.
The MK 809 has four connectors: HDMI for connecting a TV or monitor, a full-size USB port and a micro-USB connector for connecting external devices, as well as another micro-USB for power. In addition, there is a slot for memory cards such as microSD and device operation indicator.
This mini PC comes with a bare version of Android 4.2.2, without any additions or major changes. The device has five desktops with a line Google search at the top, and the menu bar at the bottom of the screen has back, home, task switch, and volume keys. Besides, user interface has a screenshot button that will allow you to take a screenshot of the desktop, saving the image to a memory card.
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The heart of the hardware is a Rockchip RK3188 quad-core 1600 MHz processor, while the Mali-400 MP4 accelerator is responsible for video processing. Volume random access memory is 1 GB, flash memory is 8 GB. Of the wireless interfaces, there is both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which allows you to connect a keyboard and mouse without using scarce USB ports.
Performance testing showed relatively modest results. In the Antutu synthetic benchmark, the device scored 14,356 points, respectively, not very complex “toys” will “go” on it. The playback of the test video did not reveal visible "brakes", although here it is worth considering that the interface resolution is 1280x672 pixels, respectively, playing Full HD content is simply devoid of common sense.
iMito-MX1 Bluetooth(average price 5100 rubles)
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This device, developed by engineers from the Middle Kingdom, features an elegant appearance- it looks very nice, largely due to well-chosen material. Most of the case is made of anodized aluminum, plastic remains only at the end with connectors.
The packaging of this device is also very interesting - the box is made of plastic, and the thickness of its walls reaches 1.5 mm. To be honest, this is the first time we've seen this. But the delivery set turned out to be poor - in addition to the device itself, only a couple of cables and a paper insert with more than a free translation of the instructions were found. It is assumed that the device will be powered by connecting to the TV's USB connector, however, on many models, especially outdated ones, this is not available as a class. However, the quality of Chinese power supplies always leaves much to be desired, so we will assume that the user is simply given the opportunity to buy a suitable power supply on their own.
There are four connectors on the case - HDMI and three USB, one of which is used to connect the missing power supply. There is also a microSD memory card slot, as well as an LED operation indicator.
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The hardware stuffing is based on a dual-core 1.6-GHz Rockchip RK3066 processor, complemented by a Mali 400 MP4 graphics accelerator. The amount of RAM is 1 GB, and 8 GB of ROM is used for data storage. Wireless interfaces are represented by Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g / n and Bluetooth, through which you can connect a keyboard, mouse, headset and other devices.
The operating system uses bare Android 4.1.1. On the one hand, this is good, because the abundance of various pre-installed software, and even from Chinese manufacturer sometimes quite annoying, on the other hand, they could put at least a decent video player. However, Google service Play easily solves any problems with the software.
As you might expect, performance testing showed rather modest results. In the synthetic AnTuTu Benchmark, the device scored 5621 “parrots”, in addition, during operation the device sometimes hung up with a subsequent reboot. Playback of the test video revealed twitching and twitching, although the less heavy clips were a success.
Defender Smart Android HD2(average price 4200 rubles)
The model is made in a small black case with a blue edging - despite a certain conciseness, it looks very good. The color is matte, so fingerprints are not afraid of this device. Even though the main material is plastic, the workmanship is quite good.
Defender Smart Android HD2 comes in a nicely designed small cardboard box, on the back of which there are data on the main technical specifications and applied technologies. The package includes everything you need: the device itself, a power adapter, an HDMI extension cable, a small manual, a warranty card, and a power cable with an additional USB connector.
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In addition to the unchanged HDMI-connector located at the end of the case, the device is equipped with two USB-ports (one of them in micro format) and a slot for microSD memory cards. There is also an activity indicator that displays the current state of the device.
The model is based on a dual-core 1.6 GHz Rockchip RK3066 processor and a Mali 400 MP4 video accelerator. The amount of RAM is 1 GB, while the ROM is a 4 GB drive. There are two wireless interfaces - Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g / n and Bluetooth, so there are no problems with connecting the appropriate peripherals. The model works under operational control Android systems 4.2.
As for the performance... We can say that it is on par. Chinese tablets two years ago. In the AnTuTu Benchmark test, the device scored 5975 points, so you won’t be able to play especially “cool” games. With video viewing, the situation turned out to be much better, at least we did not notice any “brakes” when playing a test video.
