There’s no shortage of tiny PC-like devices with ARM-based processors these days. But most feature the specs of a cheap tablet, at best. The Mi World Portable Computing System is a computer small enough to fit in your hand which has the guts of a high-end smartphone.

It’s designed to act as a portable computer, hot spot, media server, or gaming device and can work with your existing computers, tablets or other devices… or it can replace some of them.

Unfortunately not only does it have the power of a premium phone — it also has a price tag to match. The makers of the Mi World PCS are running an Indiegogo campaign to crowdfund the project, and you’ll have to pledge $599 to get your hands on one.

miworld pcs

The Mi World PCS features a 2.4 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, USB 3.0, micro HDMI output, and up to 30 hours of battery life for use on the go.

The $599 model features 64GB of solid state storage, but there are also higher-priced models with up to 512GB of hot swappable RAID storage.

Myth Innovations is the company responsible for the Mi World PCS, and the company says the device runs a custom version of Android. A custom Linux-based operating system is also due out this summer.

While Myth Innovations describes the Mi World as a portable computer, it doesn’t have a display so it’s not exactly a laptop or tablet replacement. But you could plug in an external display to access content on a big screen. Or you can load it up with apps, games, music, movies and photos and access your data using a laptop, tablet. Google Glass or other device over a WiFi or Bluetooth connection.

The company even plans to enable support for running Windows or OS X on the Mi World PCS using virtualization, allowing you to use the system like a full-fledged desktop PC with a desktop operating system.

The Mi World PCS may not be the cheapest ARM-based mini PC project, but it looks like one of the most ambitious.

via CNX Software

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10 replies on “Mi World Portable Computing System is a $599 phone-like PC replacement”

  1. I just don’t see it. It needs more to it, like a display or lower price tag.
    This should also cost $399 tops. The Nexus 5 has similar specs (albeit smaller storage), plus a screen and LTE access to boot. Even with more battery gusto, a backup battery unit plus a 32 GB Nexus 5 still costs less.
    Not to mention this sells for the same price as a Mac Mini.

  2. This would be nice if it cost about 50% of what they are saying.

  3. It’s the same price as a base Mac Mini. Honestly, I’d take the Mac.

    Let’s not mention the cheaper NUC-style devices that can run regular Windows or Linux.

  4. That is a lot of money for something that does not have a screen. Sure the specs are good but it has the same price as a top end smartphone.

    1. With screens so varied and taking up so much space, I’d rather it have a keyboard than a screen. A 5″ screen isn’t going to satisfy everyone if it could fit on it, and making a larger screen is going to increase real estate in the pocket. MicroHDMI or mini-DisplayPort is very little real estate. The problem with having a mini screen is it goes largely unused when there could be wireless monitors in the future with their own charging source. All I would add to this PC is a keyboard, and even that is hard to do although I wish more convertible tablets (Transformer, Yoga) were designed with the keyboard on the other side of the motherboard, not separate from the the “tablet” all-in-one. It would maximize versatility for the lifespan of the CPU’s performance. The keyboard could even have it’s own lid so it doesn’t need to be used or visible during non-use. I’ve yet to see one like this.

  5. Does it have gigabit Ethernet? It’d be useful when you’re using it a desktop Linux OS. Also, it could share it’s Ethernet connection instead of LTE via WiFi.

  6. “the device runs a custom version of Android. A custom Linux-based operating system is also due out this summer.”
    I wonder how long they’ll provide Linux kernel and OS updates. Many ARM boards out there are stuck on older kernels unless you don’t mind losing functionality to gain others in the new kernels.

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