The first HDMI TV stick based on Rockchip RK3188 that I noticed was CloudnetGo CR9, and since then many more similar products have hit the market. I did not write about most of them as “it’s just more of the same” most of the time, but listed some in CloudnetGo CR9 post’s comment section. Today, I’ll provide a (non-exhaustive) list of devices, in no particular order, with a summary of the hardware specifications. I won’t mention Android versions since all of them already run Jelly Bean (Android 4.1 or 4.2). Retail price information, which I got from Aliexpress, Geekbuying, W2COMP, and some other sites, is provided for reference, and includes shipping unless otherwise stated.
- CloudnetGo CR9 – 2GB RAM, 8/16 GB Flash, HDMI male, 1x USB, 1x microUSB – Price Unknown – See review
- Tronsmart T428 – 2GB RAM, 8GB Flash, HDMI male, 1x USB, 1x microUSB – $99
- Rikomagic MK802 IV – 2GB RAM, 8GB Flash, HDMI male, 1x USB, 2x microUSB – $100
- Ugoos UG802B – 2GB RAM, 8/16 GB Flash, HDMI male, 1x USB, 2x microUSB – $98
- Ugoos UG007B – 2GB RAM, 8 GB Flash, HDMI male, 1x USB, 2x microUSB – $77 to $85
- Ugoos MK809 III – 2GB RAM, 8 GB Flash, HDMI male, 1x USB, 2x microUSB – $81 and up
- Measy U4B – 2GB RAM, 8 GB Flash, HDMI male, 1x USB, 2x microUSB – $100
- CX-919 – 2GB RAM, 8 GB Flash, HDMI male, 1x USB, 2x microUSB, small external Wi-Fi antenna – $90
- QC802 – 2GB RAM, 8 GB Flash, HDMI male, 1x USB, 2x microUSB – $76
- iMito QX1 – 2GB RAM, 8 GB Flash, HDMI male, 1x USB, 1x microUSB, external high gain Wi-Fi antenna – $90
- MK908 – 2GB RAM, 8 GB Flash, HDMI female, 1x USB, 2x miniUSB – $90 – See unboxing pictures and review.
- MK919 – 2GB RAM, 8 GB Flash, HDMI female, 1x USB, 2x microUSB – $77
- MK919A – 2GB RAM, 8 GB Flash, HDMI male, 1x USB, 2x microUSB – $77
- Cozyswan S400 – 2GB RAM, 8 GB Flash, HDMI male, 1x USB, 1x microUSB, detachable external antenna – $61 to $70 (Factory price).
- Jesurun NX003II – 2GB RAM, 8 GB Flash, HDMI male, 1x USB, 1x micro USB, detachable external antenna, and webcam – $88.50 (Added on 23/05/2013)
All devices mentioned above also comes with built-in Bluetooth, and a micro SD card. After completing this list, I feel quite disappointed by the lack of options. All devices comes with 2GB RAM and 8GB Flash, and the only variations are with the HDMI port (female/male). the number of USB ports (2 or 3), and some mini PCs features of external antenna (iMito QX1 / CX-919 / Cozyswan S400). Difference in price is sometimes due to the Wi-Fi/Bt module used, as you’ll have to pay about a $10 premium to use a Wi-Fi module supporting 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz as in T428.
The cheapest devices are QC802, MK919(A), and UG007B which you can get below $80.
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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I’m still waiting for a device with an AV-Output port and a built-in camera, just like the Measy U2C 😀
GNU/Linux on this, that is what I am waiting for, I hope it is similar enough to the RK3066, that rockchip becoe a bit more developer friendly and that the picuntu guys get on this.
@eebrah I found a new kernel source from RK that also supports an “RK31board”, I’ve just yesterday got it running with Picuntu on the Measy U2C (RK3066), another dev is working on it too and may be able to try it on a RK3188, I just don’t have an RK3188 stick to do it myself. But let’s hope it’s the right kernel :S
ZERO Devices Z4C coming too…
Maybe we can do it together, I’ve MK810 and UG007B (monday) and the new ZERO Devices Z4C (also next week)
What amazes me, is that the current crop of 4-core sticks is currently being sold for a premium of averaging some $45 compared to the previous 2-core generation, when according to those new SoCs only cost some $4 or $5 more. And I find it quite frustrating that apparently none of those sticks so far implements at least dual-link MIMO for 802.11n for decent 2.4GHz throughput. For some yet to be determined mysterious reason, it seems to be impossible to have BT4.0, dual-band .11n (with MIMO) AND a second µUSB 2.0 port with OtG. Somehow these things at the moment… Read more »
Well, there originally was a link included after “generation, when according to ” leading to an article at techeye . net, titled “Chinese chip maker sold more than Intel and Qualcomm”.
