The makers of last year’s unusual Gole1 mini PC are back, this time with a model featuring a larger screen and a bigger battery.
It’s called the Gole1 Plus, and like the earlier model, it’s basically a small desktop computer with a touchscreen display… or a chunky tablet that you can also use as a desktop.
The Gole1 Plus should be available soon for about $200.
The new model has an 8 inch, 1280 x 800 pixel touchscreen IPS display and the computer measures about 7.8″ x 5.4″ x 1.1.”
It has an Intel Atom x5-Z8350 quad-core processor (a slight spec bump from the x5-Z8300 chip in the smaller model), 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage.
There’s a 5,000 6,000 mAh battery which should allow you to use the Gole1 Plus like a portable tablet-style device, or at least to unplug it and carry it around without shutting down the computer.
There’s an HDMI port, a USB 3.0 port, and built-in 802.11b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0. There’s also a microSD card slot, and some models of the Gole1 Plus may be come with 128GB of built-in storage.
Some of the specs are a bit unclear. According to a product sheet sent to MiniPC DB, there are also two USB 2.0 ports, but a listing on a wholesale website says the Gole1 Plus has three USB 2.0 ports and a micro USB port.
I have the original Gole1. I use the device in my truck with velcro to the dash. My non-rooted high-end android phone plugs into the usb port of the Gole1. The usb port on the Gole1 accomplishes two things. Keeps my phone charged and dishes out IP addresses using pdanet and connectify software installed on the Gole1 thru the windows OS side. Anyone traveling with me can now use wifi with a pc or wifi only tablet (portable tethering). Many of my friends and relatives live in small towns or out in the country. Now I have a very portable computer to share videos with on the TV, both on the android phone and over the internet in their homes, when I visit.
The main reason Gole includes a screen on these is not to be innovative, but because Microsoft will supply manufacturers with free copies of Windows for devices that include sub 10 inch touch screens, and once you include one of those, you might aswell go ahead and add a battery too.
So what you’re really getting is 2 extra pieces of hardware thrown into your mini PC, that cost less than 30 dollars to add for the sole purpose of saving that amount on a legit copy of Windows.
This is why I think Microsoft is doomed in the IoT market. What they need to do is provide a tiny form-factor reference model for x86 SOC machines that can run something like a headless WinCE or rewarmed Win9x costing OEMs very little. But they won’t do that because (a.) .Net can’t survive meaningfully within such an ecosystem and (b.) they want to push the developer-despised WinRT subsystem. So they’re doomed.
Gole1 Plus has only two USB 2.0 ports and no micro-USB (unlike Gole1).
You can check the Gole1 Plus article on MiniPCDB.com, I’ve outlined the differences between the two models.
https://www.minipcdb.com/artic…
IMO this should have been named differently, it’s totally different than Gole1, and not an upgrade as the name suggests.
I saw the specs on your site, but they don’t match the specs on the page I linked to. Since you don’t provide a link to your source, I’m inclined to believe the wholesale site.
yes, that page made me delay the post for a while until the updated specs came along, because I couldn’t see the third USB 2.0 port in the pictures. 🙂
I also saw 6000 mAh mentioned in one of the early specs sheet.
yep, the 6000 mAh battery is now confirmed 🙂
I can see the utility of this type of mini PC as a controller with a built in screen — perhaps in some industrial or commercial setting where the box can be secured to a wall, or something. But in the home, I think its already been superseded by a combination of speech-enabled routers and mobile devices where you can operate you media-centers and home automation devices from the comfort of your armchair (or from hundreds of miles away).
As the winner of the giveaway contest for the original GOLE 1 review model I’ve had plenty of time to play with it, and it is a constant challenge to keep operating. It is a niche product that tries to do many things and does them all poorly. The model I was given is a prototype and not the final production model but online reviews tell of similar experiences, https://plus.google.com/commun….
In spite of its faults other owners seem to share my love and affection for this awkward device. Many of the problems the original GOLE 1 has comes from its dual boot Windows 10/Android operating systems, which isn’t mentioned in the article, (Brad, does the GOLE 1 Plus come with dual boot Windows 10/Android operating systems?) Also the device was designed to be modular and stackable. You were suppose to be able to purchase a larger battery, additional storage or even a pico projector and I’m still waiting for these add-ons.
