This is the first ever Android-powered Computer, and it's available in Nigeria

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April 21, 2016
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4 min read

Android is taking over the world. If you are reading this, chances are you are doing so on an Android smartphone. And even if you aren't, there's a huge chance that the friend you will later share this post to will read it on an Android phone.

There's no doubt about it, Android is the world's most popular OS. And for many in the developing world, Android smartphones are their closest, and often only, experience with Personal Computing. This is exactly what the founders of Jide Technologies (pronounced 'Jaid') were banking on when they decided to build this small device that combines the intuitiveness of the Android OS with the productivity and scale of the Desktop Computing.

I bring you the Remix Mini

remix-mini-out-of-box

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Specifications

Remix Mini is has all the makings of a mid-end Android smartphone:

  • 1.2GHz quad-core Allwinner 64-bit processor
  • 16GB of storage (expandable) and 2GB of RAM
  • Bluetooth, WiFi and USB connectivity
  • HDMI output
  • Android 5.1 Lollipop
  • No camera (of course)

Nothing spectacular that would blow your mind. However, the Remix Mini's strength is way beyond its specs.

The Remix Mini PC

You're probably wondering by now what the Remix Mini computer looks like. Here you go

remix-mini-pc

Dazall. Oh, were you expecting something bigger? True to its name, the Remix Mini is way smaller in size than your average PC. Its is as small as a regular-sized purse or a rock you could hold in your hand. Behind it you'll find everything you need to use the PC:

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remix-mini-ports

  • a LAN port for connecting to the internet (it has WiFi too);
  • two USB ports for plugging in flash drives, keyboards, mice and what not;
  • a slot for up to 128GB expandable external memory and
  • finally the HDMI port with which you can connect to any HDMI enabled display/monitor.

Also in the box you'll find the power adapter, for charging the device, and HDMI cable, for connecting to a display.

remix-mini-accesories

First Impressions

We only just received the Remix Mini yesterday evening and I didn't unbox it until this morning. So if you were expecting a full review, you might have to wait a couple more days. In the meantime, here are my first impressions of the Remix Mini PC.

It's awesome

Before I even get to using the device itself, I'm gonna jump the gun and do ahead to declare that it is awesome, by virtue of its novelty. Building a minute-sized PC that will be able to tap into most, if not all, of the advantages of the Android ecosystem is no small feat. With the right awareness, proper marketing and other necessary parameters (I'll get to that in a bit), this could be a hit.

However ...

I feel like Jide Technologies made a number of erroneous assumptions in bringing the Remix Mini to Nigeria. First off, they assume that everyone has got a HDMI enabled display lying fallow somewhere at home. For most people who have never owned even a Windows 98 PC, this is not a given. And in the event that there is any HDMI display in the home, it's bound to be the family flat screen TV in the common sitting room. Nothing 'personal' about that.

But even if you had a flat screen TV all to yourself, here's another snag; did you notice how small the HDMI cable is?

remix-mini-hdmi-cable

You'll probably find yourself having to hang the Remix Mini to get any use out of the bundled cable. I can understand this one; HDMI cables are relatively expensive so if they are going to keep the Remix Mini at the relatively moderate price of ₦29,999, they can't afford to bundle expensive HDMI cables.

Thankfully, I can scale through the above hurdles without breaking a sweat. So you can be sure that I will bring you a full review of the Remix Mini in due course.

You can subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know when whether or not the Remix Mini PC is worth it. Oh and by the way, if you know anyone who would find it useful, you should totally share this with them.

I bully myself because I make me do what I put my mind to. Find me on Twitter @MuyoSan.
I bully myself because I make me do what I put my mind to. Find me on Twitter @MuyoSan.
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I bully myself because I make me do what I put my mind to. Find me on Twitter @MuyoSan.

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