Pipo X7 Bay Trail-T mini PC was very popular at the beginning at it sold with an apparently valid Windows 8.1 license for $90, even including one-year subscription for Office 365, which normally sells for $99. Unfortunately, it turned out the Windows license was not so valid, as Pipo used the free Windows 8.1 with Bing for tablets, something that Microsoft did not allow, and mini PCs instead need to use another $25 to $30 license (Windows 8.1 with Bing NTE), which brought Pipo X7 price to around $120, closer to its main competitors. There’s now Pipo X7s, another version based on the same hardware, that can boot both Windows 8.1 (with proper license) and Android 4.4, and can be pre-ordered on GeekBuying for $129.99.
The hardware specifications appear to be identical to the Windows only version:
- SoC – Intel Atom Bay Trail Z3736F @ 1.33 GHz (Burst Freq: 2.16 GHz) with Intel HD graphics.
- System Memory – 2GB DDR3L
- Storage – 32GB eMMC + micro SD slot (up to 64GB)
- Video & Audio Output – HDMI up to 1080p
- Audio I/O – HDMI, earphone jack, built-in stereo speakers and microphone
- Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi with external antenna, and Bluetooth 4.0
- USB – 4x USB 2.0 host ports
- Misc – Power button
- Power Supply – 12V/2A
- Dimensions – 188 x 150 x 24 mm (Aluminum enclosure)
- Weight – 390 grams
The PC only comes with an AC power adapter, and the only hardware different appears to be the Golden enclosure instead of the white or black case for the original Pipo X7. GeekBuying also claims one-year subscription to Office 365 is included, but I’m not so confident it should be part of the deal… I’ve found out with MeLE PCG03, another Intel mini PC running Windows 8.1, that the 32GB can get filled pretty quickly, even with Windows alone, so depending on your usage, you might end deleting files or uninstalling programs for extra space fairly often with a dual boot system.
Via Home Theater Life on Google+ mini PCs community.
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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An Atom Z3736F … that’s a tablet CPU. I really wonder how that feels on a Windows desktop where you run Office and Chrome …
The Pipo x7 is a great little fast Windows device. Great for Kodi and light desktop work.
I want a version of this without a windows license so I can run about twenty light use Debian Gnu/Linux desktops. Any hints on suitable set top boxes/sff el cheapo boards that would do that well? With el cheapo, I mean under 100€ a piece including import VAT and taxes. Any suggestions?
Seems like atom is still the most realistic the coming months, though that might change with radxa rock 2 (rk3288) and maybe later orange pi plus (allwinner h3).
@Mark
You’ve got a few options for just 100 Euros on Aliexpress including shipping.
http://www.aliexpress.com/premium/z3736f.html?ltype=wholesale&exception=&maxPrice=110&isFreeShip=y&SearchText=z3736f&shipFromCountry=&isUnitPrice=&isPremium=y&needQuery=n&shipCompanies=&g=y&d=y&origin=y&shipCountry=th&CatId=0&initiative_id=SB_20150327191612&isViewCP=y
Normally Aliexpress will declare a lower value for your parcel, and you may or may not have to pay for VAT and duty.
Otherwise, your other option would be to buy a Windows tablet with HDMI output which should be much cheaper.
Update: I forgot to mention you won’t get Bluetooth or HDMI audio with Linux, at least for now.
Can somebody who owns it look if it has a 64bit UEFI?
There are several linuxes that don’t work with the 32bit bootfile Hack, especially server/nas centric OS. Also with the 32/64 Hack in place, you cannot update the kernel, grub or use a generic image without this hack.
This box would be very interesting if it had 64bit UEFI that can boot any linux stick out of the box.