PC replacement - which one to choose?

[Barley]

Hi,

I am looking to replace my notebook as much as possible with a mini PC/TV stick. Preferred uses are:

Browsing
Forum reading
Email
Notes & PDFs
no or very light gaming (Osmos etc)
Movies
Comic reading and reading in general
News reading
Financial stuff
Video Skype and voip
IM
Databases (contacts, info etc.)
Tinkering

I don't need the unit right now, middle of March or possibly later would be fine.

I don't like WiFi (so I would keep it off most of the time) and prefer ethernet. USB 3.0, several USB2 and SATA would be great. I would like to use it with a 32 in. TV or 24 in. monitor, keyboard, mouse/fly mouse (I am flirting with an iPazzPort KP-810-30) and I have a Logitech C525 webcam. I want to attach a 1 TB notebook drive and headset with mic.

It should definitely have Android, and maybe dual boot to Windows for complete compatibility (if this doesn't make the price go crazy). Ideally it should cost less than 120 $, but for an exceptional machine it could be more. I want to use it in several different continents, where I go for several months staying in one place.

I would like to use the machine for 2 - 3 years or longer. I do not change my hardware too often any more, so I am looking for sthg stable, expandable and reliable. I want to be able to root the machine to use Titanium and such.

Are my expectations realistic? What would you guys suggest?

[ChrisG8]

Unless you think Android just handles some of the things you want better than Windows, I would suggest a Windows mini PC. The Minix Z64 will cost more but is worth looking at, then if it does meet your needs try to find similar hardware at a lower price if you must. Not sure how you are going to access the movies you want but if it is by using one of the mainstream streaming services such as Netflix, an unofficial Android mini PC won't work in HD and won't work at all for most or all of the other mainstream streaming services.

As far as a box that will dual boot and handle the mainstream streaming services properly running Windows, it might exist but I don't know what it is. Check to be sure each thing you want will work on whatever box, otherwise you will ikely end up disappointed with how something works or doesn't work.

[Barley]

Thank you for your input.

I would definitely want to have an Android system included, but I am open to dual boot.

Streaming I use very little, and if at all then it would be Amazon prime or YouTube.

Please keep the suggestions coming. :-)

I mainly watch videos from file.

[ChrisG8]

Thank you for your input.

I would definitely want to have an Android system included, but I am open to dual boot.

Streaming I use very little, and if at all then it would be Amazon prime or YouTube.

Please keep the suggestions coming. :-)

I mainly watch videos from file.

The unofficial Android mini PCs are not worth using for Amazon Prime Instant Video in my opinion, not even sure any of them work at all for that service and don't believe if any do that HD streaming is possible. I just checked again, all I can get is a message to use a compatible device when I try using the Amazon Prime Instant Video app. I think all of the unofficial Android mini PCs have the same problem, lacking the necessary approval and DRM handling.

[Barley]

That doesn't matter too much. I think it can be used in a browser, can't it.

But even if not, I can do without Amazon Prime, as I said: "If at all ..." so it is not high priority for me.

[mitchell4you]

Hmm.. the ''Ugoos UT3'' perhaps.. it has a dualboot ubuntu android firmware
Just a thought

[ChrisG8]

That doesn't matter too much. I think it can be used in a browser, can't it.

But even if not, I can do without Amazon Prime, as I said: "If at all ..." so it is not high priority for me.

Browser was a no go as well although it may be possible to spoof Amazon, make Amazon think it is something else although I suspect if that works it won't work consistently or for long.

[Barley]

Thanks for your help. Again, though:

But even if not, I can do without Amazon Prime, as I said: "If at all ..." so it is not high priority for me.

[Barley]

Re: PC replacement - which one to choose?

Hmm.. the ''Ugoos UT3'' perhaps.. it has a dualboot ubuntu android firmware
Just a thought

Thanks. I will look at it. Do you know any price search engine that works for mini pcs?

[RISCy Dude]

I see you are from Mars...

...do you know a guy by the name of Sqwidgbly Elkarizzio?
Just kidding, if you were in the US, I'd suggest looking at Droidfusion for your UT3/UM3 needs. They have inventory in the US, local returns too.

http://www.freaktab.com/showthread.php?21964-Ugoos-Ugoos-USA-and-Droidfusion-My-experience

[Barley]

Do you know Don Cartigo? 😊

I will be in Northern Europe for a while this spring.

US is not currently a destination for me.

[Barley]

I am thinking of these units:

RKM MK80 PLUS OCTA-CORE

ZERO Devices Z8C Alice - AllWinner A80 octa-core SATA USB3.0 4K UHD An [ AP-ZERO-Devices-Z8C-Alice ] - AsiaPads.com

Tronsmart Orion R28 Meta RK3288 Quad Core TV BOX

ZERO Devices Z8C Alice - AllWinner A80 octa-core SATA USB3.0 4K UHD An [ AP-ZERO-Devices-Z8C-Alice ] - AsiaPads.com

with one of these mice:

iPazzPort KP-810-30 Mini Wireless Keyboard Somatic Air Mouse Fly Mouse + Learning Infrared IR Remote - Free Shipping - DealExtreme

German Backlit IR iPazzPort KP-810-16 R.F 2.4G Wireless 91-Key English & German Keyboard Air Mouse w/ IR Remote - Free Shipping - DealExtreme

What do you guys think?

[RISCy Dude]

As I understand it, the A80 devices run SATA thru USB 2.0, something you can do on most boxes with a USB-to-SATA adapter.
The Tronsmart R28 is thought to have slow eMMC.
It seems when chosing an ATV box, compromise is essential to the purchase.

[prahjister]

Logitech k400 for the keyboard. Ipazzport is terrible. My on off switch broke very easily. Solders wire to keep on all the time. It turns off on its own. Its too wide and I don't have small hands

[nick789uk]

Hi I have the Onda v102w with the magnetic keyboard, it is a 10.1 inch tablet with 2GB ram and 32 GB hard drive which can be expanded and will take a 128 GB SD card. I can do everything on the tab that I can on the laptop, have connected a Bluetooth mouse, external disk drive and external hard drive using a powered multi USB hub. It runs windows 8.1 and I have had no problems with it and it worked straight from the box, hope this helps.