The Remix Mini is created by Jide Tech. The company’s first product was the original Remix which claimed to deliver a “laptop experience” on an Android tablet. Now, the company has returned with a tiny desktop computer that sets itself apart from the crowd by also running Android.
The Mini can be equipped with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage or 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. The former costs $30 while the latter will set you back $50. Both versions are powered by a quad-core 64-bit processor running at 1.2GHz.
The computer has two USB2.0 ports, an Ethernet port for Internet access, HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a microSD slot and a headphone jack. It is capable of outputting video to monitors in resolutions of up to 4K but still manages to measure in at just 12.4cm by 8.8cm (4.9 inches by 3.5 inches).
The Remix Mini has a unique power button design. Rather than requiring a physical press, the Mini’s top acts as a capacitive, touch-sensitive key. When running, the computer draws just 10W of electricity — far below normal desktops which can draw hundreds of watts.
Ordinarily, Android wouldn’t make for a great experience on a desktop computer. However, Jide Tech have created their own, unique productivity-focused version, Remix OS. Based on Android 5.0 Lollipop, Remix OS 1.5 adds a Windows-style taskbar and notification area, making it far more mouse friendly. The enhancements don’t end there as Remix OS has full multi-window support for Android apps. Each app gets its own title bar, just like Windows.
Indeed, as with the original Remix tablet, many similarities can be drawn with Windows. At first sight, Remix OS looks very much like a Windows 10 computer blended with a Chromebook. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing though.
The OS looks clean and minimalist, with an emphasis on block colours. The multi-window support enables you to run the 1.5 million Android apps of the Google Play Store side-by-side, like using conventional Windows programs on the desktop. Remix OS appears to make a good job of taking the best of Windows and of Android and merging them into one tiny, productivity-focused computer.
Jide Tech was formed by three ex-Google engineers. Remix began in 2013 when the trio noticed that more could be done to blend desktop and mobile operating systems together. They set out to combine Android’s thriving app ecosystem and low memory usage with the established might of Windows multitasking and power.
The result is a unique and attractive product. The Remix tablet was received exceptionally well and quickly found funding. The Remix Mini has done even better. As of writing this article, over 5,200 backers have pledged over $335,000 with 43 days of the campaign left to go. The team had been looking for just $50,000.
The Remix Mini could be the perfect choice for people who want to be able to engage in true multitasking on a large monitor but without buying an expensive, noisy and large computer. For just $30, you get tiny, silent computing and all of the apps of Android.
You can buy with a $10 reduction — bringing the price down to $20 and $40 for the 1GB and 2GB models respectively — if you pledge support for the Kickstarter campaign, making the offer even more attractive.