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 2017 top five of the 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 top notch. The device has a 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:

1. Activated OS Windows 10,
2. high speed,
3. stable work.

The device does not heat up during resource-intensive operations, high build quality, 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 the wireless keyboard Rii i8 92 Mouse Touchpad Combo or just connect 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 part of a new line of mini PCs 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. A c help from Microsoft Office can do work or school tasks. 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 install Linux such as Ubuntu 15 and higher on a mini PC. 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?

Today we will share with you our impressions of the new Neo X7 minicomputer running on the Android operating system. The manufacturer of the device is MiniX.

It's no secret that modern technology has significantly reduced the size of computers. Now you can always have a tool for work and entertainment at hand, it can easily fit even in a lady's handbag. A special monitor is also not required, the device can be easily connected to any TV via HDMI. No cluttered home space and no extra wires. In a word, a minicomputer is a very practical thing for all family members, from grandson to grandmother. Now let's talk about everything in order.

Hardware and software

So, let's start with the filling and functions. The specifications indicate that the MiniX Neo X7 uses a quad-core ARM Cortex A9 from the manufacturer Rockchip as a processor, and the Mali 400 is responsible for the graphics. This is a productive hardware that can work with the most “heavy” software. If we talk about video playback, then there can be no problems with such a “motor” in principle. Perhaps it is the desire to comfortably watch FullHD video with a high bitrate that can become the main motive for buying such a monster. Fans of demanding 3D toys will also be delighted.

The device boasts a large amount of high-performance memory: 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage + an SD card slot up to 32 GB.

Used as an operating system android version 4.2.2 is upgradable, and the main tool for playing videos is the trouble-free and beloved by us XBMC Player. Here it is called XBMC MiniX Edition.

Interfaces

The device is equipped with all necessary interfaces. In the presence of an Ethernet port and a Wi-Fi module with support for 802.11 b / g / n standards and operating in both frequency modes (2.4 and 5 GHz). If the Internet comes to you via an Ethernet cable, you can use the MiniX as an access point and distribute Wi-Fi to all your laptops, smartphones and other gadgets directly from the mini computer. Moreover, no additional software is required for this, everything you need is already included in Android.

Wireless peripherals - mice, keyboards, headsets - are connected via Bluetooth 4.0, and for all other devices - hard drives, flash drives and other things that can be useful for games and other applications - there are 3 USB ports. Also, if desired, headphones and a microphone are connected to the console. The corresponding connectors are located on the front panel.

Separately about Wi-Fi

Unlike the previous MINiX Neo X5 and Neo G4 models, the Neo X7 minicomputer is equipped with an external antenna, which guarantees uninterrupted Wi-Fi connection. The signal quality is really excellent, and now you don’t have to think at all about which room your access point is located in.

About quality

The device has a really high-quality and neat assembly. The minicomputer comes with an HDMI cable, a remote control and an OTG cable. The filling of the MiniX Neo X7 consists of parts from reliable and popular manufacturers: memory from Hynix, an audio chip from RealTek, a processor from Rockchip.

Price

With all the charms listed above, MiniX Neo X7 will cost only 5 thousand rubles. For such a high-quality and productive device, this is a very reasonable price.

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

background

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, a Mali-400 MP graphics processor) 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 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 acquire a large number of 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 gigabyte of memory, it differs not so much from the previous model, and a lot will be relevant for him. One has only to prepare for the fact that there are no alternative firmware, not to mention Ubuntu, 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 with any convenient way- at least with a charger, at least 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 remote control system 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 does 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 MK802 can be used without root and installation third-party firmware, the latter open up much more interesting possibilities. 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 is the case 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:

1. Download the update.zip file (goo.gl/gbbDE) and put it in the root of any existing memory card.
2. 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.
3. 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 a 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 to the 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 the full support for 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:

1. 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.
2. We load Windows on the computer and download the archive with the firmware and all the necessary tools goo.gl/Df5Ur.
3. 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.
4. In the device settings, activate the access mode to the drive using "Settings -> Memory -> Menu -> Mass Storage".
5. After that, "Found RKAndroid Mass Storage USB" should appear in the ROM Flash Tool. If so, click on the "Reboot to Flash Mode" button.
6. The device reboots and after that appears in the Windows Device Manager as unknown device. To fix this, you should go to the device manager, find a device with a name like RK30, marked in yellow exclamation point, 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.
7. 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.
8. (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.
9. Click "Flash ROM" and wait for the end of the firmware.
10. 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 a 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, coupled with the tiny size of the device itself, makes the MK802 a tempting candidate for an energy-efficient, high-performance home server. One problem remains to be solved - Android is not suitable for such tasks.

