Bay trail VS Allwinner - Android General

Hello people,
I'm interested in buying a CHEAP tablet that I would probably spend more time messing with it's OS than actually using it. That means good linux support is a top priority for me and good android support a seconds priority.
Of all the cheap tablets that support both android and linux (windows support is irrelevant for me) I've seen that the main difference is the SoC: Allwinner (usually A33) vs Intel Bay Trail (usually Z3735F).
My question is: Of those two, which one has the best support for linux and android on a tablet? All other factors are similar enough to not matter, so it boils down to just the SoC.
My impression is that the Atom has quite an advantage because it's GPU is well supported in linux, but I have the impression that most of other (specially power-saving related) stuff is better on allwinner, but I'm not really sure.
About android I know nothing, so any comments on what I should expect are welcome.
Thanks for any help!

Related

ViewPad 10Pro

Found this very interesting article on gsmarena about an upcoming tablet by Viewsonic... I never thought it was possible but dual booting Windows 7 and Android 2.2+ ? What does this mean for our Gtab? your thoughts?
http://blog.gsmarena.com/viewsonic-unveils-dual-sim-v350-phone-and-dual-boot-viewpad-10pro/
**I hope that our Gtab would live on even after all these radical tablet advances for 2011.
Intel CPU. For Android, it must be compiled for that CPU I assume - but since so many apps are ARM-based it might limit its usefulness.
atom cpu = crap battery life for this type of device. About the same as a netbook, 3.5 hrs or so compared to 10+ hrs of ARM based tegra2 in gtabs. Plus win7 on an atom performance would probably be pretty low. Not worth it.
s14tam said:
atom cpu = crap battery life for this type of device. About the same as a netbook, 3.5 hrs or so compared to 10+ hrs of ARM based tegra2 in gtabs. Plus win7 on an atom performance would probably be pretty low. Not worth it.
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this i agree on... kinda funny how, in the article, viewsonic stated that the battery life will "last at least 6 hours"... with day-to-day use that might translate to about 3-4 hours tops just hope that Gtab support by viewsonic (however little it may be) won't be discontinued just cuz they have a new toy to market now...
Inclined to also agree but must say that the atom cpu on my HP2140 netbook running win7 Pro isn't the slowest turtle in the race. Extended battery gives me about 5-6 hrs. Wouldn't expect that life on a tab though.
Recently, I've been doing some testing of Android X86, and their FAQ mentions that some Apps may work, while others, that use native ARM code, won't. I know that that's probably pretty obvious, but it seems like VS should caution potential users about that, or they'll get a bunch of unhappy users when they can't run all Android Alps.
Jim
Nah this isnt a run of the mill Atom. Its the one they made after Moorestown to fight these ARM tabs. Oak trail is an SOC much like Tegra. Its supposed to have super low TDP and pull off ARM like battery life. Since desktop apps tend to be more demanding, this remains to be seen.
I don't think they said it will have full market ability stock anyways so people can't really complain if it can't run all apps.
Also, doubt any x86 proc can match an ARM chip in battery even if it is a SOC. Viewsonics page even seems to confirm this as it says it is rated for 4hrs.
At work, we're starting to talk with Microsoft about ARM versions of Windows. I've tossed my name into the hat as a developer. I suspect I won't be able to use my G-Tablet but will forced to get some other Windows ARM device.
So far Microsoft is keeping things fairly quiet on the ARM front. I expect to find out more in the next several months.
Sent from my G-Tablet running Vega-Nb5.1
Unlike the first Viewpad 10 you don't have to reboot to switch between Android and Windows. Here's a video:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/viewsonic-viewpad-10pro-hands-on/

