Mini Android computer for connecting to TV. Comparison of Android TV and Windows mini PC. Connecting external devices

It's been a long time since computers took up an entire desk. Today, powerful mini PCs are the size of a sandwich. Whether you're looking for a compact device to free up space in your apartment or want to create an entertainment media center for yourself while traveling, you'll find the right option in this selection.

We present to our readers the February 2017 top five best mini pcs. We invite 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 belongs to the new line of mini computer consoles from Azulle. Unlike previous mini-PC models presented by Azulle, the Access Plus clearly stands out. The device has many applications for 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 also go online and view content absolutely anywhere where you can connect to a monitor or TV.

The Portable Access Plus is a cooler-free mini PC that lets you do the same things as 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 whether this thing could cope with the entire list of capabilities that were attributed to it? Have you seen the first Chromecasts? This is what I expected.

As it turned out, my doubts were in vain. Let's start with the fact that the build quality is at the highest level. The device has a metal body, very moderate weight and impeccable quality. This is a very fast mini PC that easily replaces a regular one if the user needs Internet access, access to email or office applications.

With 2GB RAM and 32GB ROM, not counting 64GB - the maximum expandable storage - the user will have more than enough space to store their files. To summarize, this model is a good option that will certainly brighten up your leisure time:

Activated Windows 10 OS,
high speed,
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

With Intel Z8300 processor and Windows 10 / Android 5.1(4 GB + 64 GB)

The GOLE1 is equipped with a quad-core processor and an Intel Gen 8-LP video accelerator. In addition, there is a 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 works great on GOLE1.

The screen is clear and crisp, and Windows 10 works as it should. High-speed SD cards are not supported, but class 4 cards work fine. Personally, I use a 32GB class 4 card without any problems, and I also watch high-definition videos without any lag.

I work on the device using the Rii i8 92 Mouse Touchpad Combo wireless keyboard or simply connect a wireless mouse. Both devices are perfectly recognized. HDMI, HDMI and VGA connectors work without problems, and the sound quality transmitted through headphones connected to the HDMI connector is commendable.

I really liked the Gole1 and am very glad I purchased this model.

mini PC Byte Plus

With Intel CherryTrail T3 Quad-Core Z8300 (4GB + 32GB)

Byte Plus is part of the new line of mini-PCs from Azulle. The device is designed to perform many different multitasking operations. Azulle has 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 of Microsoft Office you can complete tasks for work or school. It doesn’t matter what the nature of the tasks 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 a sound during operation. I would have shelled 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 like 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 came to the conclusion that it works best on Ubuntu. Others had difficulty installing.

If you are happy with Windows, then there will be no problems at all.

Where to buy cheap?

All over the world, digital media content is extremely popular. And this is not surprising, because the development of modern technologies has made it possible for users of the World Wide Web to gain access to 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 now does not necessarily have to go to the store to buy the movie or music he likes. Now all this can be obtained in a “virtual” form, much cheaper and, no less important, faster.

Moreover, if previously you had to connect your computer to a TV or use a DVD player to watch a video on a big screen, now there is no need for this. Modern mini-PCs running Android OS are easy to set up and use, they provide enormous capabilities for playing various media formats, have access to the Internet and, unlike conventional computers, load their OS almost instantly.

So, we decided to test four models of inexpensive mini-computers and see how worthy they are of the attention of potential buyers.

Haier DMA6000(average price 4500 rub.)

The appearance of this device is quite nice - despite the plastic body, the miniature device looks quite impressive. The build quality is also excellent - 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: a remote control with a USB receiver, an AC adapter, a USB cable, an HDMI extension cable and a quick start guide.

On the left side of the device there is an HDMI connector, through which the model is connected to the corresponding input of the TV. There is also a slot for microSD memory cards, as well as a micro USB port used to power the device. Between these connectors there is an LED indicator indicating the current state of the device.

To connect various peripherals (keyboard and mouse, USB drives or webcam), use a full-size USB port located on the right side of the case. By default, it is used in conjunction with the included USB remote control receiver.

The remote control is full-size, 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 runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS. The basis of the hardware component is a dual-core 1.6 GHz ARM Cortex-A9 processor, while the video accelerator is the long-familiar Mali 400. 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 here. Our testing confirmed this - the device's rating in the popular Antutu benchmark turned out to be very low, Haier DMA6000 scored only 5500 points.

Playing the test Full HD video was also not pleasing - the picture twitched and dropped frames were noticeable.

Android mini PC MK 809(average price 4500 rub.)

The design of this device, without a doubt, can be called quite successful - the top and bottom panels are designed in a carbon fiber look, while the sides shine in gloss black. The assembly is of high quality, the halves fit together quite tightly, so the design looks solid and makes a good impression.

The packaging is a small cardboard box, the design of which is clearly not very creative - it doesn’t even have the manufacturer’s name on it. The equipment is also ordinary - all that the user will receive is an AC power supply, a USB to micro USB cable, a 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 purchase 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 microSD memory cards and a device operation indicator.