Having tested four inexpensive devices, one way or another presented on Russian market, we came to the conclusion that all of them are somehow able to provide the user with pleasant minutes of watching videos on the big screen home tv. However, there are a lot of comments, the main of which is the extremely low performance, which looks rather dull against the background of the same inexpensive Chinese smartphones and tablets with eight-core processors and more or less decent video accelerators. Nevertheless, such mini-PCs will certainly prove useful for those who have not yet managed to buy a "fancy" TV equipped with the latest technology.
The hero of today's story is a gadget designed to make it possible to work with the Internet through a TV that initially does not have support for Smart TV or the Internet in general in any form - neither via cable nor via WiFi. This miracle is called the Prefix Android Smart TV Box for the TV, which is essentially a mini computer (Mini PC Box) with a preinstalled mobile operating system. This device connects via a modern HDMI or an old-fashioned AV cable to any TV that has these connectors and turns it into big tablet. In this manual, I will tell you in detail how to connect and configure a TV set-top box.
Features of TV Box Android Mini PC Box
Surprisingly, even in 2018, while shopping, I found that not all modern fancy TVs are equipped with even a simple Ethernet port for connecting an Internet cable. What can we say about wi-fi. So the invention, invented by the Chinese several years ago, is more relevant today than ever.
Moreover, Android TV set-top boxes, like any electronics, are being improved along with other technologies. Therefore, top models today support both video in 4K resolution, and wifi in the 5 GHz band, and many other goodies that make our life more enjoyable. And it will completely allow you to get rid of the need to pay a monthly fee for a television antenna, which is installed in the apartment by default.
So let's figure it out. There are many modifications of Android TV set-top boxes on the market now, which differ mainly in the size of RAM, processor power and additional functions, but they all have common features:
- WiFi support
- Storage support via OTG cable
- Embedded Android system
- USB ports for connecting peripherals and flash drives to view videos or photos
- Many models have slots for SD memory cards
Installing, connecting and configuring the Android TV Box does not require any skills and works directly, as they say, “out of the box” without any additional drivers or programs - connected by HDMI cable to the TV, and go.
Programs for Android set-top boxes are no different from applications for a regular phone - in most cases they immediately have Google Play, YouTube, browser and so on - as on any tablet. Accordingly, new applications are installed in the same way as in any smartphone through Play market. You can control them both through the connected mouse or keyboard, and through a special remote control.
Instructions on how to connect an Android TV box to a TV as a Smart TV
But let's move from words to practical instructions and see how to connect Android TV Box in reality. Before purchasing a model, make sure that your computer HDMI or AV input (popularly called “tulips”). The latter is on all TVs with a “glass” tube, which means that even old TVs, inherited from parents and gathering dust on the far mezzanine for years, can be connected to the Android TV set-top box, and go online from them or play movies, music or photos from flash drives.
The same goes for the Android Smart TV itself - most inexpensive small models have only an HDMI connector, if you have a very old TV, then it will not work.
At the same time, keep in mind that if your TV supports HDMI, then naturally use it to get the highest quality picture. Even on a good modern TV, connecting a Smart TV Box through AV tulips will give a mediocre image, like on a tube TV. Next, plug the set-top box into a power outlet and select HDMI or AV as the input signal source in the TV menu, depending on which cable you connected the Android TV Box to.
In short, it is necessary that both the set-top box and the TV set have identical connectors. Better, of course, HDMI - the quality will be much higher.
We turn to the practice of connecting a TV set-top box on Android to a TV. Choose your option:
- HDMI cable
- or AV tulips for old TVs
and connect the TV Box to the TV
The familiar to everyone will appear on the screen. Android users picture.
Now you can install everything on the console and enjoy watching.
How to set up an Android TV box through a WiFi router?
Here you can already use pre-installed utilities, but working with Android TV Box would be incomplete without its main advantage - the ability to access the Internet. In order to configure the set-top box to work on the Internet and connect to WiFi router do the same as in the tablet:
After that, you can already enjoy all the benefits of the Internet - download applications, watch movies on YouTube, browse sites, play games, and so on.
How to control Android TV Box from phone?
To facilitate the management of Smart TV Box on Android, many models support operation as a co, which must be purchased separately. An alternative to it can be an application that is installed on a smartphone or tablet and turns it into a remote control for the set-top box.
There are many such programs - I have already introduced you to one of them. It was pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones. Its advantage is that it interacts not only with TV set-top boxes, but also with TVs, air conditioners and other household appliances and other elements of a smart home.
However, just downloading it and installing it will not work, and even more so when it comes to an iPhone. Therefore, today we will talk about another universal and, most importantly, cross-platform application - Cetus Play. I briefly talked about him in an article about. It can be downloaded from both the Google Play Market and the Apple Store. And it means to install both on Android phones and on iOS - iPhone or iPad.