When installing Picuntu
need 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 control. 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 standard 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 like "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 in one of two ways to choose from:

1. Using the Reboot app in Finless ROM.
2. 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

findings

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.

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 a large 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 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 size. random access memory, processor power and additional features, but they all have common features:

• WiFi support
• Storage support via OTG cable
• Embedded Android system
• USB ports for connecting peripherals and flash drives for watching 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 via 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

A picture familiar to all Android users will appear on the screen.

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 set up the set-top box to work on the Internet and connect to the WiFi router, we 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.

Based on the name of the device, it turns out that this is a mini computer combined with a TV set-top box and enclosed in one case. A very unusual device is running the well-known Android operating system version 4.0 and higher. “Mini”, the developers called this gadget for a reason, since the overall dimensions are really impressive: 8.8 cm - length, 3.2 - width, with a height of only 1.6 cm. The device is undoubtedly larger than an ordinary flash drive, but much smaller than a modern smartphone or external HDD disk. The dimensions are close to ideal, as they are not too small so that the owner can easily lose the device and not so large that the mini PC cannot fit in a jeans or jacket pocket.

Today, there are two types of mini computers and TV boxes based on Android:

1. Android HDMI dongle mini PC
2. Android TV box

Let's start with Android HDMI dongle mini PC

These devices are very similar to modern flash drives (flash drives), the model markings are as follows: UG007, UG802 and iMito MX1. As a rule, these gadgets are equipped with HDMI connectors, which is commonly referred to as “dad”, a power connector, a memory card slot and two USB ports, one of which is in mini format. These models are characterized by the absence of an external Wi-Fi antenna, an audio output, and a very modest set of ports. The advantages include the exceptional compactness of the device, which is important in our time.

Boxed version

Android TV boxes are characterized by the presence of several standard size USB ports and a component video output, an external antenna, a microphone port and an audio output. The main feature is the Internet port, but the remote control is not always included in the package. The overall dimensions of the device are significantly increased (compared to previous models) and it is presented to the public as a multimedia TV set-top box of a stationary type. The most modern of model range, is considered MINIX NEO X5, also to this type, refer to the Mini X Plus.

Learn more about Mini X Plus

Let's take a closer look at the Mini X Plus and try to figure out why this device is really called a big word - a computer? In the understanding of most people, a computer is, first of all, huge, by modern standards. system unit, monitor and keyboard with "eternal" mouse. But technology is developing at a rapid pace, what was considered a computer in the 20th century, occupied an entire room in area, modern PCs are considered microcomputers in comparison, so let's find out what is Android mini PC?

Based on the technical characteristics, the mini PC is very similar to modern smartphones. The heart of the device is an ARM Cortex A9 processor, clocked at 1.2 to 1.6 GHz, a quad-core ARM Mali-400 graphics accelerator, 1GB of RAM and about 4-8GB of internal memory. But now judge for yourself, a smartphone purchased less than a year ago does not reach these technical characteristics, but a PC that has worked for more than five years has specifications four times worse.

But it is impossible not to notice that the mini PC lacks a screen, a 3G module, a microphone, a speaker, and operation without an external power source is simply not possible. But main feature is the presence a large number various ports with which you can connect everything you need for full-fledged work. It turns out that by connecting a mouse and keyboard, you can use almost all the functions that standard computer. In other words, work with graphic, text, audio and video files, freely move around the world wide web, make purchases in online stores, communicate with friends and colleagues.

It is worth noting that initially Android was developed exclusively as operating system for mobile devices - but due to its popularity, it began to be installed both on tablets, smartphones and eBooks. TVs that are equipped with a full Android system and modules wireless communication just start to appear on the horizon, at a price of 100 thousand rubles, then a device called Android mini PC will cost the buyer only $ 100, which is much cheaper, but you can argue endlessly about functionality and practicality!