Android Mini PC Buying Guide

What is an Android Mini PC?The Android Mini PC is a new category of tiny or small PC devices that run on the popular Android OS and has become a highly sought after device. The Android Mini PC or sometimes known as the PC on a stick or android TV stick makes a unique and ideal gift for someone who is interested in computers in general. Some versions of these small form Android PCs are also able to run on Linux OS so the Android Mini PC will also interest those who are into Linux as well as Android.

All Android TV stick devices come with an HDMI connector that allows it to connect to a TV or HDMI capable display. Hence, the Android Mini PC is sometimes referred to as an Android TV dongle or HDMI dongle as well.

The very first Android Mini PCs only started appearing around the middle of 2012 but within a very short period, there are more than a dozen different versions currently available on the market today. Some models are just purely repackaged or OEM versions that are identical except for the packaging and markings on the device while others are based on the same hardware but have extra hardware features and/or customized software.

If you are planning to get one, this buying guide will come in handy. This guide lists all the major versions of the Android Mini PC plus identifies the important features that you should consider when buying one.

An updated buying guide for quad core Android Mini PCs covering over a dozen Rockchip RK3188 and Allwinner A31 devices can be found at my blog, Androydz.

Follow me on Twitter

I update my articles on a frequent basis with new information.

However, this is only the tip of the iceberg as with a little tinkering, the Android Mini PC can do much more. Here are some of the uses for the Android Mini PC that have been thought up by actual users:

Use Skype on the TV

Add a USB webcam to the Android Mini PC and you can use your TV for Skype and you can do so from the comfort of your couch. Imagine having your entire family in the living room and exchanging Christmas greetings with your friends and relatives over Skype. cheap nhl jerseys

How to Use Skype on TV

Do you want to use Skype from the comfort of your living room with your TV? Here are three easy ways to get Skype running on your non Smart TV. The lowest cost method is only under $100.

Extra computer for the kitchen or bedroom

Do you have an old LCD monitor lying around that you no longer have use for? Why not turn that into an extra computer for the kitchen so that you can access your recipes or watch YouTube recipes conveniently. I actually wrote a couple of my Squidoo articles using such a setup. The only thing I have to get use to is that right clicking my mouse in Android actually sends me back to the launcher. I need to long press the left mouse button instead.

Home theater PC or video streaming device

The Android Mini PC can play most video and audio formats flawlessly including 1080p files. But that is already old school. In the age of the cloud everything is stored online, right?With the Android mini computer, you can stream video from Netflix, Hulu Plus, Sopcast or any of the online video streaming services as long as an app for it is available. You can use the web browser and Flash for sites that do not have an app but the quality varies depending on the source. As for streaming music, you can stream from Pandora, Spotify or any of the thousands of online radio stations.

Need an extra Linux PC? cheap nhl jerseys china

For the versions of the Android Mini PC that support it, booting into Linux couldn't be easier as all you need is to copy the Linux image into a micro SD file and the Android mini computer will boot from it turning it into a quick and dirty Linux computer. wholesale nhl jerseys

Turn it into the ultimate classic gaming machine

There are many Android console emulator apps that are able to emulate all the classic gaming consoles from the Gameboy to the NES to the Genesis to the N64 to the PS One. There is even a version of MAME that emulates all the classic arcade machines. Check out this article for a more complete list of ideas for the Android Mini PC.

Best Android Mini PC deals on Amazon

Androset MK808 Dual Core Android TV BOX Rockchip RK3066 Cortex A9 Mini PC Smart TV Stick Buy Now

What you shouldn't buy the Android Mini PC forWhile the Android Mini PC is a very versatile device with many uses, it does have its limitations. Here are some of the things to look out for and to manage your expectations.

Replace your HTPC or your dedicated media box

With the correct player, the Android Mini PC is able to play most if not all media formats. However, audio sync may be an issue if you are a stickler for such issues. Currently all audio is downsampled to stereo and there doesn't seem to be any method to pass through anything other than stereo via the HDMI output. If you do not want to waste your state of the art 7.1 surround sound setup, you need to look somewhere else. nhl jerseys china

Expect all your existing USB peripherals to work with it

While the Android OS has built in drivers to support a wide range of USB devices, it is still very much trial and error process. Most (but not all) USB keyboard and mouse including the RF wireless ones work. For example, it may work with the camera app but not with Skype. Regardless of the camera's resolution, it seems that Android only supports 640x480 for all webcams. The mic on the camera may not be supported even if the camera itself is.

Posted by: liueong at 01:21 AM | Comments (20) | Add Comment
Post contains 1029 words, total size 6 kb.