Having just found the most helpful post on this site about upgrading the Linx 7 to Windows 10 and the HP drivers, I thought I would share some info on another Bay Trail machine.
This one is the Wintel CX-W8.
While it’s not a tablet, it does share a similar processor with the Linx 7. The W8 is a Mini PC, and when I say Mini, it’s a proper Mini. The machine itself is the exact same size as an Apple TV 3. It has 2GB RAM and a 32GB eMMC drive, 2x USB2, MicroSD, full size HDMI, 100Mb NIC and an audio out. It’s is also available with a 64GB Samsung eMMC.
There are a number of variations around eBay, but you have to be careful. I’ve read that some people have bought them and found that the Win 8.1 install wasn’t permanent. I bought mine from a UK seller for £68, it come with a full 8.1 license that upgraded to 10 Pro. As with all the Z3735 processors, it’s only 32 Bit under Windows and I think 64 Bit under Linux minus the on board audio driver. But 32 Bit Windows isn’t an issue for such a device.
I’ve been using one for a month now under 10, and it’s simply awesome. Just like the Linx, it’s very snappy, maybe a bit snappier, and perfect for day to day computer use and audio/video playback. I use mine as a Plex server and it’s able to live transcode 1080 MP4 files to lower resolutions. It’s also a superb Kodi client, something I will be trying soon with the Linx.
While the 100Mb NIC makes it a bit limited as a data server, although aside from speed it’s a brilliant little server. The LAN speed doesn’t come into it when serving streamed video/audio, as their bitrates are well below the 100Mb of the NIC. Astonishingly, it will play 4K YouTube streams and down convert to 1080, although not via Chrome but surprisingly via Edge. It may even play standard frame rate 4K to a 4K/UHD TV natively, but I don’t have a UHD TV to test this with.
Basically, for anyone into low power drawing Mini PCs, you may want to give it a look.
Cheers,
Dave.