2013: Quad Core Android Mini PCs and Tablets

2013: Quad Core Android Mini PCs and Tablets

The RK3188 Rockchip Quad-Core Processor is set to replace 2012’s model, the RK3066 dual-core processor which was used in many popular low cost China tablets and Mini PC sticks like the MK808. It is now available in a few tablet models and is expected to make its appearance in mini PC computers soon.

Chipset Performance

The Rockchip RK3188 processor is a quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 chip is fast. It performs at least as well in most performance tests as Samsung’s Exynos 4412 quad-core chip and better than NVIDIA’s Tegra 3.

rk3188 benchmark

In the chart above, note that the Ramos W42 tablet has an Exynos 4412 chip, while the Asus MeMO Pad ME301T and Google Nexus 7 both have NVIDIA Tegra 3 processors. While these tests aren’t always indicative of real world performance, the benchmark numbers don’t lie, it has more computing power and is a good approximation towards a real world comparison. The RK3188 is fast.

Tablets & Mini PCs featuring the RK3188

  1. The Cube U30GT is one of the first Android tablets to ship with a Rockchip RK3188 quad-core processor, which makes it one of the fastest Chinese tablets available to date. The Cube U30GT2 features a fullHD 1920×1080 screen, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of built-in storage, micro USB and micro HDMI ports, and a microSD card slot. It has a 2MP camera on the front and a 5MP camera on the back with auto-focus and an LED flash. The tablet runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean software. Retails for US$282.
    Cube-U30GT2-1
  2. The Pipo M9 tablet has been selling for awhile now and is another RK3188 10.1″ tablet albeit with slightly lower specs, 1280×800 screen and 16gb storage. Retails for about US$220.
    pipo m9
  3. The MK802 IV (successor to the first Android Mini PC MK802) will feature a Rockchip RK3188 ARM Cortex-A9 quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM. Planned availability from April onwards, and it is expected to ship with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, offering Google’s latest software.
    mk802 iv
  4. The Tronsmart T428 Quad Core Mini PC Android 4.2 Rockchip RK3188 device features similar specs and is expected to have the same internals as the MK802 IV. It is available for pre-order from GeekBuying at US$99 (inclusive of free shipping).
    tsmart428