This mini PC comes with a bare-bones version of Android 4.2.2, without any additions or major changes. The device has five desktops with a Google search bar at the top, while the menu bar at the bottom of the screen has back, home, task switching and volume keys. Additionally, the user interface has a screenshot button that will allow you to take a screenshot of your desktop and save the image to your memory card.

The heart of the hardware is the quad-core 1600 MHz Rockchip RK3188 processor, while the Mali-400 MP4 accelerator is responsible for video processing. The amount of RAM is 1 GB, flash memory is 8 GB. Wireless interfaces include 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 synthetic Antutu benchmark, the device scored 14,356 points, which means that not very complex “toys” will work on it. Playing the test video did not reveal any visible “brakes,” although it is worth considering that the interface resolution is 1280x672 pixels, so playing Full HD content is simply devoid of common sense.

iMito-MX1 Bluetooth(average price 5100 rub.)

This device, developed by engineers from the Middle Kingdom, has an elegant appearance - it looks very nice, largely thanks to the well-chosen material. Most of the body 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. Frankly, this is the first time we have seen this. But the delivery package turned out to be rather poor - in addition to the device itself, only a couple of cables and a paper insert with a more than loose translation of the instructions were found. It is assumed that the device will be powered by connecting to the USB connector of the TV, however, on many models, especially older 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 source on their own.

The case has four connectors - 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.

The hardware is based on a dual-core 1.6 GHz Rockchip RK3066 processor, complemented by a Mali 400 MP4 graphics accelerator. The RAM capacity is 1 GB, and 8 GB ROM is used for data storage. Wireless interfaces include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth, through which you can connect a keyboard, mouse, headset and other devices.

The operating system is “bare” Android 4.1.1. On the one hand, this is good, because the abundance of various pre-installed software, and even from a Chinese manufacturer, is sometimes quite annoying, on the other hand, they could have installed at least a decent video player. However, the Google Play service 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 froze and then rebooted. Playing back the test video revealed some jerking and jerking, although the less-heavy videos went off without a hitch.

Defender Smart Android HD2(average price 4200 rub.)

The model is made in a small black case with blue edging - despite a certain laconicism, it looks very good. The color is matte, so this device is not susceptible to fingerprints. 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 information about the main technical characteristics and technologies used is provided. The package includes everything you need: the device itself, an AC power adapter, an HDMI extension cable, a small manual, a warranty card and a power cable with an additional USB connector.

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 built on a dual-core 1.6 GHz Rockchip RK3066 processor and a Mali 400 MP4 video accelerator. The RAM capacity 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 connecting the corresponding peripherals. The model runs on the Android 4.2 operating system.

As for performance... We can say that it is at the level of Chinese tablets from two years ago. In the AnTuTu Benchmark test, the device scored 5975 points, so you won’t be able to play particularly “cool” games. When watching the video, the situation turned out to be much better; at least, we did not notice any “brakes” when playing the test video.

Having tested four inexpensive devices, one way or another presented on the Russian market, we came to the conclusion that all of them, in one way or another, are able to provide the user with pleasant minutes of watching videos on the big screen of a home TV. However, there are a lot of comments, the main one of which is the extremely low performance, which looks rather dull compared to the same inexpensive Chinese smartphones and tablets with eight-core processors and more or less decent video accelerators. Nevertheless, such mini-PCs will certainly be useful for those who have not yet managed to buy themselves a “sophisticated” 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, which initially does not support Smart TV or the Internet in general in any form - neither via cable nor via WiFi. This miracle is called the Android Smart TV Box for TV, which is essentially a mini computer (Mini PC Box) with a pre-installed mobile operating system. This device connects via a modern HDMI or 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 the Android Mini PC Box TV set-top box

Surprisingly, even in 2018, while shopping, I discovered that not all modern sophisticated 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 video in 4K resolution, wifi in the 5 GHz range, and many other “goodies” that make our lives more enjoyable. And it will completely eliminate the need to pay a subscription fee for a television antenna, which is installed in the apartment by default.

So let's figure it out. There are now many modifications of Android TV set-top boxes on the market, differing mainly in the size of RAM, processor power and additional functions, but they all have common features:

WiFi support
Support for storage devices via OTG cable
Built-in 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 - connect via HDMI cable to the TV, and off you go.

Programs for Android consoles are no different from applications for a regular phone - in most cases they immediately have Google Play, YouTube, a browser, and so on - just like on any tablet. Accordingly, new applications are installed just like in any smartphone through the Play Market. They can be controlled either through a connected mouse or keyboard, or through a special remote control.

Instructions on how to connect an Android TV set-top box to a TV as a Smart TV

But let's move from words to practical instructions and see how to actually connect an Android TV Box. Before purchasing a model, make sure your computer has an HDMI or AV input (popularly called “tulips”). The latter is available on all TVs with a “glass” tube, which means that even old TVs, inherited from parents and collecting dust on the far mezzanine for years, can be connected to the Android TV set-top box, and you can access the Internet from them or play movies, music or photos from flash drives.

