Makers are launching more compact units that can be easily attached to various computer systems. Many adopt multiple chipsets and suit different OS, including Windows, Linux and Android.

Android 4.2-based

Dongguan Sonicway Electrical Appliance Co. Ltd
Android 4.2-based CR9-X model from Dongguan Sonicway uses an RK3188 Arm Cortex-A9 1.8GHz quadcore CPU and an AMD Z430 Open GLES2.0 or Mali-400 Open VG1.1 500MHz quadcore GPU. The mini PC has a 2GB DDR3 RAM, 8GB flash memory, and supports Broadcom AP6210 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. The 110x40x10.5mm unit comes with male HDMI, microTF card, and multiple USB ports. The device also supports DLNA, Microsoft Office, Bluetooth 4.0, Opera, UCWeb, SkyFile, Dolphinand, and various picture, video and audio formats.

Customizable functions

Shenzhen Junfirer Technology Development Co. Ltd
The functions of Shenzhen Junfirer's JFTC100-W model can be customized. The chipset choices range from single-core 1.5GHz to quadcore 17GHz types. The mini PC is compatible with different OS, including Windows XP, 7, 8 and Linux, and supports Microsoft RDP protocol, Citrix, VMware and Spice. The energy-efficient unit adopts a solid state drive for enhanced stability and a hardware design that can easily be attached at the back of a monitor. Its startup interface can also be buyer-specified.

4.5mm-thick aluminum housing

Shenzhen Realan Computer Products Co. Ltd
Shenzhen Realan's LR-1037UN model comes with a 4.5mm-thick aluminum housing, and utilizes Intel C1037U 1.8GHz dual-core CPU and HD Graphics 2000 display card. The 200x44x200mm mini PC supports 2x2.5in HDD and incorporates two Wi-Fi ports. Mini solid state drive is optional. The unit uses an LR120500 12V5A adapter, and suits home theater, games and office applications.

Ubuntu Linux OS

Shenzhen Rikomagic Technology Co. Ltd
The MK802IV LE-1 model from Shenzhen Rikomagic runs on Ubuntu Linux OS and is HDMI- and DVI-compatible, providing 1080p multimedia digital display. It adopts a 28nm Rockchip 3188 Arm Cortex-A9 1.4 to 1.6GHz quadcore CPU and a Mali-400 MP4 OpenGL ES 2.0 or OpenVG 1.1 533MHz 2D/3D GPU. The mini PC has a 2GB DDR3 RAM, 8 or 16GB flash memory and up to 32GB TransFlash. The device supports Bluetooth, Flash 11.1 and up, 802.11 b/g/n, and different picture, video and audio formats. It also comes with male HDMI, microSD, USB host, USB-OTG, and USB power ports.

Supports Netflix XBMC, DLNA

Shenzhen Shiningworth Technology Co. Ltd
Shenzhen Shiningworth's model U2D-1-1-1-1-1-1 Android 4.2-based mini PC runs on AML 8726 MX 1.5GHz dual-core CPU and Mali-400 dual-core GPU. The 66x66x16mm unit has a 1GB DDR3 RAM, 8GB NAND flash and two high-speed USB 2.0 ports. It supports RJ-45 10/100M LAN Ethernet, FAT16, FAT32 and NTFS HDD, Bluetooth, Netflix XBMC, DLNA, up to 1080p HDMI 1.4 and various media, music and picture formats. The device also comes with an LED indicator and 5VDC 2A power supply.

Mini PC, Android TV dongle

Shenzhen Sunchip Technology Co. Ltd
The CX-803S-1-1 model from Shenzhen Sunchip runs on Android 4.2.2, and adopts a Rockchip RK3066 Arm Cortex-A9 1.6GHz chipset and a Mali-400 MP4 GPU. The mini PC and TV dongle comes with a 1GB DDR RAM and 4, 8 or 16GB flash memory. The 101.2x48x9.5mm unit also supports 802.11 b/g/n Realtek 8189 Wi-Fi module.

HDMI 1.4-compatible

Shenzhen Vipstech Co. Ltd
HDMI 1.4-compatible VDR24-140922-10 model from Shenzhen Vipstech has a maximum resolution of 1080p. The Android 4.2 and HTML5-based mini PC uses a RockChip RK3188 Arm Cortex-A9 1.6GHz quadcore processor, and supports different video, audio and picture formats. The unit has a 1GB RAM and an 8GB flash memory. The capacity can be customized. The 98.59x33.09x12.2mm device also comes with a multilanguage OSD and built-in Wi-Fi.