A cheap white brand Android 4.0 USB/HDMI Stick based on AllWinner A10 has started to show up in Chinese websites. Initially, I thought it was like a low cost version of FXI Tech Cotton Candy (which will start shipping this month), but as you can see in the image below, the HDMI port is female so you’d still need a HDMI cable. The hole next to the USB port should be for the power supply, so this device is apparently not powered via USB (TBC).
Connect a wireless mouse and keyboard to the device, the power supply, and an HDMI cable to your TV, and you’ve got yourself a cheap PC running Android 4.0. Since this is based on AllWinner A10, you could also insert a microSD card with Ubuntu, Debian or your other favorite Linux distribution and have yourself a Linux PC.
Here are the specifications of the device (gathered on the internet so it’s not error prone).
| CPU | AllWinner A10 @ 1.5GHz + Mali 400 GPU |
| Memory | 512MB RAM |
| Storage | 4GB Flash microSD slot (Up to 32GB) |
| Connectivity | WiFi 802.11b/g |
| USB | micro USB 2.0/OTG port USB 2.0 Host port |
| Keyboard | Android virtual keyboard or 2.4G wireless keyboard + fly mouse |
| Video output | HDMI (1080p) |
| Video Codecs | WMV/ASF/MP4/3GP/3G2M4V/AVI/MJPEG/RV10/DivX/VC-1/MPEG-2/ MPEG-4/H.263/H.264/1280*720P HD 30 fps, 1080P/720*480 D1 30fps |
| Audio Codecs | AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, QCP, MP3, WMA, WAV, MIDI, M4A |
| Operating System | Android 4.0 (ICS) |
| Power Input | 5V/2A |
| Size | 8.8*3.5*1.2cm |
| Weight | 200g |
The system (CPU/RAM/Flash) is similar to Mele A1000, except that the AllWinner A10 is clocked at 1.5GHz (In theory, you can overclock Mele A1000 to 1.5ghz by changing evb.bin, but tests have not been successful so far). There are no VGA nor composite outputs, no SATA, only 2 USB ports and a microSD slot instead of a an SD card slot. There is no remote, so if you intend to use it as a media player it could be inconvenient unless you use a wireless mouse and keyboard.
The device can be purchased on Aliexpress for 74 USD
(including shipping) where they say it’s model MK802 or on Alibaba for 368 RMB (~58 USD). Considering the Mele A1000 price is now around 90 USD (inc. shipping), I don’t really find this device that attractive, especially since you don’t get the convenience of plugging (and powering) it directly in the TV. Once it is available, Valueplus Tizzbird N1 might be a better option.
[Update: The Aliexpress link above is sold out, but you can try alternative sellers on Aliexpress and it has become available on Dealextreme (78 USD)]
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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