[This review has been written using only the AllWinner MK802 Android Mini PC, using Jota Text Editor. It was posted using the MK802, using the Android Central Forum app.]
I purchased my MK802 from AliExpress, from a seller in Shenzhen, China. I received it in 13 days. Generally, I've been pretty impressed with the power in this little device. However, I made my purchase based entirely on faith as there were no reviews online at the time I placed my order. As the device is becoming more easily available, I thought it might be useful to give a personal hands-on review.
The MK802 comes with an HDMI cable, a USB cable and a power supply. The device has 2 USB connectors; one is for connecting to a PC as with any Android phone or tablet, and the other is for running external devices (HDD, keyboard, mouse). My USB multi-hub expander works perfectly. It does not have Bluetooth, so you will need a wired or USB wireless keyboard and mouse. There's also a MicroSD slot.
The device came with a lot of preloaded software, most of which was geared to the Chinese market and which I deleted immediately. It also came with Angry Birds and Skype pre-loaded, but I deleted them without testing. Be careful if you like Angry Birds; you won't be able to reinstall it from the app store.
The good news is that the MK802 comes with Google Play installed. I was slightly worried that, as with some of the Polaroid products, I'd have to side-load apps or use Amazon's market with its reduced offerings.
The MK802 works very acceptably as a Netflix device. I attempted to install the free SnagFilms service, but I could not get it to work.
The bad news is that it doesn't seem to do streaming Shoutcast/IceCast playback - all of the apps that I use on my Samsung Galaxy Media 5.0 for streaming radio errored out when I tried to use them. This was a real disappointment for me, as I had a project in mind for the MK802 which involved playback of a Shoutcast stream.
Spotify does work, but as even the updated app does not have a landscape mode, it spins over to portrait mode, making navigation a challenge.
Twicca, my favorite Twitter app, is not compatible. Tweetcaster, however, works acceptably.
K-9 Mail works perfectly.
Meebo, my preferred IM client, works wonderfully with the MK802. However, it looks like Meebo will be closing in Mid-July as Google has acquired the company. Ebuddy is not compatible.
A quick list of apps I use that I can verify are not presently compatible: Winamp, TuneIn, Boat Browser, Twitter's official app, Facebook's official app, Blogger's official app, Wordpress's official app, Diaro, Ubersocial, Twigee, Tweetdeck, HootSuite, Soundcloud, Tasks N Todo's, EasyMoney, Google Currents, HeyWire, and News360.
Of course, there's no possible way to make a complete list - if there's an app in particular that you'd like for me to test, please reply and I'll try to test it as my time permits.
I tested 1080p video using the copy of "Inside Job" available for download on Vimeo. It played flawlessly. Same with all of my DVD-to-MP4 rips.
It detected my Western Digital 1gb Passport drive without issues.
I do have a display problem with the AllWinner on my 720p bedroom television - the left and right margins of the display are slightly clipped. Granted, it's a very old and off-brand LCD flatscreen (Element). The AllWinner displays gorgeously on the huge-screen Samsung 1080p in the living room.
There is the small issue of capacitive interface translating to a mouse. Getting used to 'clicking and throwing' takes a little bit of getting used to.
All in all, for $72 including shipping, it functions respectably in the "Internet Set-Top" department. If you want a cheap way to expand your TV's capabilities without having to buy a bunch of proprietary add-ons, you can't go wrong. Just remember that it's a first-gen product, and all of the glitches that come from early adoption apply.
Sent from my AK-MINI-PC-002 using Android Central Forums
I purchased my MK802 from AliExpress, from a seller in Shenzhen, China. I received it in 13 days. Generally, I've been pretty impressed with the power in this little device. However, I made my purchase based entirely on faith as there were no reviews online at the time I placed my order. As the device is becoming more easily available, I thought it might be useful to give a personal hands-on review.
The MK802 comes with an HDMI cable, a USB cable and a power supply. The device has 2 USB connectors; one is for connecting to a PC as with any Android phone or tablet, and the other is for running external devices (HDD, keyboard, mouse). My USB multi-hub expander works perfectly. It does not have Bluetooth, so you will need a wired or USB wireless keyboard and mouse. There's also a MicroSD slot.
The device came with a lot of preloaded software, most of which was geared to the Chinese market and which I deleted immediately. It also came with Angry Birds and Skype pre-loaded, but I deleted them without testing. Be careful if you like Angry Birds; you won't be able to reinstall it from the app store.
The good news is that the MK802 comes with Google Play installed. I was slightly worried that, as with some of the Polaroid products, I'd have to side-load apps or use Amazon's market with its reduced offerings.
The MK802 works very acceptably as a Netflix device. I attempted to install the free SnagFilms service, but I could not get it to work.
The bad news is that it doesn't seem to do streaming Shoutcast/IceCast playback - all of the apps that I use on my Samsung Galaxy Media 5.0 for streaming radio errored out when I tried to use them. This was a real disappointment for me, as I had a project in mind for the MK802 which involved playback of a Shoutcast stream.
Spotify does work, but as even the updated app does not have a landscape mode, it spins over to portrait mode, making navigation a challenge.
Twicca, my favorite Twitter app, is not compatible. Tweetcaster, however, works acceptably.
K-9 Mail works perfectly.
Meebo, my preferred IM client, works wonderfully with the MK802. However, it looks like Meebo will be closing in Mid-July as Google has acquired the company. Ebuddy is not compatible.
A quick list of apps I use that I can verify are not presently compatible: Winamp, TuneIn, Boat Browser, Twitter's official app, Facebook's official app, Blogger's official app, Wordpress's official app, Diaro, Ubersocial, Twigee, Tweetdeck, HootSuite, Soundcloud, Tasks N Todo's, EasyMoney, Google Currents, HeyWire, and News360.
Of course, there's no possible way to make a complete list - if there's an app in particular that you'd like for me to test, please reply and I'll try to test it as my time permits.
I tested 1080p video using the copy of "Inside Job" available for download on Vimeo. It played flawlessly. Same with all of my DVD-to-MP4 rips.
It detected my Western Digital 1gb Passport drive without issues.
I do have a display problem with the AllWinner on my 720p bedroom television - the left and right margins of the display are slightly clipped. Granted, it's a very old and off-brand LCD flatscreen (Element). The AllWinner displays gorgeously on the huge-screen Samsung 1080p in the living room.
There is the small issue of capacitive interface translating to a mouse. Getting used to 'clicking and throwing' takes a little bit of getting used to.
All in all, for $72 including shipping, it functions respectably in the "Internet Set-Top" department. If you want a cheap way to expand your TV's capabilities without having to buy a bunch of proprietary add-ons, you can't go wrong. Just remember that it's a first-gen product, and all of the glitches that come from early adoption apply.
Sent from my AK-MINI-PC-002 using Android Central Forums
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