The same goes for Android Smart TV itself - most inexpensive small models only have an HDMI connector; if you have a very old TV, it will not work.

Please 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 via AV tulips will produce a mediocre image, like on a tube TV. Next, plug in the set-top box and in the TV menu select HDMI or AV as the input signal source, depending on which cable you used to connect the Android TV Box.

In short, it is necessary that both the set-top box and the TV have identical connectors. Better, of course, HDMI - the quality will be noticeably higher.

Let's move on 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 it.

How to set up an Android TV set-top box via 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 connect to the Internet. In order to configure the set-top box to work on the Internet and connect to the WiFi router, we do the same as on the tablet:

After this, you can already enjoy all the benefits of the Internet - download applications, watch movies on YouTube, browse websites, play games, and so on.

How to control Android TV Box from your phone?

To make it easier to manage Smart TV Box on Android, many models support work as with, which must be purchased separately. An alternative could 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, you won’t be able to just download it and install it, especially if we are talking about an iPhone. Therefore, today we will talk about another universal and, most importantly, cross-platform application - Cetus Play. I talked about it briefly in an article about. It can be downloaded from both Google Play Market and Apple Store. This means installing it both on Android and iOS phones – iPhone or iPad.

To control an Android TV set-top box from your phone, you need 2 conditions:

Connecting both the set-top box and the smartphone to the same wifi network
Install an identical application on both devices.

This means 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 publicly available.

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

It's no secret that modern technologies have made it possible to significantly reduce the size of computers. Now you can always have a tool for work and entertainment at hand; it can easily fit even into a handbag. A special monitor is also not required; the device easily connects to any TV via HDMI. No cluttered space at home and no unnecessary wires. In short, 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 Mali 400 is responsible for the graphics. This is productive hardware that can work with the most “heavy” software. If we talk about video playback, then in principle there can be no problems with such an “engine”. Perhaps, it is the desire to comfortably watch FullHD video with a high bitrate that can become the main motive for purchasing 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 + a slot for an SD card up to 32 GB.

The operating system used here is Android version 4.2.2 with the ability to update, and the main tool for playing videos is the reliable and beloved XBMC Player. Here it is called XBMC MiniX Edition.

Interfaces

The device is equipped with all necessary interfaces. There is an Ethernet port and a Wi-Fi module that supports 802.11 b/g/n standards and operates in both frequency modes (2.4 and 5 GHz). If the Internet comes to you via an Ethernet cable, you can use 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 may 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 previous MIniX Neo X5 and Neo G4 models, the Neo X7 minicomputer is equipped with an external antenna that guarantees uninterrupted Wi-Fi connectivity. 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 is distinguished by a really high-quality and neat assembly. The minicomputer comes with an HDMI cable, remote control and OTG cable. The filling of the MiniX Neo X7 consists of parts from reliable and popular manufacturers: memory from Hynix, audio chip from RealTek, processor from Rockchip.

Price

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

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 runs on 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 in length, 3.2 in 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 drive. The dimensions are close to ideal, as they are not so small that the owner could 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 set-top boxes based on Android:

“Android HDMI dongle mini PC”
“Android TV box”

Let's start the description 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 popularly referred to as “male”, 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, 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-sized USB ports and a component video output, external antenna, microphone input and 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 have been significantly increased (when compared with previous models) and is presented to the public as a stationary multimedia TV set-top box. The most modern of the model range is considered to be the MINIX NEO X5, and the Mini X Plus also belongs to this type.

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, a huge system unit, by modern standards, a monitor and a keyboard with an “eternal” mouse. But technology is developing at a rapid pace, which in the 20th century was considered a computer, occupied an entire room in area, modern PCs are considered microcomputers in comparison, so let's find out what Android mini PC is?

Based on the technical characteristics, the mini PC is very similar to modern smartphones. The heart of the device is the ARM Cortex A9 processor, whose clock frequency ranges from 1.2 to 1.6 GHz, a 4-core ARM Mali-400 graphics accelerator, 1 GB of RAM and about 4-8 GB 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 been in use for more than five years has technical characteristics four times worse.

But one cannot help but notice that the mini PC does not have a screen, a 3G module, a microphone, a speaker, and operation without an external power source is simply not possible. But the main feature is the presence of a large number of different ports, with which you can connect everything you need for full operation. It turns out that by connecting a mouse and keyboard, you can use almost all the functions that a standard computer has. In other words, work with graphic, text, audio and video files, freely navigate the vastness of the World Wide Web, make purchases in online stores, communicate with friends and colleagues.

It is worth noting that Android was initially developed exclusively as an operating system for mobile devices - but due to its popularity, it began to be installed on tablets, smartphones and e-readers. TVs that are equipped with a full-fledged Android system and wireless communication modules are just beginning to appear on the horizon, with prices starting from 100 thousand rubles, while a device called Android mini PC will cost the buyer only $100, which is much cheaper, but functionality and practicality can be debated to infinity!