The Gole1 I tested this summer is one of the most unusual computers I’ve tested in years. It’s basically a mini-desktop computer with a 5 inch display tacked onto the top and a small battery under the hood… or maybe it’s a thick tablet with full-sized ports and a tiny screen.
It’s not necessarily the best desktop or the best tablet you can buy. But it’s cheap and makes a neat toy if you can find a use for it.
Now Gole is launching a new computer called the Gole2 mini PC… and it’s a lot less interesting.
The Gole2 will be available first through an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign.
The Gole2 is a tiny desktop computer with a funny-looking aluminum case and a front-facing camera. But it lacks a display, so it’s not really that different from dozens of other models on the market.
There are a few things that differentiate the Gole2: there’s a 2,600 mAh battery in the case that lets the computer stay powered on even when it’s unplugged from a wall jack. And the system comes in two flavors: there’s a Windows model with an Intel Atom x5-Z8350 Cherry Trail processor and 4GB of RAM, and an Android model with an Allwinner A64 processor and 2GB of RAM.
Both versions feature 32GB of eMMC storage, HDMI 1.4 and headphone jacks, two USB 2.0 ports, 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, and 10/100 Ethernet. There’s room for a 2.5 inch drive inside the case if you want to add extra storage and there’s a microSD card slot for removable storage.
The Windows model also has a USB 3.0 port and both models have a mic, speaker, and a 5MP camera with a 90 degree wide-angle lens.
The Android model actually runs Phoenix OS, which is a custom version of Google’s mobile operating system designed to make the software feel more like a desktop OS.
During the crowfunding campaign, prices start at $69 for the GOLE2 with Phoenix OS and $114 for the Windows model. But those are early bird prices. They’re expected to sell for $99 and $144 respectively when the preview pricing is no longer available.
The computer should begin shipping in December.
via ARMDevices