@LinuxMint
The quad core may be $5 more than dual core, but this is the chip cost, so multiply this by 2 at least. This adds $10. Those sticks also come with 2GB RAM, so if I use this table http://www.cnx-software.com/2013/03/18/89-compulab-cm-igt-coms-feature-amd-g-series-apus/, adding 1GB RAM adds $12 to the final product, so we are at $22.
New products usually sell for a premium, but if the calculation above is about right, RK3188 mini PC should be available for about $60 – $65 in a few months. In china, I’ve seen they can buy one for 380 RMB (~$62).
Please, don’t think it’s so easy, actual prices are:
– AllWinner A20 -> Around 55RMB
– AllWinner A31 -> Around 150RMB
Well, this “actual” was 2 weeks ago. Prices buying to AllWinner in ShenZhen directly.
I don’t know the RockChip prices…
Regards
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) Well, on ebay you can get, among others, f.e. one “Micron 1GB DDR3 pc3-8500 1066mhz 1Rx8 SODIMM” for under $5, a pair (total of 2GB) for under $10. So the premium for doubling the chip-only based on-PCB capacity should be clearly below that. The additional $12 in your link smell a lot like the common practice of the likes of Apple, HP, Asus et al, to add up to some $100 each time they increase the on-board Flash storage from, 8 -> 16 -> 32GB, even though based on SDD prices, a fair surcharge should be clearly… Read more »
Why would you want 2 OTG ports? Also, why would you not?
Do you know if any of these sticks could be powered by just a Motorola lapdock usb connection. I’m currently using an MK802 + PengPod image with mine and would like to upgrade to something a bit faster.
Thanks,
CK
@CodeKipper
What’s the amperage of a Motorola lapdock? I think anything at 1A or above should be OK with all the sticks above.
FYI. I’m testing T428 right now, and I can power it just with my netbook USB port. I can’t recommend that model though.
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
What model would you recommend?
I’ve been trying to decide for one and I was going to order the Mk908…but after all the different opinions/ problems that I’ve been reading about on line… I don’t know…
@den
I’ve only tested 2: T428 and MK908. I’d say stay away from T428, but MK908 is working well for me.
Some people report that iMito QX1 has good Wi-Fi.
I’d also consider some of the cheapest ones, because in all honesty I don’t see much difference apart from the casing between all those models.
RK3188 HDMI TV dongles start to show up on DealExtreme with some different model names:
VS21 ($82.70): http://dx.com/p/vs21-quad-core-android-4-2-2-mini-pc-google-tv-player-w-antenna-1gb-ram-8gb-rom-bluetooth-213991 . Looks like CX-919, aka “LrG” on DX.com
RK31T + RF remote ($123): http://dx.com/p/rk31t-android-4-2-2-quad-core-bluetooth-tv-box-mini-pc-w-hdmi-4-x-hub-tf-32g-black-213840 – This one looks the same as T428.
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
I decided to cancel my order on the MK908. I’m thinking on buying the Rikomagic MK802IV because I prefer the microUsb instead of the miniUsb of the MK908. But the MK802IV has that problem of the awkward fit of the usb adaptors…
Think I’m going to wait a couple of weeks before ordering but I don’t know If I’ll resist…lets just hope so 😉
@den
OK, finally I resolved my key issue with T428 which was Wi-Fi dropping often by upgrading my router firmware, so now I think the device is OK. That’s actually the device I use now, mainly as a game console, playing games with a PS3 controller.
MK802IV $100 on May 11th, and now it’s $89(http://www.sainsonic.com/rikomagic-mk802iv-mini-pc-tv-box-quad-core-1-8ghz-2g-8g-bt.html), the price drops so fast. The mini PCs upgrade so fast, and you don’t know if it’s worth to get it, as if I got the current version, after a while, it has the newer version.
no infos on the MINIX NEO X7 (and its new design, announced on MINIX official FB page ?)