To control an Android TV box from your phone, 2 conditions are necessary:
- Connecting both the set-top box and the smartphone to the same wifi networks
- Installing the same app on both devices.
This means that you will need to go to the same Play Market on the console and install the version of the Cetus Play program for Android TV. It is also free and freely available.
About two years ago, a completely new type of device began to appear on the shelves of Chinese stores and in online catalogs: the so-called mini-PCs based on ARM processors and the Android operating system, equipped with an HDMI output. The devices turned out to be so successful and popular that soon clones began to be produced in almost every second Chinese basement, and even the most eminent online stores started selling them.
Mini PC?
Mini PC is a semi-official name for such devices. It would be more accurate to call them set-top boxes, but for some reason this did not take root. Often the name MK802 or MK808 is used, in honor of the first models of such devices. In any case, whatever the name, we are always talking about a device a little larger than a flash drive, with an HDMI output sticking out on one side, and several USB ports on the other.
The whole point is that by plugging such a thing into the HDMI port of any TV set, you can immediately turn it into a Smart TV without unnecessary troubles, on which you can watch YouTube videos via a Wi-Fi network, surf the Internet and generally run any Android device. software, including heavy games. And all this for some 2000 rubles, including an HDMI cable and a remote control.
On the back of the stick are two microUSB 2.0 ports, one full-size USB 2.0 port, a memory card slot, and an LED
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One of the first such consoles was the Rikomagic MK802 model, built on the basis of the already obsolete SoC Allwinner A10 (with a 1 GHz processor, 512 MB of RAM, GPU Mali-400 MP) and equipped with Android 4.0. The model went on sale in May last year and is no longer in production, giving way to the MK802 III and MK802 IV models based on the much more powerful dual-core Rockchip RK3066 and quad-core Rockchip RK3188 with 1 GB and 2 GB of memory, respectively. In addition to the HDMI output, all models are equipped with two microUSB 2.0 ports, USB port 2.0 and a microSD slot, which together allows you to use them as full-fledged computers with a keyboard, mouse, large memory card or external hard drive.
Over time, this line of devices has spawned a huge number of clones produced in a wide variety of Chinese factories. The most famous of them are iMito MX1 and MX2 with an aluminum case that dissipates heat very well, as well as the Minix Neo line, the models of which (G4, X5, X5, X3) differed little from the original. All of them are fully compatible with the MK802 III and, in fact, are its copy in a different case. With the release of the MK802 IV model, the corresponding iMito QX1 and Minix X7 models based on the quad-core Rockchip RK3188 with two gigabytes of memory immediately appeared.
Further in the article, I will talk about iMito MX1, which, although somewhat outdated, has managed to grow large quantity various manuals, improvements and firmware, among which there is Ubuntu, and its price is $ 30 lower. If you are just going to order a device, then I recommend stopping at iMito QX1 - in addition to the additional two cores and a gig of memory, it does not differ so much from the previous model, and a lot will be relevant for him. One has only to prepare for the fact that no alternative firmware let alone Ubuntu, there isn't one for it yet.
Purchase and launch
You can buy any of the devices listed above on one of three sites: dealextreame.com, tinydeal.com or pandawill.com. They almost do not differ in the quality of service, or prices, or delivery speed, so choose any, drive in the name of the device and click "Buy now". First, of course, you will have to make a credit card. After about a month, the parcel will arrive at the local post office.
I won't go into detail about what this miracle looks like. Everything is clear and without descriptions, I can only say that the rear microUSB port is used only for power, so it makes no sense to connect anything other than a charger to it. To turn it on, just plug the stick on one side into the HDMI input of any TV or monitor (well, or use an HDMI extension cable), and insert a miniUSB cable into the other side and power it in any convenient way - even with a charger, even through a computer.
The contraption turns on automatically immediately after power is applied, and after 20 seconds, the Android desktop appears on the screen. For ease of control, some manufacturers attach special remotes to their HDMI sticks (which can be bought for $ 10 apiece on the same dilextremes). But it is much more convenient to use, at least at first, a simple wireless mouse, it is detected without problems and works immediately after connection. In the future, instead of it, you can use the DroidMote software or the official RKRemoteControl, which allow you to steer the device from your smartphone (and yes, it's still more convenient than the remote control).