My love for this device is due to its many ports and its portability. It’s like a swiss army knife. I was given it for free so I’ve taken chances with it that I wouldn’t normally do with a new of piece of equipment. I have attached it to just about every device I own. Old monitor, tv, printer, bluetooth, speaker and anything designed to be pluggd in by usb. I am constantly finding new uses for it. An android media center, home PC running Windows programs, torrent server and I’ve even booted Linux from a SD card.
I cannot tell you what the original GOLE 1 was meant to do. I can only tell you some of the things I’ve done with it. Swiss Army knives weren’t meant for art and crafts but can be used for that and more. As for the GOLE 1 Plus, better specs for the same price I can understand but only a bigger screen leaves me scratching my head.
Not sure about the dual boot situation in the new model, but glad to hear you’re still enjoying the Gole1!
It’s such a weird, yet intriguing little device, bugs and all 🙂
The specs page also confirms gigabit ethernet.
This is an ideal device for me, in theory…
Id really like a device like this to be a very lightweight headless file server. Pipo made several devices like this, but sadly never included gigabit ethernet.
The built in screen makes troubleshooting really easy. No remote desktop needed.
Unfortunately, for server duties (even very light duty) I don’t trust the RAM and storage in a cheap device like this. If it was sold barebones, it would be another story.
What’s the difference between this and a tablet except it has a couple more ports and the design of a 90’s cellphone?
Or the difference between this and a low level NUC, except it has a screen? 😉
It has a screen.
Did you mean battery?
The original GOLE 1 is a dual boot Windows 10 / Android device with a battery and built-in display.
Those extra ports give it a lot more versatility than a tablet. I think this is a mini desktop first and a tablet second. As for the chunky design, hopefully it helps with the cooling.
The only port difference between this and say a surface pro is the 3 USB ports, and I can get those with a dongle the size ofu phone charger. The cooling is irrelevant seeing as this using an atom processor that even my phone could probably keep cool. I’m
No. The cooling can be an issue. Even mobile SOCs can have thermal problems. I recall reading reviews claiming thermal issues in Atom devices including a mini pc like the Kangaroo.
As for the ports, having dedicated ports is simply easier and more versatile. Having separate ports for usb, hdmi and power avoids certain problems including needing a dongle, but also issues involving charging speed or whether the OS will allow charging and data through the same port.
Well, if the surface pro can handle the U processors, then I think something with like 3x less tdp won’t be an issue. And you’re telling me you would rather lug around a device that is like 3x heavier and thicker than a pocket sized USB hub?
Any CPU or SOC can be fanless with the right thermal solution and if money is not an issue. Snapdragon 810 was notorious for throttling. Snapdragon 61x series has a reputation for significant throttling, even with A53 cores. Galaxy S7 uses heat pipes. Shield TV has a fan. Shield K1 uses a magnesium thermal barrier. Core M at 4.5 watt tdp throttles in some applications and not others. The heat most certainly can be an issue, even in something like the Atoms. It’s more a matter of market segment than tdp. The cheap devices in which you’ll find the Atoms won’t have fancy thermal solutions like higher-end devices with SD820s, X1s or Core M or U series chips.
I’m telling you how dedicated ports can be useful, nothing more. I’ve run into certain shortcomings using an otg hub on a tablet. My use case is probably uncommon for various reasons. Such inconvenience probably varies from tablet to tablet as well. But you’re right that the Gole’s form factor limits it as a tablet. What this really is, as I said, is a mini PC or tv box, but it’s one that can also act as a tablet. I can see it being convenient for some people to be able to move around the house with a tv box that doesn’t always need the tv.
But you compare Surface and this. It’s like comparing, cabrio car and van. It’s different types of car – and here – devices. Compare price and capabilities. Surface will be far away behind. It’s not tablet – surface it’s a tablet.
It’s much smaller and lighter than most Windows tablets, as well as low cost. Yes there are some other 8″ Windows tablets, but those would be a better comparison than devices like a Surface Pro.