- Running Android 4.0.4 ICS OS (4.1.1 Jelly Bean upgradable)
- Rockchip RK3066 Dual Core Cortex A9 Processor
- Quad Core Mali 400 (Open GL ES2.0/1.1, Open VG1.1, Flash 11.1)
- 8GB NAND Flash ROM, 1GB DDR3 RAM
- 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, USB 3G Dongle support (not included)
Most people buy the Minix Neo G4 as a way to turn their TV sets into "smart TVs" or in other words to make their TV Internet capable. What tends to get overlooked is that this little device is actually a fully functional computer, capable of doing most, if not all, of what many of us ask of our home computers.
When I received my Neo G4 I found that all the parts that I had saved from my broken computer worked fine with the new little device. My monitor had an HDMI plug, which the Minix requires. It also had an earphone jack, into which I could plug external computer speakers in order to hear the sound. (the Minix itself has no audio out jack, so it is important that your monitor has either speakers or a headphone/audio out plug). My keyboard, mouse etc. all had USB plugs. The Minix has only one USB port, but that is no problem as I had a powered USB hub. Belkin 7 Port Desktop High Speed USB 2.0 Hub with Power Supply I just plugged all the USB devices into the hub and plugged the hub into the Minix device.
The Minix uses the Android operating system. Folks who have Android phones will be right at home navigating around and using apps, etc. This is a full version of Android, with the Play Store. Apps that you already have on your playstore account can be installed on your Minix, along with the thousands of apps in the store.
I installed the Chrome browser, Netlix streaming movies and most of the apps that I already had on my phone. Now I can do just about everything with the Minix that I was doing before on the old computer. All for less than $100!
You may have read in the news recently that sales of PCs are down. Folks are balking at paying $500 or more for full size computers when they can do pretty much everything that they need to on a much less expensive tablet. Well, I have a tablet, and while it is fine for a lot of things, there are still quite a few chores (such as writing this review) that I much prefer to do on a full size keyboard and with a full size monitor. This is where, in my opinion, the Minix Neo G4 shines. It costs just a fraction compared to a full sized computer, it draws much, much less power. It uses an operating system that I am already comfortable with and lets me use my existing smartphone apps, and yet has the advantage of a full size screen and keyboard. This certainly works for me. It just might for you, too.Wi-fi is the big thing with these devices! ... most every other device has antenna/soldering issues ... even then, with the wi-fi chipset they use, they're 65mbps, max!
This is one of the very few that use a different wi-fi chipset to afford up to 150mbps ... I have two routers ... one for DSL ... one for streaming recorded TV ... the latter is about 1/3 the distance, and probly better quality, as well ... at times, I've seen it dip down to 75mbps ... but usually it's pegged at 150mbps!
I'm now streaming recorded .wtv from WMC to Skifta/MXPlayer ... probly a dropped frame here 'n there ... but audio is in-sync ... and video's much higher resolution than Netflix (on my AppleTV, Roku, or Sony BD)! Speaking of which, I installed the free Netflix app, and that works every bit as well as all them other devices!
I've got three of these, now! ... on every one, first-use, I think it auto-updates "Play Store", and sometime shortly thereafter, "Play Store" locks up ... simply reboot ... no more issues!
Before this, I had an MK808 ... flashed ROM's ... tried my hand at soldering ... what a nightmare!
Oh ya ... plan to get a wireless keyboard ... I'm using the Logitech K400, with no issues! The (included) remote is basically a throw-away! ... don't know of any other such device that even includes such a thing?!
Supposedly, the new 4.1.1. firmware update affords XBox and PS3 controllers ... I don't have one ... and after the MK808 nightmare, I'm feeling somewhat less brave!
ETA: ordered the Logitech m325 Thursday... with 2-day free shipping... it came !... works perfectly!... I'm about 10ft away... it's like it's wired!... I checked out the range (but I have no mouse pad, so with a better surface, ya might get better results... at 10ft, I use the armrest of my leather chair)...I'd say it's still very good, to 20ft... past that, it starts to get jerky... it's responsive at 30ft, but probly not a lotta fun, at that range!... no conflicts using the k400 (on a different device, in the same room, at the same time)
With the k400, I was using the trackpad about 99.9% of the time!...bear in mind, this is just like any Android tablet/phone... when ya click on a text field, the on-screen keyboard will automatically pop-up... at which, ya can use that, with a mouse, to enter what ya need!... if you're gonna be writing dozens of love letters every day, on your TV, I'd go with a keyboard... at that, something quite a bit nicer than the k400!... it's fine for $30... but it's smaller, and a few keys ain't precisely where they should be!
For signing onto your Wi-Fi, one time, and your gmail, one time, and searches in the play store, or even navigating the interlinks, and moreso, for navigating Netflix, playing angry birds, or just general navigation/use of Android, itself... with this G4, I'd strongly recommend a wireless mouse (not Bluetooth, though... that don't work)... but, the Logitech m325 works perfectly!
A trackball might also be a real good way to go!... I saw a nice one for around $30... I might give that a try, at some point!
No comments:
Post a Comment