After acquiring a mouse, everything else becomes simple and obvious: setting the language, connecting to Wi-Fi, connecting a Google account, installing software. Inside, this is the most common Android, so there should not be any problems using it. If you really want to get the most out of this device and learn how to use it effectively, then you can't do without some tricks and hacks.
Mini PC disassembled Remote control
The mouse is good and convenient, and the keyboard is not bad, but we must take care of more universal control methods. A smartphone on the same android is best suited for this role, especially since any device of the MK802 series, with the exception of the first two, has its own system remote control using a smartphone called RKRemoteControl.
This system is good because, having the functionality of consoles that require root permissions, it already has a built-in server and does not need rooting itself. The only thing you have to do is download the control application from a third-party site (goo.gl/WOrQf) and install it yourself on the control device (smartphone or tablet).
The remote includes four main functions: touchpad (remote mouse), remote keyboard, media player control and navigation (buttons up, down, left, right, home, back, search, and so on). In general, the application is very good, although it is inferior to DroidMote, which works better and includes a joystick. On the other hand, you will have to pay for DroidMote, and even get root rights before that.
Another interesting option is to use various Bluetooth mice, keyboards and joysticks. Starting from MK802 III, the device supports blue tooth, so all this will work without any problems. By the way, so that when using various USB or any remote keyboards, the standard Android keyboard did not appear on the screen, you can install NULL Keyboard from the market. This is such a stub that takes the place of a normal clave. Before use, it must be activated through "Settings -> Language and input -> Default".
Wired Internet
In the event that for some reason you do not have Wi-Fi (which is very strange in 2013), the device can be connected to the Internet using a USB - RJ45 adapter. You can buy this again in any Chinese online store for $ 3-4 (for example, here: goo.gl/tt9cP), well, or in a computer store, overpaying three times.
In any case, just plug the adapter into the USB port, enable the Ethernet option in the settings, and if there is a DHCP server on the other end, the system will be on the Internet in a few seconds. If a static setting is used, then in the same Ethernet option there is a “Static IP Settings” item for this, where you can independently register the IP, gateway address and DNS server.
And root again
Although the MK802 can be used without rooting and installing third-party firmware, the latter open up much more interesting opportunities. So, having root, you can turn off the display of the bottom control line, which is almost meaningless on the TV, activate the debugging mode (ADB) via Wi-Fi, which allows you to effortlessly transfer files to the device, do backups applications, synchronize application data (which is very convenient to use for sharing saves in games), and much more.
As with any other Android device, there are three ways to root the MK802: use an exploit, flash an update with root, or install an already rooted custom firmware. In the next section, I will talk about installing the Finless ROM firmware, and now I will explain how to get the root on the MK802 III.
The easiest and most straightforward way to do this is to install a specially prepared update that will add the /system/bin/su command and the SuperUser application to the system, providing access to superuser privileges. To do this, just follow three simple steps:
- Download the update.zip file (goo.gl/gbbDE) and put it in the root of any existing memory card.
- Insert a memory card into the device, after which an update message should appear on the screen, followed by a reboot and installation of the firmware.
- After the installation process is completed, the card should be removed and the file removed from it, otherwise, after re-sticking it, the device will try to update again. After the reboot, the firmware will be rooted and you can use the full!screen app to hide the status bar, WiFi ADB to access ADB via wireless network, PPP Widget for simple connection to the Internet via a 3G modem, and you will also get the opportunity to use the device as a server (more on that later).
firmware
The RK3066 system-on-chip and its later modifications, on which the MK802 is based, starting from version III, differ in that the manufacturer does not open the SDK for its hardware. Because of this, the process of porting other operating systems is much more difficult, and it is impossible to find assemblies, for example, of the same CyanogenMod for devices based on RK3066. It remains to be content with modifications standard firmware from the manufacturer. The most interesting of them, I would call the Finless ROM firmware, suitable for MK802 III and analogues. It differs from stock in the following ways:
- Auto-hide the status bar when starting any application. A very handy feature, available through the menu: "Settings -> Display -> Auto Hide System Bar".
- Ability to turn on the lock screen. The function is useful in that it allows you to set a pin code so that no one but you can use Smart TV.
- Automatic sleep with screen blanking. Fires after a certain period of time after the termination of any network activity. Enabled in "Settings -> Display -> Sleep mode".
- Support for determining the location by IP address. Allows, for example, to obtain more accurate search results or correctly work applications that display the weather and other geo-dependent data.
- Fix compatibility issue with games from Gameloft, which affects almost all devices on RK3066.
- Support for hardware video decoding in XBMC.