Amazon tablet "with Intel innards"

http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/08/26/7485225-is-this-what-amazons-tablet-will-look-like
The news today is that Amazon will soon be selling a new Android powered tablet at a very attractive price. According to this... http://www.technobuffalo.com/technobuffalo/opinion/noahs-top-5-gadgets-coming-soon/ "Amazon’s tablet computer will run Android but feature Intel-based innards, and not an Nvidia Tegra processor"
Forgive my ignorance, but are there any devices shipping right now running Android on an Intel platform? What do those that know much more than me about the subject think an Intel powered Android tablet means to XDA?
good price,i am looking forward to see it。
Spyvie said:
Forgive my ignorance, but are there any devices shipping right now running Android on an Intel platform?
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Click to collapse
There is no "Intel" platform. There's ARM and x86 and MIPS, and a few others. PCs (including Macs) use x86, phones and tablets like iPad and Android-based ones are ARM, routers are usually MIPS.
If this Amazon tablet will have Intel-innards, it probably means Atom processor, which means the first Android tablet using x86 instead of ARM (Atom is a x86 processor).
Spyvie said:
What do those that know much more than me about the subject think an Intel powered Android tablet means to XDA?
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Main thing, a much higher possibility to be able to run a traditional Linux distro on it. Beyond that, we'll have to see.
Hmm.. I'd rather see an arm cortex-a9. Arm seems to work really well in phones and tablets and the arm9 is just as fast as the intel if I remember correctly.
sk8aseth said:
Hmm.. I'd rather see an arm cortex-a9. Arm seems to work really well in phones and tablets and the arm9 is just as fast as the intel if I remember correctly.
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It is clock per clock but intel processors scale higher
I thought intel mobile platform running honeycomb wasn't performing too well last i heard. Battery life is a huge concern too
sk8aseth said:
Hmm.. I'd rather see an arm cortex-a9. Arm seems to work really well in phones and tablets and the arm9 is just as fast as the intel if I remember correctly.
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At lower clocks yes, but as mentioned before, once you start increasing the power usage and clocks, that's when arm can't keep up and when x86 shines. ARM is normally only more powerful than x86 CPUs while the tdp is under 1 watt, which is the case for most mobile devices. However try scaling an arm CPU to over 125 watts (average x86 tdp) and the scaling is horrible. They are two different platforms built for two different reasons. BUT what I'm thinking Intel is doing here is that they are going to maybe try and muscle their way into the ARM market. With the announcement that windows 8 will support ARM, I think this chip will be their "test" run. If they do get into the market, it will open up an entire new horizon for them (hope that sounds right). This would especially help with the ultrabook concept they are working on.
Do the Android netbooks run x86?
Sent from my Galaxy Tab using Tapatalk
rustyshack3 said:
Do the Android netbooks run x86?
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The one netbook with Android I saw a while ago was x86, yes. It was a dual-boot Android/Windows machine. Though Android on a netbook makes no sense. None whatsoever.
However, there are ARM-based Android netbooks too, like the Toshiba AC100.
dreadlord369 said:
At lower clocks yes, but as mentioned before, once you start increasing the power usage and clocks, that's when arm can't keep up and when x86 shines. ARM is normally only more powerful than x86 CPUs while the tdp is under 1 watt, which is the case for most mobile devices. However try scaling an arm CPU to over 125 watts (average x86 tdp) and the scaling is horrible. They are two different platforms built for two different reasons. BUT what I'm thinking Intel is doing here is that they are going to maybe try and muscle their way into the ARM market. With the announcement that windows 8 will support ARM, I think this chip will be their "test" run. If they do get into the market, it will open up an entire new horizon for them (hope that sounds right). This would especially help with the ultrabook concept they are working on.
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Click to collapse
You can actually thank apple for lighting a fire under intel for the mobile platform when they told them that their processor isn't cutting it and that they will use ARM based processors in their laptop.
For whatever the reason, apple is burning a lot of bridges and somewhat putting all of their egg in one basket before confirming that TSMC's yield is good enough to meet their demands
ph00ny said:
You can actually thank apple for lighting a fire under intel for the mobile platform when they told them that their processor isn't cutting it and that they will use ARM based processors in their laptop.
For whatever the reason, apple is burning a lot of bridges and somewhat putting all of their egg in one basket before confirming that TSMC's yield is good enough to meet their demands
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Click to collapse
Yea I actually remember reading about that. I believe that they mentioned that their next gen would use ARM based CPU's or is my head making that up? Either way, this should help intel in the long run (if their ARM line is successful). Yea and they did the same thing with Samsung, they stopped using their chips and parts. I'm guessing they want to make everything in-house, I don't know how that's gonna work out, but hey, they will probably pull through judging from past actions and events.
EDIT: I realized something, they don't want to keep everything in house, but rather, they don't want major competitors (such as samsung) making parts for them.
dreadlord369 said:
Yea I actually remember reading about that. I believe that they mentioned that their next gen would use ARM based CPU's or is my head making that up? Either way, this should help intel in the long run (if their ARM line is successful). Yea and they did the same thing with Samsung, they stopped using their chips and parts. I'm guessing they want to make everything in-house, I don't know how that's gonna work out, but hey, they will probably pull through judging from past actions and events.
EDIT: I realized something, they don't want to keep everything in house, but rather, they don't want major competitors (such as samsung) making parts for them.
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Click to collapse
I don't think Intel is going to build an ARM processor instead focus heavily on power efficiency on their current low power processor variants. Remember that ultrabook will utilized various Core I processors
As for apple, as said many times before. They do not make anything in house.
ph00ny said:
I don't think Intel is going to build an ARM processor instead focus heavily on power efficiency on their current low power processor variants. Remember that ultrabook will utilized various Core I processors
As for apple, as said many times before. They do not make anything in house.
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About the in house part yea I realized and corrected that with the edit. My bad. But for the ultrabooks, you're right, I forgot that they are going to use the Core i variants. But while you may be right and that intel might be releasing an ultra efficient atom architecture, I dunno, I still think that a move into the ARM market would be a smart move for them.

