Interesting possibility of using low-cost Android TV boxes as low-cost mini PC boxes with Ubuntu MATE Linux OS

Last updated on 9th Aug. 2022

Readers may want to see: List of my posts related to Thinvent Micro 5, a low-cost Linux mini PC based on Tanix TX 3 Android TV box, https://ravisiyermisc.blogspot.com/2022/08/list-of-my-posts-related-to-thinvent.html , 8th Aug. 2022

Android TV boxes having Quad-core CPU like ARM Cortex A53, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARM_Cortex-A53 and SoC like Amlogic S905X,  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amlogic#Media_player_SoCs_(S9_family) are currently Rs.2700 odd for 2 GB RAM and 16 GB flash storage, and Rs.4500 odd for 4 GB RAM and 32 or 64 GB flash storage on amazon.in for somewhat noted brands (almost all, if not all, Chinese brands) with typically 3 month warranty from Indian seller/importer and NOT original product manufacturer (so quality of support may not be great).

To put together the mini PC which could be used as reasonable performance (not great performance) mini computer for teaching Linux computer & Internet usage and also used for online classes, in rural schools not having a regular desktop computer/Laptop, the following will need to be added to the mini PC box:

1) Low-cost 15 inch monitor (with HDMI connector)

2) USB keyboard & mouse

3) USB webcam

4) USB headphone set

5) mini UPS

The following May 2017 video explains in a simple and clear way how one should go about installing Ubuntu MATE on an Android TV box (in the video case, an Amlogic box S905/S905X, but which could be different for some other Android TV box): How to install Ubuntu onto (US) $40 Android box, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7nz00WggYc , around 12 mins, published on 17th May 2017 by Ronnie Bailey.

I should add that I am working on detailed posts about my recent experience of using one such Android box converted to Linux mini PC box with 2 GB RAM and 16 GB flash disk, sold by an Indian company for less than Rs.3000 - Thinvent Micro 5, https://www.thinvent.in/catalog/micro-5-mini-pc/ . Thinvent has already installed their version of Linux (based on Ubuntu, I think) on the box, which is a limited Linux version meant to be used as Thin Client but could also work as standalone mini PC. So I did not have to do any Linux installation work on the Micro 5. Note that on shutdown of the Micro 5, most of the time, TX 3 mini logo is shown. This indicates that the Micro 5 box originally was, or seems to have been, Tanix TX3 Android TV box, http://www.tanix-box.com/project-view/tanix-tx3-mini-powered-amlogic-s905w-tv-box-android-7/ . 

I need to get some more information and do some more documentation work before I will be ready to publish the detailed posts mentioned earlier.

Note that this post has been composed on the above mentioned Micro 5 based mini PC. My regular desktop computer's motherboard is under repair and so instead of desktop CPU box I am using Micro 5 box.

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8th Aug. 2022 Update:

Readers may be interested to view my related post: Review of below Rs.3000 (US$ 40) Micro 5 Linux Mini PC box w ARM Quad-core, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, HDMI, USB 2.0, used for Internet browsing, Libre Office and more w 21.5 in. LCD monitor,  https://ravisiyermisc.blogspot.com/2021/12/below-rs3000-us-40-micro-5-linux-mini.html , 13th Dec. 2021.