Is The Rikomagic MK802 IV Android Mini PC Good?

The Rikomagic MK802 IV is the latest Android based Mini PC offered by RKM.  The device is slightly larger than a USB thumb drive (it has an HDMI connection), yet it can transform your High Definition TV into a powerful Android computer, running Jelly Bean.

When I got my new 50” flat screen tv, I thought it would be great to make it an Internet connected Media center.  Previously, I have used the WD TV-Live, and I love it, but wanted something more powerful and more customizable.   I decided to look at my options.   Initially, I was going to go a with windows based mini-pc, but to get what I wanted, I would end up paying a minimum of about $500, after upgrading a barebone micro atx mini pc.

After looking at my options and talking to another Techie friend ( us geeks seem to hang a lot together ), my friend bought this great Rikomagic dongle based pc that was a little bigger than a USB Key.   He purchased the Rikomagic MK802IIIs, which is the predecessor to the unit I eventually purchased.   When he showed me the unit, his is Dual Core, I was amazed how great this little device was!   While not perfect, it had plenty of power, Jelly Bean Android OS along with extra apps, most of which are free, that he got from the Google Play store.   I was already familiar with this, as my phone is Android, so the learning curve is next to nonexistent.

The Rikomagic MK802 IV
The Rikomagic MK802 IV is slightly larger than a USB thumb drive.

When the MK802 IV came out, it was a no brainer that I would be destined to own it.   I purchased it with some birthday money, and watched the mail every day for its delivery.   I LOVE new tech…  It is silent!  I love the fanless pc concept.   It is green and low power, too.

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Rikomagic MK802iv
Rikomagic MK802iv

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The Rikomagic MK902 Android Mini PC
MK802iv MK802iv

After reading some reviews, I purchased it.    Some folks were describing WIFI issues, but I did not experience them.   From what I am told, the issue is easy to fix, but I didn’t have the issue.   Perhaps the early models had it, but the company fixed it with recent production models? I don’t know.  For what it is worth, I am using a Netgear Wirless Router.   The router is upstairs, and the TV with the Rikomagic is downstairs.

* 7/2014 Update:  The WIFI issue was on the early version of the MK802iv.   This issue was resolved last year in production runs.  There is also a MK802iv Firmware Update that also improves WIFI even more!

Here is what I love about it:

  • It is Very fast! – Quad Core Rockchip is amazing.
  • There are no moving parts or fans, so it is quiet
  • It is small – slightly larger than a thumb drive – a compact pc
  • It is Android Jelly Bean –  Lots and Lots of Free Apps!
    • Android Version 4.2.2 installed
  • You can browse the web, watch YouTube, Skype, watch videos, email all on your TV.  Although it will not make your TV a touch screen, for me it is kind of like having a 50” Android based IPad!
  • You can play your music on it, and if your TV is connected to your stereo, you can blast your tunes.
  • For you techy folks, It is ROOTED out of the box!   Yay!
  • It comes with a Realtek WiFi Chipset, which is probably one of the best in the industry, at the time of this writing.

Here are the cons:

  • You can’t run Microsoft Windows apps on it.
    • You may be able to get apps that read and write files compatible with Microsoft Office files.   For instance, you can’t run Microsoft Office, but you can download apps that read and write Office files.   Kind of like Office lite!
    • If you are familiar with the IPhone or IPad, while this is similar, it is not the same.   It is an Android OS.
    • The largest Micro SD card it takes is 32 GB.  Not really a problem.  You can store lots of music on it, but if you want to store video on it, you may be limited to the amount of videos.
      • Not a problem for me, as I can access videos stored on my NAS over the wireless network, using the Rikomagic MK802 IV.
    • Early versions of the MK802iv had a WiFi Antenna placement issue, where the WiFi Reception was weak.    This problem has since been fixed by the vendor.   My Rikomagic MK802iv did not have any WiFi issues, and the WiFi worked about the same as my Windows Lenovo PC and Samsung Cellphone.
      • If you happen to have an older version of the MK802 IV, the fix is very easy to do.

All in all, while it is not perfect, it is by far the best mini pc for the dollar.  So, here are the specs for your reading pleasure:

The specs for the Rikomagic MK802 IV are:

  • CPU: Rockchip RK3188 quad core Cortex A9 (Yes, I said Quad CORE!)
  • GPUS: Mali-400MP4
  • System Memory – 2GB DDR3
  • OS: Android 4.2 OS
  • Storage – 8 GB internal flash (Or I will show you how to get 16 GB)
  • micro SD slot (up to 32GB)
  • Bluetooth: Build-in
  •  Connectivity – Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
  • Video Codecs – VP8, AVS, MJPEG, RV8/9/10, H.263, H.264, VC-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DIVX
  • Video Container Formats – AVI, RM, RMVB, PMP, FLV, MP4, M4V, VOB, WMV, 3GP, MKV, ASF, 3G2M4V.
  • Audio Codecs/Formats – MP1/2/3, WMA, OGG, AAC, M4A, FLAC, APE, AMR, RA, WAV.
  • USB – 1x USB Host 2.0, 1x micro USB for power, 1x USB OTG

The way this Android micro pc works is that you simply plug it directly into your TV’s HDMI Port.  Next, you connect a mouse and keyboard and you are up and running.   It is easy to connect to your WIFI network and Viola Instant Internet connected Smart TV!