Dos_Box Posted August 6, 2015 Posted August 6, 2015 These have suddenly come across my radar in my search for the most cost effective home media streamer. Currently I have a Roku 3 which, whilst very good at what it does is now beginning to suffer from what I suspect will be a common problem with all media streamers later on in that certain large streaming providers (I'm looking at you here Amazon) are going to either favour thier own brand devices or not provide their apps for certain devices. In the meantime I have been looking for a suitable alternative. I do like NUC's but feel that they are too expensive and over specced for what I actually want it to do but last week I came across these: Cheap Windows Mini PC 2015, Intel Compact PC for Media at GeekBuying.com Like most Chinese products they follow a similar set of low-cost components, in this case quad core Atoms, 2/4GB RAM (still not sure which type but presue DDR 3) and either a 32 or 64GB SSD, WiFi, HDMI, Win 8.1 and ethernet. Some also come with the ability to dual boot with Android as well! Best of all they come in at between £60 and £90! Basically they seem to fit the bill nicely and there are quite a few reviews online, especially on YouTube such as this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1BFG_tiOIQ So, has anyone brought one of these Chinese boxes yet and if so what did you think of it? Oh and I bet it totally rocks with Mame!!
Chris_ Posted August 6, 2015 Posted August 6, 2015 They've been mentioned in relation to digital signage, I assume they've been working ok: http://www.edugeek.net/forums/hardware/153552-small-windows-8-pc.html#post1316830 I looked in to using one for a HTPC but reviews said although they were fine for 1080p content, they would struggle with 4k, although I don't own a 4k TV or have any 4k content so it's a little irrelevant!
3s-gtech Posted August 6, 2015 Posted August 6, 2015 Closest I've used is http://www.amazon.co.uk/Foxconn-nT-A3500-Nettop-Dual-Core-1-6GHz/dp/B004YZM5B4 The E350 is long defunct now, but they're nice little machines. We use them for video conferencing with Lync, full HD. Not as cheap as the new wave of devices that come with Windows 8.1 with Bing though, and not as quick, but they can take SSDs and 8GB of RAM.
Arthur Posted August 6, 2015 Posted August 6, 2015 Some mini-PCs - like the PiPO X7 - have thermal throttling issues out of the box and require a little bit of modding... www.neowin.net/news/our-review-of-the-pipo-x7-the-128-quad-core-windows-81-mini-pc I installed a temperature reader and boy oh boy, this thing was hitting low 80's when just idling. The TJMax on this SoC is 90 degrees so I was literally edging the device the entire time. That's why it was running so slow: the processor would throttle itself lower and lower the closer it gets to the TJMax, causing the effect I was experiencing. Googling this phenomenon led me to discover that I wasn't the only one who had learned this, and there was already a community dedicated to modding the mini PC's cooling. I went ahead and purchased a set of aluminum heatsinks and thermal pads and began modding the device. Eventually, after the mods were complete, the temperatures went down to high 30's when idling and high 40's to low 50's when streaming Plex or Netflix with a 1080p video playing in Windows Media Player. When doing a torture test on Prime95 it ends up in the mid 60's. The total cost of the mods was about $15. The above modifications are something that have to be done with the device, there is no "ifs" or "buts." If you plan on owning this device, you would have to perform the mods. 1
Dos_Box Posted August 6, 2015 Author Posted August 6, 2015 Some mini-PCs - like the PiPO X7 - have thermal throttling issues out of the box and require a little bit of modding... www.neowin.net/news/our-review-of-the-pipo-x7-the-128-quad-core-windows-81-mini-pc Oooh! And a chance to play with the insides too But yeah, I too have seen the reports of heat issues on some devices as well as some slow SSD's too. I must choose carefully, although the SSD speed is not really going to be an issue, but better to be faster!
Dos_Box Posted September 8, 2015 Author Posted September 8, 2015 *UPDATE* In the end I got one of these: Tronsmart BJ19 Intel Quad Core HDMI AC Wifi LAN Bluetooth4.0 Mini PC A nice little box to use as a Kodi front end and run emulators/Amazon Instant Video/Netflix off. The only problem it had is that the Chinese manufacturers neglected to include or list any divers, not even what components it has. That was a fun day or so. Coupled with the fact the BIOS had been configured by an untrained monkey it made for a great amount of trial and error when getting it configured. Now done it runs great and the quad core Celeron is very nippy coupled with an SSD
whartomt01 Posted November 11, 2015 Posted November 11, 2015 how has the mini pc behaved. looking for something cheaper than a nuc, just for plex / kodi mainly.
lionsl2005 Posted January 27, 2016 Posted January 27, 2016 (edited) I am using Mini PCs almot 4 years now. Statred with Mk808. Minix Neo X8-h plus is my Favorite. Minix offer Great hardware Acceleration and Firmware support. U1 looks Very good. . Lately got an updated Version of MK808B plus . Works well too. Install Kodi, you good to go. Edited January 27, 2016 by lionsl2005 typoooo
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