There are a handful of inexpensive TV sticks with Rockchip RK3066 dual core processors available for around $50 to $70. While they’re designed to run Android apps on a TV, they can also run other operating systems. Now the first Ubuntu Linux-based OS is available for RK3066 mini computers including the MK808 and UG802.

It’s called PicUntu, and it’s available for download from Google Code.

PicUntu

These little sticks typically feature 1GB of RAM, up to 8GB of storage, microSD card slots, USB ports, and HDMI output. Since PicUntu is written specifically for these devices, it’s a light-weight operating system available as a 110MB download.

It also includes WiFi drivers for the UG802 and MK808, and support for additional devices could be added in future versions.

What you won’t find is hardware graphics acceleration. In other words, you can perform most basic computing tasks in PicUntu, but 3D video games and HD video support is minimal.

PicUntu is based on Ubuntu 12.10 supports screen resolutions up to 1920 x 1080 pixels, and supports WiFi, Ethernet, audio, and other core functions.

Once you’ve installed PicUntu using the 110MB base system, you can choose additional software to either use your device as a server or a full desktop-style computer. Available pacakges including Apache, Samba, Joomla, Flash, Java, and desktop environments including Xfce and GNOME.

You can find instructions for installing PicUntu at Google Code. Note that you’ll need access to a computer running Linux to complete the process — which probably isn’t a problem if you’re the sort of person that really wants to install a custom Linux distro on an MK808 mini PC. The developers are also working on tools that will eventually let you install PicUntu using a Windows PC.

PicUntu was built by many of the folks who did the initial work of porting Ubuntu to run on RK3066 devices.

You can read more about the project at the SlateDroid and ArmTvTech forums.

thanks bourgeoa!

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15 replies on “PicUntu brings light-weight Linux to RK3066 mini PCs (MK808, UG802, etc)”

  1. Has anyone tested this with the Atrix Lapdock the website says 1920×1080 required but I am really looking to make my lapdock/mk808 into a basic computer…

    1. The Atrix and Bionic Lapdocks are a 11.6″ 1366×768 screen, so you will have to adjust it accordingly. Nice thing though is that the Lapdock screens do not overscan so it will take up the entire screen! (ie: not cutting off part of the screen like your TV might.)

  2. Can u set it up as a Linux nas server using picuntu? What about xbmc server?

  3. As soon as one of these sticks has real hardware acceleration come back to this site and watch the excitement. Until then there is only a wiff of the hobbyists fancy about these releases.

  4. why O why cant the linux ‘camp’ (or the Mfgs. themselves) get X11 acceleration working on these sticks (cotton candy mk802 etc etc)…

  5. “You need Linux OS – to be able to format, mount and copy the files.
    Coming soon: We are working on getting an image of Windows system ready. Stand by.
    You will need Windows OS, to be able to flash the kernel image. If your kernel is already flashed with recovery image, you do NOT need Windows.”
    So currently people who haven’t yet flashed their kernel image with Linux need Windows? & this won’t change?

  6. I have Ubuntu server installed on my Mk808 and it’s working super good. They did a super job. It’s fast too. Been looking for a cheep low power fast ARM server for years. It’s here now. Love that can run Ubuntu server on it.

    1. Hi Raymond.
      Awesome.
      Have You try Ubuntu server 12.04 on 5A modular PC from Xi3? or Do You know someone who does?

  7. Can’t help feeling this one may have issues with its name and safe searching etc

  8. With Ubuntu, these little sticks can really be useful as micro-servers for the home.

    It is a pity that Android media players and hw accelerated video players are not available on Ubuntu.

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