Thanks
@primaking
That’s what they said in their Facebook at the end of last month (April):
“Regarding the so many enquiries about launch schedule of NEO X7: we are going to launch it on Q3 2013.”
DM918 ($72) with 2 Wi-Fi antennas – http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Hot-ForDM918-with-Bluetooth-Mini-PC-Android-TV-box-4-1-Dual-Core-1-6-GHz/944984815.html)
FX6 Quad Core Mini PC:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Quad-Core-Mini-PC-TV-BOX-stick-MK802-IV-Rikomagic-MK802IV-Android-4-2-RK3188-1/937112297.html
momi m1 aka cozyswan s400:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-shipping-oem-momi-m1-mini-pc-Quad-Core-Android-4-2-Jelly-Bean-With-BT/990570250.html
MK812A with a built-in 200M Pixel 🙂 front camera :
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/MK812A-Bluetooth-Version-rockchip-rk3188-quad-core-mini-PC/985627385.html?s=p
@Gabe
A first I thought Mimo M1 might also be a DVB receive seeing the connector. But it’s just for the Wi-Fi antenna.
@LinuxMint
Got MK919 a few weeks ago and WiFi performance is dismal – cannot get it stable.
Very slow [buffers MP3] and WiFi goes down completely quite regularly…
Does anyone have updated/improved SW for the MK919 ? Also, very interested in LINUX and/or dual-boot …
cx-919 is available for usd 63 here: http://www.in4dealz.com/
@FransM
And that includes shipping. I think we may be quite close to the price bottom for quad core mini-PC (with 2GB RAM/8GB flash) this year.
noticed this one on ebay: H9 RK3188 Android 4.1.1 Mini PC Quad Core 1.6GHz Wifi Bluetooth 8GB TV Box HDMI
usd 68, external antenna 1g ram 8 g rom
oh and found ugoos qc802 on geekbuying, usd 80 but has 16G flash
difficult to choose….
@CodeKipper
I just got QC802 in mail and I think power isn’t an issue for lapdock resolution is! I only get red screen with message that resolution is too high. I am triying to find solution… No luck so far…
T518:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/External-Antenna-2GB-RAM-8GB-RK3188-T518-Quad-Core-ARM-Cortex-A9-Android-4-2/1120903812.html
AD6351:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/AD6352-Android-TV-Stick-RK3188-28nm-Cortex-A9-Quad-core-2GB-8GB-Android-4-2-2/1138207730.html
Cheap RK3188 stick with 1GB RAM, you can use $5 coupon code to buy for around $42:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/rk3188-quad-core-mini-PC-android-4-2-2-smart-TV-box-IPTV-stick/1195622237.html
@Gabe
I think the last one might be mispriced; the seller has RK3066 sticks at the bottom of the page for the same price 🙁
You were right, it was mispriced.
@onebir
@Gabe
All part of the Aliexpress experience :p
I’ve dropped them a note and the price should be 48.99 instead of 38.99
Still a good deal I’d say.
Where can I find this $5 coupon ? that would make it very sweet.
found the coupon on the front page.
Anyway, this specific one is 1G ram 4G rom and no BT. With shipping it is about $55, and for $59 one has a 2G/8G version with BT, so the deal is not that good.
Cheap ( $40 ) quad-core RK3188 Pipo X1 Beta:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Better-than-CS968-MK908-Android-smart-tv-stick-quad-core-rk3188-PIPO-X1-Beta-version-tv/1771957008.html
MK820 metal shell box RK3188T, 1GB RAM, price $65:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/MK820-pure-metal-shell-quad-core-Android-TV-BOX-media-network-TV-BOX-WIFI-HD/1874432908.html
MK813 1GB RAM $47:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/MK813-New-Arrival-RK3188-Quad-core-Android-TV-box-with-Android-4-2-RAM1GB-ROM8GB/1438359881.html
iMito QX-1 for $30:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/iMiTO-QX1-Mini-TV-box-Android-4-2-RK3188-Quad-Core-1-6GHz-TV-Box-2G/2055146699.html
@Gabe Must be clearance stock at that price!