Android mini pc

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Martian

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Hey all.

I'm looking to get an android mini pc and this looks pretty good:
http://www.geekbuying.com/item/MK808B-Dual-Core-Android-4-1-Jelly-Bean-TV-BOX-RK3066-Cortex-A9-1GB-RAM-8GB-ROM-Mini-PC-TV-Box---Black-313213.html

Has anybody ever bought from geekbuying? How reliable are they? Furthermore what kind of import duties and taxes can I expect to pay? From other discussions it seems that I should look at about 14% on 110% of the value and some kind of inspection fee.

If anybody knows of a better deal than this or have any other recommendations that would be appreciated as well.

Thanks in advance.
 
Have you looked at the Amlogic AML8726 based devices (Pivos XIOS, G-Box Midnight etc.)? These are the only devices that support graphics hardware acceleration of XBMC. Most of these cheap Chinese boxes have problems with WiFi, streaming, 1080p, overheating, stability, voice/picture synchronisation etc. You can buy that Futeko Amlogic based stick locally for around R1000.

Some other ideas ...
http://liliputing.com/2013/05/g-box-midnight-mx2-tv-dual-core-tv-box-is-made-for-android-xbmc.html
http://www.thelittleblackbox.nl/en/
http://www.j1nx.nl/thelittleblackbox-xbmc-for-the-masses/
http://www.futeko.com/browse.php?cat=featured
http://www.pivosforums.com/viewforum.php?f=11&sid=4037a6d3b1372ebe4b44abd06866415a
 
Martian said:
Hey all.

I'm looking to get an android mini pc and this looks pretty good:
http://www.geekbuying.com/item/MK808B-Dual-Core-Android-4-1-Jelly-Bean-TV-BOX-RK3066-Cortex-A9-1GB-RAM-8GB-ROM-Mini-PC-TV-Box---Black-313213.html

Has anybody ever bought from geekbuying? How reliable are they? Furthermore what kind of import duties and taxes can I expect to pay? From other discussions it seems that I should look at about 14% on 110% of the value and some kind of inspection fee.

If anybody knows of a better deal than this or have any other recommendations that would be appreciated as well.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Got my MK808B last week from Geekbuying
Three of us clubbed together - shipping was 10 days and eventually worked out to R475 each

I love gadgets and IT and this little wonder is the most awesomest gadget I ever bought for it's price

Plugged into HDMI port on my Samsung TV and power it from an adjacent USB port - so when you shut down TV, the MK808B also shuts down

It comes already rooted and the speed performance is just amazing - some people report low wifi problems, but I get 4 out of 5 bars from my router in a different room about 12 m away

XBMC works like a dream on this - with video addons available, you can easily get live streaming of Sport and News channel - most of the popular DSTV channels are catered for with addons eg. Nat Geo, History, Discovery, Cartoon Network and more

The 1080 display is very crisp - Gmail and web surfing is a pleasure

I control this via wireless mouse with popup keyboard on the screen - like using touch on a tablet - works great for me

Also have 32gig micro sd card with movies and music installed - I take it with when visiting friends and just plug it into their TV and have the kids entertained

All this from an USB size computer
 
whoo_kid said:
Will this pick up a powered 3TB ntfs drive?
Click to expand...

Yes - I also have a Samsung 2T hard drive connected and it shows up in ES File Manager and also play media in XBMC

Just to clarify - my wireless mouse receiving dongle goes in the normal size usb on the MK808B, 32 gig micro in sd slot and hard drive via the usb OTG adapter cable (included in the box)
 
Dion Disco said:
Yes - I also have a Samsung 2T hard drive connected and it shows up in ES File Manager and also play media in XBMC

Just to clarify - my wireless mouse receiving dongle goes in the normal size usb on the MK808B, 32 gig micro in sd slot and hard drive via the usb OTG adapter cable (included in the box)
Click to expand...

Sounds amazing. Have you tried running Netflix or Hulu through it?
 
I haven't tried Netflix or Hulu - not sure if there is Android version of Unotelly or streaming from a pc to MK808 to get those overseas services

But to be honest, I wonder if that is needed
If you install video addons like 1channel, Mash Up, Sports Devil, Icefilms and official stuff from XBMC repositories you are pretty much covered
I saw Game Of Thrones S3-E7 listed in three separate addons this morning - was broadcast last night in US
 
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@Martian: Have you considered a Roku for Netflix, Hulu etc.? I decided to buy one of those instead of a Chinese mini PC. The feedback for those devices seems to be very positive. The purple LT version sells for $50 on Amazon.com but you might be able to get it cheaper on a special. There are some very good offers which include 6 month subscriptions to Hulu + etc. if you can organise to get it here cheaply. The PQ of the commercial services like Hulu seems to be much better than any of the free streaming services that I've tested.

http://www.roku.com/huludeal
Take a look at the Best Roku Deals etc.
http://catastrophegirlsrokuchanneldata.blogspot.com/2012/06/best-roku-deals.html
Refurbished models
http://www.roku.com/accessories
There is also a free month of Netflix and two weeks of Hulu + for new signups.
 
