New UG802 Dual Core Android Mini PC
Is the UG802 Dual Core Android Mini PC the New King of the Android-on-a-Stick Hill?
The UG802 Dual Core Android Mini PC is one of the latest Android-on-a-Stick device that has just been released. It terms of form and function, it is very similar to the very popular MK802 Android 4.0 Mini PC that was released sometime the middle of this year.
Like the MK802, the UG802 is actually a full fledged computer with a CPU, GPU, memory and storage all squeezed into a container that is about the size of half a deck of playing cards. It has a HDMI connector that allows you to plug it into a HDMI capable display such as an HDTV or a monitor plus USB ports to connect a mouse and keyboard.
Another similarity that the UG802 shares with MK802 is that they both run on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and come with the Google Play Store app already installed. This means that the UG802 can download and run apps that are found on the Google Play Store such as web browsers, social networking, games and video streaming apps.
However, like the name suggests, the UG802 comes with a dual core 1.2 GHz CPU and a quad core GPU that puts it in a huge advantage over the MK802 that has a single core 1GHz CPU. The UG802 has a few other tricks up its sleeve as well. This article takes a look at the extras that the UG802 offers over the MK802 and whether the extras are worth the UG802's higher selling price.
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Android 4.0 HDMI Mini PC Smart internet TV adaptor/dongle - RK3066 Dual Core 1.6Ghz CPU, WiFi N, HD 1080P UG802
The UG802 Android Mini PC comes with a faster dual core RK3066 processor and a quad core GPU. It also has a better cooling design that prevents over heating even when running over long periods of time.
UG802 Dual Core Android Mini PC Specifications and Comparisons with the MK802
The UG802 features a Dual Core Cortex A9 1.2 GHz Rockchip RK3066 CPU with Quad Core Mali 400 MHz GPU. The Rockchip RK3066 chipset is in a similar class with the Samsung Exynos 4 dual core chipset found in the Samsung Galaxy S2 Android smartphone.
The Rockchip RK3066 should give a significant boost to the UG802's processing power. Although the MK802 runs Android 4.0 adequately, those of us who are used to modern Android smartphones do miss the relatively lag free and much smoother experience on our phones compared to the MK802.
The RAM is 1GB just like the MK802 and so is the built-in storage at 4GB. The UG802 has a built in HDMI connector just like the MK802 II so that you can plug it directly to the HDMI port on the HDTV or monitor. However, since the UG802's body is quite broad relative to the HDMI connector's size, it may block the other HDMI ports and you may need an adapter cable after all. Also like the MK802 II, the HDMI connector on the UG802 has ESD protection to reduce interference.
Other hardware features include one USB 2.0 host port, a micro USB port for power and a micro SD slot that supports up to 32GB micro SD cards. Of note here is the use of the micro USB port for power and the lack of a separate power port unlike the MK802. This means that realistically, only 1 USB port is available for connecting to USB peripherals. The need for a USB hub is almost a certainty.
Size wise, the UG802 is about the same size as the MK802 although is is noticeably thicker at 16mm compared to 12mm on the MK802. It is also about 50% heavier at 38g.
Ventilation holes on the UG802 - lots of them
The other thing of note is the presence of ventilation holes on the plastic casing - lots of them - on the top, the bottom and the sides. This is likely due to overheating problems that plagued the MK802 which resorted to some users modifying their MK802 by adding heat sinks to it.The UG802 comes with a micro USB cable to be used with the included USB charger adapter.
Last but not least, the UG802 is available in a variety of colors. I have seen versions in black, bright orange, maroon. lime green and neon blue.
Rockchip RK3066 Dual Core Android Mini PC Firmware and Linux Update Guide
Check out available firmware updates and custom ROMs that are available for the UG802 Android Mini PC. Links to ROM files and required tools plus detailed instructions are available.
Check out available firmware updates and custom ROMs that are available for the UG802 Android Mini PC. Links to ROM files and required tools plus detailed instructions are available.
On the software side, the UG802 runs on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) just like the MK802. For those of you who are thinking of running Linux on the UG802, please take note that the Rockchip RK3066 is a fairly recent processor and Linux support is not as good as the Allwinner A10 CPU found on the MK802. However, there are more RK3066 based Android mini PCs appearing on the market like the just released MK808 Dual Core Android Mini PC so support may improve over time as these newer wave of devices get more popular.
Listed below are the full specifications of the UG802 Dual Core Android Mini PC.
UG802 DUAL CORE ANDROID MINI PC TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
> OS - Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
> Chipset - Rockchip RK 3066, Dual core Cortex A9 processor CPU, 1.2 GHz; Quad core Mali 400, GPU clocked at 250 MHz
> Memory - 1GB DDR3
> Built-in Storage- 4GB NAND Flash
> Network - WiFi 802.11b/g/n
> Additional Storage - Micro SD up to 32GB
> Video Formats - MKV, TS, TP, M2TS, RM/RMVB, BD-ISO, AVI, MPG, VOB, DAT, ASF, TRP, FLV
> Audio Formats - MP3, OGG, WMA, WMAPRO
> Photo Formats - JPG, TIF, PNG, BMP
> Video/Audio Output - HDMI
> IO/Ports - 1 Mini USB, 1 USB , 1 HDMI 1.3
> Size - 33mm x 89mm x 16mm
> Weight - 100g
USB keyboard combos that work with the UG802 Dual Core Android Mini PC
A wireless keyboard allows you to sit back comfortably from your TV as you control the UG802.