Is anyone using those cheapie Android computers-on-a-stick for general computing?

I've been wanting to buy something like this or this (which is not technically on a stick...) for a while now. When they all had Allwinner A10s I waited for better hardware, but now that better hardware's here - the ones I linked have quadcore CPUs and two gigs of RAM - I think I've done enough waiting.
Right now I'm using my main box (quadcore gaming computer) for everything, but it's hardly efficient when I'm not actually gaming. My idea is to use the tiny-puter with my 27" 1080p screen for light-duty things; by this I mean browsing the net, watching youtube videos and so on.
The only doubt I have is that I don't really know how effective these things are in this role. I don't want to have to wait for the CPU to render webpages; I've had to endure enough of that on my ancient Atom netbook.
What's your experience in using Android sticks?
Nobody at all?

Dual OS Tablets - Android 4.x + Windows 8.1 - general discussion, problems, tweaks

There are already couple of dual boot - able operating systems (OS) tablets on the market especially the well-known Teclast tablets with their Air 3G, Air II, X10HD, X80h and I am sure they will update their entire range of tablets with Dual boot OS, perhaps the other chinese manufacturers, but that does not matter as Teclast is the very best chinese brand for tablets. (quality-wise)
In consequence, I have a couple questions/suggestions. I want to buy Teclast X80h over any other tablets because it is extremely cheap (119$), it is dual OS and it is high-quality as any other Teclast tablets (for such low price!).
1. Are there any bugs with the dual OS that come from the factory? Do I have to be aware of it in any way? There is also a single Windows 8.1 OS for 115$, so if it is a problem with the Dual-OS, then I can go for the simple version.
2. How's the experience with the Dual OS? Does both OS work flawless or is there sacrificed anything?
3. Can you single boot? For instance, if I want to run only Win8.1, can I just boot Win8.1 and if I want Android I just restart the tablet and choose Android?
4. How much space is left in the internal memory on a 32GB eMMC? (~approximately) - Just out of curiosity because I heard Teclast supports on Win8.1 microSD cards up to 128GB with no problem.
I know there are other threads especially on Air 3G tablet, but there are over 400 pages. I thought it would be easier to make a thread and those who had experience to share their opinion with us, those who are willing to buy Dual OS tablets.
For me, the Android version is not a must. I need the Windows mostly, but if there's a Dual OS version for 5$ more, why not get it. This is why I created the thread, so we the newbs get help. Any other discussion can be talked, I made this thread as a general discussion one, where people talk about ideas, tweaks, big deals, recommendations, ask for help etc
A very good tablet, but the system takes up more memory.
I want buy the Teclast x80h too. I'm waiting for the answers too!
I recently got the Teclast x98 Air II (without 3G, as I prefer to use my 4G mifi).
Overall, the build quality is excellent and the screen is very close to what you'd get on the iPad Air. The large 4:3 form factor also works better for tablets as I like surfing in portrait.
Dual boot works well, you just reboot and choose which OS you want to use. To switch, just shutdown and restart. The only thing I'd say is a problem will be the eMMC size of just 32gb. I have about 7gb free on each side of the system. You can partition a microSD with ext4 and use Link2SD on the android side, and move most things to the microSD on Windows. But if you use a lot of Windows Store apps, they can't be installed on removable media.
Performance is OK for most general tasks. Remember it's an Atom processor, so don't expect it to fly on 3D games. Not much of a gamer myself, so it doesn't matter much to me. I've thrown all sorts of videos at it and so far they all played pretty smoothly.
Teclast recently sorted out the Play Store bug with an update, so both sides of the system works as expected. I've experienced some freezes and thermal event message on Android, but they don't happen often and only when I was trying to play a 3D game.