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@ Dion - How is the picture quality of those channels on xbmc? Used the supersport addon on my pc and it wasn't very good.

@ Yotch - Yeah I had a look at the Roku as well but wasn't sure if it added all the functionality that a mini pc would add. I'll take a look again.
 
Martian said:
@ Dion - How is the picture quality of those channels on xbmc? Used the supersport addon on my pc and it wasn't very good.

@ Yotch - Yeah I had a look at the Roku as well but wasn't sure if it added all the functionality that a mini pc would add. I'll take a look again.
Click to expand...

The picture quality of the Supersport is very good - other channels could be a hit or miss
Most of the channels are duplicated across many addons, so just keep switching till you get better quality. I have a 2mb line, so I don't expect HD quality

The Roku suggestion is good for Netflix and Hulu use, not much else, where the mini pc have Google Play store available for just about any application you can think of

Using this device for the past 2 weeks showed me many possibilities - like the cost to fit a classroom with 30 monitors, mini pc, usb keyboard and mouse
The App store is full of educational software - you can basically replicate a fully functional net connected pc for under R2,000

EDIT: Android Mini Pc's compared
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xGJEhIptuM
 
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Hi guys. I'm considering getting an Android Mini PC. I found this one ...

http://dx.com/p/ug802-android-4-0-c...ual-core-1gb-rom-4gb-ram-black-eu-plug-154597

YouTube'd a review and it looks pretty cool.

Deciding to get the Air Mouse as well

http://dx.com/p/mele-f10-fly-mouse-...ir-mouse-keyboard-remote-control-black-128312

Is this cool to use as a media player, and also for YouTube and some other streaming services ?
I've heard on the reviews that it gets quite hot, and that strapping a heat sink to it will curb that issue.

Oh yeah, most importantly, can I play Angry Birds on it ? :D
 
Have you looked at the latest MK819, UG008B etc. These models seem to be a lot better than the USB stick variety - ethernet, composite video, external WiFi antenna, better cooling etc. at roughly the same price. You can get a $4 discount via e-mail from Aliexpress if you sign up. Just do a search for MK819 or UG008B to find the unit with the best set of accessories - some include mini USB adapter etc.
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-...t-tv-box-with-remote-bluetooth/888775515.html
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2013...et-tv-box-MK819-with-ir-remote/840942407.html
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free...tex-9-mini-pc-android-Smart-tv/991355563.html
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/UG00...-Core-Mini-PC-1GB-8GB-Built-in/997470592.html
Not sure if this one includes remote - e-mail the supplier to check
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/UG00...-Core-Mini-PC-1GB-8GB-Built-in/963663769.html
 
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Looks a lot like the Roku :)
Thanks, I'll check it out.
 
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Whats the deal with Aliexpress and DealExtreme - are they reliable - the price you see is the price you paid? What about import duties?
 
Ecco said:
Whats the deal with Aliexpress and DealExtreme - are they reliable - the price you see is the price you paid? What about import duties?
Click to expand...

DX I have used a lot. Free shipping, but often you will have to pay customs (Electronics are generally 14% VAT on 110% of the value). It can take anything from 4-8 weeks for packages to arrive (slow boat from China).
 
morkhans said:
DX I have used a lot. Free shipping, but often you will have to pay customs (Electronics are generally 14% VAT on 110% of the value). It can take anything from 4-8 weeks for packages to arrive (slow boat from China).
Click to expand...

Thanks. (Apologies for the slight derail)
 
morkhans said:
DX I have used a lot. Free shipping, but often you will have to pay customs (Electronics are generally 14% VAT on 110% of the value). It can take anything from 4-8 weeks for packages to arrive (slow boat from China).
Click to expand...

The way to avoid customs, is to mark the item as "Gift" when you checkout. I did that on my order that arrived today. Didn't have to pay anything.

DX is great. Not sure about Aliexpress. Hopefully someone on here has used them and can comment ?

**Edit** My order from DX arrived in about 2.5 weeks.
 
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