Best Mini Wireless Keyboards for Android Mini PC
Android Mini PCs have support for both wire and wireless USB keyboards. If you are using the Android Mini PC with your TV in the living room, a wireless keyboard...
Portable USB 2.4GHz Wireless Air Fly Mouse Multi Keyboard for PC (Black)
The flymouse lets you control the cursor on the screen like a Wii remote by moving it in the air and if you need to enter any text, you can do it quickly and accurately with the built-in full QWERTY keypad. A very popular choice among Android Mini PC users.
Unisen iPazzPort KP-810-18R Wireless Keyboard and Touchpad with Learning Infrared (IR) Remote Control 2.4G RF Google TV Compatible
Another great mini wireless keyboard to pair with the UG802. The Unisen iPazzPort KP-810-18R has a trackpad instead of a flymouse. On one side is a QWERTY keyboard and on the other is a remote control that has IR learning function.
2.4G Rii Mini i8 Wireless Keyboard with Touchpad for PC Pad Google Andriod TV Box
Another keyboard/mouse combo with a trackpad. Check out the YouTube video below that shows the Rii Mini i8 Wireless Keyboard being used to play Fruit Ninja on the UG802.
UG802 Dual Core Android Mini PC Performance
I have included a few YouTube videos below that shows how the UG802 performs running different apps. The first thing you will notice is that the UG802 comes with a custom launcher unlike the MK802 which uses the default Android launcher. The good thing is that the launcher comes with huge icons that makes access to the most common functions on the UG802 namely video and audio playback, photo viewing, access to the apps list and settings page. However there are some additional links at the bottom that link to some Chinese apps and it seems there is no way to replace or remove them.
From the first video, you can see that the entire interface is now much smoother compared to the MK802. Clicking and changing between screens and apps is fast with no noticeable lag. The ever popular Angry Birds plays without any jitters or lag. Web pages render quickly on the web browser and embedded YouTube videos play smoothly just like on a desktop browser.
On the second video, apps like Netflix, Angry Birds, Dolphin Browser and OnLive all work great. The browser loads big images really quickly and I am also impressed with how well the live streaming video works on OnLive.
The third video shows XBMC running on the UG802 and streaming off a PS3 Media Server. The video plays smoothly but it is only in standard definition. The MK802 chokes on HD videos in XBMC due to lack of video hardware decoding. It would be interesting to find out if the faster processor on the UG802 will allow it to do software decoding smoothly on HD quality videos.
The fourth video has an unboxing segment plus a closer look at the Rii mini i8 wireless mini keyboard with touchpad that is often sold together with the UG802. It is interesting to see Fruit Ninja being played with a touchpad but I don't think you have enough precision to play the game properly. There is also a couple of benchmark results which show that the UG802 is ranked closely to the Samsung Galaxy S2.
The fifth video shows that the UG802 has support for 3G USB dongles. However we do not know for sure if it supports all or most 3G dongles or only selected ones. This is another huge plus for the UG802.
Getting Skype to work on UG802
One of the more popular uses for the Android Mini PC devices is to use it for Skype. Unfortunately finding a webcam that works is not exactly a science and the manufacturers are not helping out by specifying which webcams work and which don't although most of them claim Skype compatibility as one of the selling points.
Therefore I have decided to help out by identifying webcams that have been reported to be working with the UG802.
For a comprehensive compilation of compatible webcams and firmware versions for the Neo G4 and other dual core Android Mini PCs, check out my guide, Skype on MK808, UG802, MX1, Neo G4 and MK802 III.
Skype on MK808, UG802, MX1, Neo G4 and MK802 III
Skype is often listed as a supported feature by the retailers of the Android Mini PCs such as the MK808, Ugoos UG802 and Rikomagic MK802 III. However, what...
Logitech QuickCam Orbit AF
Conclusion
In conclusion, based on what I have seen and know so far about the UG802, my general conclusion is that it is generally a better device compared to the MK802. The faster processor seems to make a big difference when it comes to the smoothness of the user interface and most apps seem to run better as well.
The only thing that you might want to consider when making a choice between the UG802 and the MK802 is the better support for Linux that the MK802 has. If you plan to stick with Android, the UG802 is the better choice between the two.
However, the UG802 itself is facing competition from other RK3066 based devices such as the new MK808 Dual Core Android Mini PC and the MINIX NEO G4. You might want to check them out before making a decision.
UG802 versus MK808
Find out how the UG802 Android Mini PC fairs when we pitch it head-to-head against the MK808. Which one do we pick as the winner in the clash between these 2 dual core RK3066 based Android Mini PCs.
Android Mini PC Buying Guide
Need help in selecting the best Android Mini PC for you? Check out this comprehensive guide that includes pros and cons for each Android Mini PC.
What is the Ugoos UG007 Android Mini PC?
Ugoos, the manufacturer of the UG802, released the Ugoos UG007 Android Mini PC, the updated version of the UG802 in end October 2012. The UG007 is a minor update to the UG802 with the biggest feature being the addition of Bluetooth connectivity.
The other significant update is the use of Google Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean instead of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.
Besides these 2 differences, the UG007 is almost exactly the same as the UG802.
