Computers

Mi PC wants to put desktop computer power in the palm of your hand

Mi PC wants to put desktop computer power in the palm of your hand
The MiniPC can boot to a full desktop version of Windows 10 or Android 5.1
The MiniPC can boot to a full desktop version of Windows 10 or Android 5.1
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The MiniPC features its own 6,000 mAh battery for portable computing freedom
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The MiniPC features its own 6,000 mAh battery for portable computing freedom
The MiniPC has a 5-inch, 1,280 x 720 resolution touch display
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The MiniPC has a 5-inch, 1,280 x 720 resolution touch display
The MiniPC can boot to a full desktop version of Windows 10 or Android 5.1
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The MiniPC can boot to a full desktop version of Windows 10 or Android 5.1
The MiniPC offers a good selection of ports around its edges, including USB-C, USB 3.0 and 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet and HDMI
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The MiniPC offers a good selection of ports around its edges, including USB-C, USB 3.0 and 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet and HDMI
The MiniPC offers a good selection of ports around its edges, including USB-C, USB 3.0 and 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet and HDMI
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The MiniPC offers a good selection of ports around its edges, including USB-C, USB 3.0 and 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet and HDMI
The MiniPC is supplied with a folding Bluetooth keyboard
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The MiniPC is supplied with a folding Bluetooth keyboard
The MiniPC has a 5-inch, 1,280 x 720 resolution touch display
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The MiniPC has a 5-inch, 1,280 x 720 resolution touch display
The MiniPC is described as pocket-sized, though its 16 mm thickness could make it a tight squeeze in skinny fit jeans
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The MiniPC is described as pocket-sized, though its 16 mm thickness could make it a tight squeeze in skinny fit jeans
Add-on perks include a game controller for the MiniPC
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Add-on perks include a game controller for the MiniPC
An included HDMI port caters for connection to a bigger screen
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An included HDMI port caters for connection to a bigger screen
The MiniPC has a fanless design for silent operation
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The MiniPC has a fanless design for silent operation
The MiniPC does include front-facing stereo speakers, though users may want to use the audio output jack to enjoy decent sound
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The MiniPC does include front-facing stereo speakers, though users may want to use the audio output jack to enjoy decent sound
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Tablets have revolutionized portable computing, but sacrifices need to be made for mobile convenience. Most only have one physical connectivity port, for example, and simple storage expansion can be problematic. And if you want to run a full Windows operating system you may be left wanting. Currently raising production funds on Indiegogo, the Mi MiniPC palm-sized computer rocks three flavors of USB connectivity, a built-in battery, a 720p touch display and the option to run Windows or Android.

The MiniPC is actually pitched as being pocket-sized, though its somewhat chunky girth might be a bit of a tight squeeze in your skinny fit jeans so we're going with palm-sized to describe its 135 x 90 x 16 mm (5.3 x 3.5 x 0.6 in) dimensions.

The MiniPC is described as pocket-sized, though its 16 mm thickness could make it a tight squeeze in skinny fit jeans
The MiniPC is described as pocket-sized, though its 16 mm thickness could make it a tight squeeze in skinny fit jeans

We've seen a number of similarly teeny computers over the years that run Windows or Android operating systems. This one runs a desktop version of Windows 10 and ticks the mobile system box with Android 5.1 – though not at the same time, users are given a choice at boot up.

It has its own 5-inch, 1,280 x 720 resolution touchscreen display up top, is powered by a 2.56 GHz Atom x7-Z8750 processor supported by 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of SSD storage, and offers a good selection of ports around its edges, including USB-C, USB 3.0 and 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet and HDMI. There's a microSD (TF) slot for storage expansion, too. Wireless connectivity shapes up as Bluetooth 4.2 and dual-band Wi-Fi, and a 6,000 mAh battery is reported good for up to 6 hours of usage per charge.

The fanless design makes for silent operation, aluminum housing should be cool to the touch as well as lending a stylish look, and the MiniPC comes with a folding Bluetooth keyboard to make typing easier than sacrificing precious display real estate to an onscreen virtual keyboard. The unit does have front-facing stereo speakers, though users will likely need to make use of the audio output jack to enjoy decent sound.

The MiniPC has a fanless design for silent operation
The MiniPC has a fanless design for silent operation

The MiniPC project is already funded on Indiegogo with 22 days left to run. Pledges start at US$149, with add-ons including a more recent flavor of Android, more storage and an extra battery also available. If all goes to plan, shipping is estimated to start in September. The pitch video below has more.

Sources: Mi PC, Indiegogo

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5 comments
5 comments
ChairmanLMAO
ok nice but - don't want windows 10 or android...like linux as it is more trustworthy as it is open source letting the community examine the inner workings...will take with linux thanks
Pupp1
So this device is fan-less, cool to the touch, and has desktop power.
I have a feeling that at least one of these things are a gross exaggeration.
ProfessorWhat
Sounds pretty much like the ideal porta-pc that I've been wanting for a few years now, but it's still missing a dedicated mic/audio-in port. Also, a full-sized SD port would be far better, for working with cameras and such.
Imran Sheikh
well its rebranding of Gole1, minus the ugly antiena gole1 have and upgrades on ram and internal storage.. definately prefer this one over gole1 if the price is good..
christopher
That CPU is 500% slower than the CPU that is typically found inside your home modem or ethernet switch.
A good CPU scores a speed rating of 28,000 these days.
This one scores 1,944.
That's way more than 10 times slower than a typical laptop.