Your Opinion on Geekbox? Android 5.1 and Ubuntu

[Walter H.W.]

Hey guys, I came across this tv box called Geekbox, it says it will both run Android 5.1 and (most importantly) Ubuntu.

 

The processor is a RK3368, ARM Cortex-A53 processor with PowerVR G6110 graphics chip, and support OPENGL ES 3.1.

 

I've read around that there are not many programs compatible with ARM based processors, so it won't be that much useful as an Ubuntu PC.

 

Is that correct? What should I expect?

[Walter H.W.]

There's an update, although nobody seems interested.

 

They just released the Source Code, Biz Os ROM, and Stock ROM.

 

http://blog.geekbuying.com/index.php/2015/12/11/geekboxs-source-code-biz-os-rom-and-stock-rom-realease-20151211/

Does it make it more interesting?

[Sithhy]

Still not interesting because it uses an ARM chip... So it's a no-no for using Ubuntu on it [emoji14]

[ManWithBeard1990]

Still not interesting because it uses an ARM chip... So it's a no-no for using Ubuntu on it [emoji14]

There's an ARM version of Ubuntu though. It needs at least the ARMv7 instruction set, which the original Raspberry Pi didn't have, but this does. It costs entirely too much for what it is, though.

[Walter H.W.]

Still not interesting because it uses an ARM chip... So it's a no-no for using Ubuntu on it [emoji14]

 

There's an ARM version of Ubuntu though. It needs at least the ARMv7 instruction set, which the original Raspberry Pi didn't have, but this does. It costs entirely too much for what it is, though.

 

Do you really need Ubuntu when you can use Biz OS for a desktop-like experience? It's not like this is going to be powerful enough for anything serious anyway..

[DigitalHermit]

Meh...

Would rather go for something with a Celeron J1900... more customization and more things that you can run on it...

[Sithhy]

There's an ARM version of Ubuntu though. It needs at least the ARMv7 instruction set, which the original Raspberry Pi didn't have, but this does. It costs entirely too much for what it is, though.

I know that there's ARM Ubuntu but a desktop OS on ARM is still a no-no... Has the same functionality as Windows RT

[ManWithBeard1990]

I know that there's ARM Ubuntu but a desktop OS on ARM is still a no-no... Has the same functionality as Windows RT

Actually no. The fact that it is a full blown OS makes it able to do everything. It might not do it quickly enough, but still. Saying an OS is limited in functionality because ARM is a long way from the truth.

[Walter H.W.]

Meh...

Would rather go for something with a Celeron J1900... more customization and more things that you can run on it...

Something like this: Onda M2 Mini PC w/ Intel Pentium J1900 4Gb DDR3 128Gb SSD ?

[DigitalHermit]

Something like this: Onda M2 Mini PC w/ Intel Pentium J1900 4Gb DDR3 128Gb SSD ?

Yep...

But personally, I'd rather take an ITX box...

something like this: http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Q1900B-ITX/

in a case like this: http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=536&area=en

Just for the SATA ports and PCI expansion slot.

[Walter H.W.]

Yep...

But personally, I'd rather take an ITX box...

something like this: http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Q1900B-ITX/

in a case like this: http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=536&area=en

Just for the SATA ports and PCI expansion slot.

Yes, that's for sure, but it's gonna cost a lot more than $189 ..

[DigitalHermit]

Yes, that's for sure, but it's gonna cost a lot more than $189 ..

yes it will... unfortunately... the Q1900 alone costs around 85USD locally... add on the other components and you're looking at a 250USD system...

I can build mine for cheaper because of all the extra parts that I have in storage...

but it all depends on the use case...

if you're just converting your TV to a smart TV (or expanding its capabilities), then by all means, grab the Onda...

The Geekbox would be a nice device for general media consumption and maybe some minimal productivity, but in the end, the x86 chip allows for more powerful software to be run on the device including a full-blown desktop OS...

edit:

pair it up with one of those wireless keyboards with integrated touchpad and you can really turn it into something interesting and functional...

just don't expect it to run Crysis tho...

[Walter H.W.]

yes it will... unfortunately... the Q1900 alone costs around 85USD locally... add on the other components and you're looking at a 250USD system...

I can build mine for cheaper because of all the extra parts that I have in storage...

but it all depends on the use case...

if you're just converting your TV to a smart TV (or expanding its capabilities), then by all means, grab the Onda...

The Geekbox would be a nice device for general media consumption and maybe some minimal productivity, but in the end, the x86 chip allows for more powerful software to be run on the device including a full-blown desktop OS...

edit:

pair it up with one of those wireless keyboards with integrated touchpad and you can really turn it into something interesting and functional...

just don't expect it to run Crysis tho...

As I suspected, hehe.

 

It would be cool to have both, an usable PC and a proper media player, it's still hard to find a good combination.

I happen to have one of those keyboards with integrated touchpad, I'd have to find a place to put the "PC" so that it'll output to a monitor and a TV at the same time. Although it's really disappointing it won't run Crysis.. Just kidding