I'd say get one with a larger screen if you plan on using Windows. The faster Z3736F processor on the X98 and X10HD can certainly be felt.
There is that Onda v891w that was released not so long ago for 25$ more than X80h. It is not Dual OS, it is only Windows 8.1, but it is a better alternative for X80h as far as specifications are concerned. I am more interested in Windows. In fact, I do not need the Android. I thought it was a bonus on X80h, but after all I wouldn't use it at all. Anyway, V891w has bigger 8.9" FULL HD IPS screen, the all the other specs are the same. But how reliable is Onda? I know that Teclast is a safe buy, but can anybody tell me about Onda's products? It is a relatively high-end tablet. Please owners of Onda provide some infos and experiences, problems etc
I've got my eye on the recently announced Onda V919 3G Air, it looks an exact copy of the teclast but with 64gb storage for about the same price. Their dual OS switching method looks a little more polished also... still I'll be waiting on reviews..
AfXv237 said:
There are already couple of dual boot - able operating systems (OS) tablets on the market especially the well-known Teclast tablets with their Air 3G, Air II, X10HD, X80h and I am sure they will update their entire range of tablets with Dual boot OS, perhaps the other chinese manufacturers, but that does not matter as Teclast is the very best chinese brand for tablets. (quality-wise)
In consequence, I have a couple questions/suggestions. I want to buy Teclast X80h over any other tablets because it is extremely cheap (119$), it is dual OS and it is high-quality as any other Teclast tablets (for such low price!).
1. Are there any bugs with the dual OS that come from the factory? Do I have to be aware of it in any way? There is also a single Windows 8.1 OS for 115$, so if it is a problem with the Dual-OS, then I can go for the simple version.
Reply on X98 Air 3G Dual: All major bugs were resolved with an OTA update on 20141225. The hardware issue still remains for some batches. System crash on playing GPU intensive 3D games. but this is not specific to Dual Boot models. It appears in all. There is n fix yet. But you may avoid this by buying it from Authorized seller on AliExpress. They confirmed that fresh batches don't have this issue.
2. How's the experience with the Dual OS? Does both OS work flawless or is there sacrificed anything?
Reply: It works great. Nothing is sacrificed except for the Disk space used by each OS.
3. Can you single boot? For instance, if I want to run only Win8.1, can I just boot Win8.1 and if I want Android I just restart the tablet and choose Android?
Reply: Yes, you can single boot. The information "switch with button at bottom" is not true because both OS runs separately never simultaneously.
4. How much space is left in the internal memory on a 32GB eMMC? (~approximately) - Just out of curiosity because I heard Teclast supports on Win8.1 microSD cards up to 128GB with no problem.
Reply: Check the attachments of this post.
I know there are other threads especially on Air 3G tablet, but there are over 400 pages. I thought it would be easier to make a thread and those who had experience to share their opinion with us, those who are willing to buy Dual OS tablets.
For me, the Android version is not a must. I need the Windows mostly, but if there's a Dual OS version for 5$ more, why not get it. This is why I created the thread, so we the newbs get help. Any other discussion can be talked, I made this thread as a general discussion one, where people talk about ideas, tweaks, big deals, recommendations, ask for help etc
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Click to collapse
You may think that Android and 3G are not must, but soon you may have to change this opinion when you run into a situation like you are outside at a place with poor wifi or a special offer running on just Android apps !!
That's just my opinion.
The main drawback with dual OS is the storage space. So in that way, ONDA 919 Dual Boot is better, but we don't know how it fares in other areas. Like it has a 6000mAh battery which is sure to fail you.
