GOLE1 was product launched last year than combined a tablet and mini PCs functionalities into one product with a 5″ touchscreen, a battery, and all the ports you’d expect from a mini PC with USB, HDMI, etc… I reviewed an early GOLE1 sample running both Windows 10 and Android 5.1, and beside a battery charging problem due to its being one of the first sample, I found it was a product fun to play with, however, I could not really find a practical use case for it. The 5″ display is just to small to run Windows 10 comfortably, and it’s a bit heavy to use like a normal tablet. Maybe if you have an application that require a small display panel to control a large screen connected via HDMI, it’s different. I’ve been informed the company is about to launch a new version, called GOLE1 Plus, with a new revision of the Cherry Trail x5 processor, a bigger battery, and a large 8″ touchscreen display.
GOLE1 vs GOLE1 Plus vs GOLE1 specifications:
| Gole1 | Gole1 Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| SoC | Intel Atom x5-Z8300 quad core processor @ 1.44 / 1.84GHz + Intel HD Graphics Gen8 |
Intel Atom x5-Z8350 quad core processor @ 1.44 / 1.92 GHz + Intel HD Graphics Gen8 |
| System Memory | 4GB DDR3 | 4GB DDR3 |
| Storage | 32 or 64GB eMMC flash + micro SD slot | 64 or 128 GB eMMC flash + micro SD slot |
| Display | 5″ touchscreen display 1280×720 resolution | 8″ touchscreen IPS display; 1280×800 resolution |
| Video Output | 1x HDMI 1.4 port | 1x HDMI 1.4 port |
| Audio I/F | HDMI output, 3.5mm audio jack, speaker | HDMI output, 3.5mm audio jack, speaker |
| Connectivity | 10/100M Ethernet, dual band WiFi 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0 with external antenna | 10/100M Ethernet, dual band WiFi 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0 with internal antenna |
| USB | 3x USB 2.0 ports, 1x USB 3.0 port, 1x micro USB port | 2x USB 2.0 ports, 1x USB 3.0 port |
| Misc | Power , volume and back buttons (plastic) placed on top | Power, and volume buttons (metal) placed on one side |
| Battery | 2,600 mAh | 6,000 mAh |
| Size (cm) | 13.50 x 9.0 x 2.0 cm | 19.86 x 13.6 x 2.7 cm |
GOLE1 came with a dual boot firmware with Windows 10 Home 32-bit and Android 5.1, but the new GOLE1 Plus will only come with Windows 10 Home 64-bit. If you don’t like this OS, it should be possible to install Linux operating systems with some efforts due to audio and Wifi issues with Cherry Trail processors. The larger display will certainly make it more suitable for Windows 10, and the extra battery capacity will extend the battery life. However, don’t except to see any differences between Intel Atom x5-Z8300 and x5-Z8350 processors as only the burst frequency has been increased a little (1.84 vs 1.92 GHz).
GOLE1 with 4GB RAM / 64GB storage was just under $150 shipped at the time of review last year, but the price seems to have increased since this it’s now around $190 including shipping on eBay and other websites. Considering the updated price for GOLE1, GOLE1 Plus should be better value once it is released as it is expected for sell for around $200.
Via miniPCDB
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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Interesting, thanks 🙂
Looks like the built-in battery will have 6000 mAh after all 🙂
Pre-sale on GearBest with the name “HIGOLE GOLE1 Plus Mini PC” for $229 -> http://www.gearbest.com/tv-box-mini-pc/pp_608686.html?wid=21
Ships after Mar 01