GOLE1 R Mini PC has RK3588 CPU and optional 5.5 inch touch screen and battery (crowdfunding)

Chinese PC maker HIGOLE has produced a tiny computer that blurs the lines between tablets and miniature desktops for years. But the company’s latest GOLE1 models are a bit different.

Whereas former members of the formation introduced Intel processors, the new GOLE1 R is a compact computer with a Rockchip RK3588 ARM processor, 8 GB of RAM, 128 GB of eMMC storage, a 5.5 inch touch screen and Android software. It’s up for pre-order via a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. But it’s also just one of two new models that HIGOLE is offering via Kickstarter.

While the GOLE1 R has a 5.5-inch screen and built-in battery, allowing you to use it as a small, chunky tablet, there’s also a GOLE1 RN that doesn’t have a screen or battery. Designed to be used as a mini-desktop rather than a portable device, it’s a bit cheaper than the GOLE1 R, but the stationary model has at least one advantage: it has an M.2 slot that you can use to add an SSD.

Both models feature LPDDR4 memory, eMMC storage, microSD card reader and full-size ports including:

• 1x Gigabit Ethernet
• 1 HDMI 2.1 output
• 1 HDMI 1.4 input
• 1 x USB Type-C (for power, DisplayPort or USB functionality)
• 4 USB 3.0 Type-A ports
• 1 x 3.5mm audio jack
• 1 x IR port for use with remote controls

The small computers also support WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 and come with Android 12 software, although HIGOLE notes that they do. not ship with the Google Play Store or other Google services. You should, however, be able to download apps. And the systems should also be compatible with Linux-based operating systems supporting the RK3588 processor.

The RK3588 processor is an octa-core chip with four 2.4GHz ARM Cortex-A76 processor cores, four 1.8GHz Cortex-A55 cores, Mali-G610 MP4 graphics, neural processing unit with up to to 6 TOP performance and 8K video support. proofreading.

But there are cheaper ways to get your hands on a desktop mini with this chip. The GOLE1 RN costs $300 during crowdfunding, while the GOLE1 R costs $353. But the FriendlyELEC NanoPi R6S single board computer with an RK3588S chip retails for just $119, and the pi orange 5 has the same processor and a starting price of just $69.

So I’m not particularly convinced that the GOLE1 RN is a very good deal. But the GOLE1 R might be slightly more appealing thanks to its tablet-like features, including a touchscreen, 2500mAh battery, mic, speaker, and G-sensor for auto screen rotation.

Going through NotebookCheck