The 9.7 inch models gives you an edge because they have Intel Z3736F which turbo boosts to 2.16 GHz.
smartchip said:
I recently got the Teclast x98 Air II.
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Click to collapse
Hi,
Does the usb behave like on PC?
Can you plug USB powered hub and connect: Mouse, keyboard, usb printer , and all working ?
Tnx in advance.
brajomobil said:
Hi,
Does the usb behave like on PC?
Can you plug USB powered hub and connect: Mouse, keyboard, usb printer , and all working ?
Tnx in advance.
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Click to collapse
YEs you can. Check videos on youtube. There are lots of them. You can charge it, use keyboard,mouse and whatever you want simultaneously with a OTG cable and a USB port hub. I recommend you a 3.0 one with at least 4 usb ports.
After reading many reviews, I think i'll be purchasing one aswell. I can live with the limited storage as I'd be mainly using it for office, reading, occasional movie watching and writing notes. If you are going to buy, MAKE SURE you buy it from the authorized seller as other sellers may have older models which contains the bugs and glitches. It may be a few dollars more expensive but is worth it to not have the troubles.
Aside from this, a question I want to ask is that is there any warranty at all for international buyers -- I'm in Canada.
There seems to be a misconception whether or not the X98 both 3g non 3g models have gps or not. Can anyone clarify this?
AfXv237 said:
YEs you can. Check videos on youtube. There are lots of them. You can charge it, use keyboard,mouse and whatever you want simultaneously with a OTG cable and a USB port hub. I recommend you a 3.0 one with at least 4 usb ports.
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Click to collapse
Thank you very much. Do you know is it possible to install win8.1 x86 over UEFI. I have found only x64 tutorials. I need x86 windows.
brajomobil said:
Thank you very much. Do you know is it possible to install win8.1 x86 over UEFI. I have found only x64 tutorials. I need x86 windows.
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Click to collapse
Can't really answer that. Ask the user Hendrickson. He's the master. He'll give you any info you want.
AfXv237 said:
Can't really answer that. Ask the user Hendrickson. He's the master. He'll give you any info you want.
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Click to collapse
Thank you. I have spent 4 days searching the internet and fiddling with virtual machines and UEFI boot. And this is the conclusion !
You can't install or boot x86 vhd machine on x64 cpu with UEFI x64
With bios boot you can have x86 and x64 machines. Too bad this tablet don't have legacy boot

Desktop os supported phones

Hi guys,
I couldn't find searching but is there any smartphone yet that support full desktop os? like Linux mint or windows 7?
or may be a list of such phones!!
I mean now that we have tons of phone with high configurations like Snapdragon 800 based phone (2.2 GHz quad core cpu, 2GB ram, 32GB rom). installing desktop os should be just matter of someone to figures out boot-loader properly. if ARM architecture is a problem, then we have tons of phone with x86 based cpu as well. (like Asus ZenFone 5 or 6 with Intel Z2580) these cups supports full x86 instruction set MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3 and all that.
the reason i'm looking for is, to use it as Single Board Computer. I mean a cellphone is much painless to to carry then a HummingBoard or Banana Pi box. there are bunch of commercial Single Board Computer that comes with desktop os it like "utilite2" but none of them are as slick and stylist as a modern cellphone! plus phone has its own power source and cellular wireless. and not mention its own display for the case when i'm unable to find a monitor.
so any suggestion?
thanks
BTW, each forum (including device forums) has a Q&A/Help/Troubleshooting section where questions should be asked. I expect a mod to move this one here soon.

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