- Compatible with Xbox joystick.
However, the most important thing is full support video output in 1080p resolution. The fact is that, although the MK802 supports output at this resolution, Android somehow operates with a 720p picture, and when sent to the screen, it scales it up to 1080p. As a result, when viewed up close on Full HD screens, the image looks fuzzy, and text on a white background becomes difficult to read.
The manufacturer did this on purpose, because the device copes with 1080p mode with great difficulty, which is why Android starts to slow down, games lag, and 1080p video loads the device so much that it can simply burn out. If that doesn't bother you, Finless ROM comes with a Full HD kernel that you can select at boot.
Like all other devices on the RK3066, the MK802 III is flashed using the proprietary Rockchip Batch Tool, and the flashing process itself resembles some kind of illogical quest from a bad game. In general, it is done like this:
- We de-energize the experimental device, and plug the power cable into the side OTG connector instead of the rear one. We plug the reverse end of the cable into the computer.
- We load Windows on the computer and download the archive with the firmware and all the necessary tools goo.gl/Df5Ur.
- We unpack the archive anywhere, and run the file ROM FLash Tool.exe contained in it, which displays a window where the inscription “No Found RKAndroid rock USB” should appear.
- In the device settings, activate the access mode to the drive using "Settings -> Memory -> Menu -> Mass Storage".
- After that, "Found RKAndroid Mass Storage USB" should appear in the ROM Flash Tool. If so, click on the "Reboot to Flash Mode" button.
- The device reboots and then appears in the manager Windows devices as an unknown device. To fix this, you should go to the device manager, find a device with a type name RK30 marked with a yellow exclamation mark, open it and click the "Update driver" button. Next, you should specify the folder with the unpacked Finless ROM to search for the driver, in it x32 or x64, depending on the bit depth of the OS, and already there the desired OS (Xp, Vista ...). Windows will install the driver and prompt you to reboot. We agree.
- After the reboot, run ROM FLash Tool.exe again, wait for the inscription “Found RKAndroid Mass Storage USB” to appear. Again, click "Reboot to Flash Mode", wait for the same inscription to appear, then click "Erase NAND (IDB)" to erase everything on the device.
- (Optional step) If a Full HD kernel is required, find kernel720.img in the top list of flashable components and rename it to kernel1080.img.
- Click "Flash ROM" and wait for the end of the firmware.
- We are waiting for the system to fully boot.
If the system does not boot, repeat the last four steps.
WARNING
- When activating sleep mode in Finless ROM, do not forget to turn on wifi settings permanent connection to the network, otherwise, immediately after the device falls asleep, you will lose connection with it.
- In the Finless ROM firmware, the device name is changed to GT-I9100 (Galaxy S II) for compatibility with more applications in the market. So don't be surprised to see samsung galaxy S II instead of the usual MK802 III.
Server
A great feature of the MK802 is that it is not necessary to connect HDMI to work. This feature, combined with the tiny size of the device itself, makes the MK802 a tempting candidate for an energy-efficient home server with very good performance. One problem remains to be solved - Android is not suitable for such tasks.
When installing Picuntuneed to flash
kernel to recovery partition
The easiest way to do this is to install the Servers Ultimate app from the market. This is nothing less than a collection of about 40 different servers and 14 network utilities for monitoring and managing. The application allows you to run servers such as DHCP, DNS, CVS, FTP, MySQL, HTTP, PHP, X11, SMB and even Styx. Moreover, this is not just a collection of servers in a beautiful graphical shell, which can only be started and stopped with default settings. Each server has a graphical configuration interface that allows you to change many options. Of course, you can’t configure an optimized nginx with Ruby on Rails in this way, but you can run your own FTP and SMB server to share files from a USB connected hard drive very possible.
Servers Ultimate is fully integrated into Android and allows you to start servers on boot or when events occur, view server status and logs using a user-friendly interface, and much more. In general, it's just a dream, but it's all worth it - even taking into account the seasonal price reduction - $ 10. Free version allows you to run only two servers at the same time, and even then within 14 days (Trial).
However, in the market you can find many other, mostly lower quality wrappers for running servers. The same droidsshd for SSH, for example. If you have root, you can also use Linux distribution installation tools, such as Linux Deploy, and install the necessary servers already in it. An even more interesting option is the BotBrew tool (botbrew.com), which allows you to install Linux software, including Apache and Samba, directly on Android. By the way, in the next issue of the magazine there will be a separate article about him, do not miss it. Well, the surest option is to install a real Linux distribution on the device.
ubuntu
Despite the absence of any normally working firmware based on CyanogenMod, for MK802 III and clones there is a high-quality and fully functional port of Ubuntu 12.10, and even installed as an alternative OS next to the main code.google.com. In fact, this means that the MK802 can be a very good thin client, server, or simple PC for purposes such as "check mail" or "look at cats on the Internet." For a price of $60, this is very, very good.
The installation itself includes two steps: the first is flashing an alternative kernel into the recovery section of the device, and the second is installing the system itself on a USB flash drive or SD card (you will need a card with a size of at least 4 GB). To flash the kernel, we will use the ROM FLash Tool.exe, which is already familiar with installing the Finless ROM firmware. Download the core goo.gl/uXQBS , run ROM FLash Tool.exe, but this time, in the upper part of the window, uncheck all fields except the sixth (recovery), click on the last field and select the previously downloaded file. Click "Flash ROM". It's all.
To install the Ubuntu distribution itself on a memory card, boot into Linux on a desktop machine (no way without it), download the script pre-picuntu.sh goo.gl/RsRlS , run:
bash pre-picuntu.sh
and follow the instructions. Alternatively, you can install it yourself. To do this, you need to create an ext4 partition on the memory card with the name linuxroot, and then unpack the archive with the goo.gl/y0Kq6 system into it. Next, insert the memory card into the device and reboot into recovery mode one of two ways to choose from:
- Using the Reboot app in Finless ROM.
- By running the command "su && reboot recovery" in the Android terminal (need root). The system will then reboot into Ubuntu. If everything is OK, the login window will appear, the password for root is 12qwaszx. To return back to Android, simply reboot the device in any way (even by pulling out the power cable).
www
- Branch MK802 III on w3bsit3-dns.com: goo.gl/LDZAL
- Firmware for MK802 III and compatible devices: goo.gl/QSCLQ
conclusions
The MK802 is an excellent device that more than makes up for its price. With the proper level of knowledge and patience, it can be made to do absolutely everything, from playing Internet radio to hosting files. You can turn it into a thin client or buy a Bluetooth joystick and play games. Despite its Chinese origin and ridiculous price, it has virtually no design problems and can work for weeks on end.
Suppose you have already decided to purchase Smart TV set-top box. We decided on the characteristics and price, picked up several models, and ... faced a new question - Windows or Android?
Of course, if you work in the IT industry and you have long developed the habit of disliking everything related to Microsoft and adore everything related to Linux, then there was no problem for you - according to the characteristics, many Android Smart TV attachments do nothing at all. windows mini pc– smart TV set-top boxes for Windows.
But there are some differences in functionality. Windows is operating system, which everyone is accustomed to perceive as a stationary, bulky (“heavy”) operating system for office and gaming computers. And Android - as something “light”, mobile, the operating system of smartphones and tablet PCs. There is still a grain of truth in this. It is also reflected in Smart TV set-top boxes.
android tv box is lightness and convenience. Don't load her and she won't "load" you. Search? - Catch. Need an app urgently? - The Play Market will not only deliver it directly to the device, but the system itself will quickly install and prepare for use. Video on demand, applications for every taste, many of which are free, nimble operation, wireless synchronization with mobile devices, online TV, weather and news widgets, personal assistants - you can list a lot of time.
But in order to watch a movie on a Windows mini PC, you will have to at least tinker with a flash drive.
True, it is worth noting that Smart TV boxes on Windows are full-sized work station. Since the operating system on such devices is predominantly desktop (and not mobile, as is the case with android), then all programs that can be installed on desktop computer- office applications, music players, and, most importantly, games. After all, when else will you be able to play World of Tanks, Assassin's Creed, or even Quake while sitting on the couch with a joystick in front of the TV? Here is a prefix on Windows able to allow you. Also, as a rule, Windows mini PCs are equipped with processors and graphics accelerators. by Intel, which for some users may be an additional bonus in favor of Windows.
In any case, it's up to you. Even 5 years ago, many would have preferred a mini PC on Windows as a platform with a more familiar interface. But now, when on the street it is less and less possible to meet a person without a smartphone and when Android is becoming more and more dense in our lives, the decision is made in favor of a gadget that is more convenient, necessary and suitable for the needs.
So, if you need a fast and convenient mini-PC with which you can access the Internet directly from the TV, while quickly answering Skype and switching back to TV, then Android Smart TV is your option. But if you are used to massive multifunctional systems, and also do not understand your rest without a couple of hours computer games- then feel free to take Windows mini PC.
