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Technology

Hybrx hybrid PC combines Android functionality, PC productivity

Smartphones and tablets have stolen a lot of the thunder from PCs in recent years. But many consumers still feel the need to have a computer in addition to their mobile device, in large part because productivity functions including word processing are much easier to do on PCs. Convertibles offer a good hybrid solution, but can be a little costly.

Hybrx is a sub-$100 Remix OS 2.0 laptop made by Azpen Innovation that uses an Allwinner A64 Cortex A53 64-bit quad core processor running the Android Lollipop 5.1 operating system. The slim laptop has an 11.6-inch screen with a 1,366 x 768 HD LCD display. It’s been optimized to run multiple programs and files at the same time without slowing down the laptop. In addition to promising high energy efficiency, it also offers system boot-up within seconds, according to Azpen. Hybrx also supports H.265/H.264 4K video decoding with 4K HDMI output. Hybrx starts shipping in September at about $140 for a 1-GB RAM version with 16 GB of flash memory and about $180 for a 2-GB RAM version with 32 GB of flash. Azpen hopes to raise $75,000 by Aug. 4.

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Reviews Technology

Remix Ultratablet review

Review Score: 4 out of 5

Microsoft’s Surface has has seen a number of twists and turns in its young life, but two constants have been the presence of add-on magnetically attached keyboard covers and the unsurprising presence of Windows (and now, proper Windows in the Surface 3). Indeed, the Surface was always intended to be a showcase for Windows. But what if there was a Surface that didn’t run Windows?

That seems to be much of the idea behind the Remix Ultatablet, an Android tablet that has a strong resemblance to the Surface 2, such as an integrated multi-position kickstand (complete with microSD slot underneath) and a magnetically attaching keyboard cover. It’s missing a few niceties of the Surface 3. These include the ability for the top of the keyboard to magnetically attach to the base of the tablet, providing better stability and a kickstand that has a fluid range of angles. And while the Surface devices have a full-size USB port, the Ultratablet’s is a USB-on-the-Go connector requiring an adapter. On the other hand, Jide Tech includes the keyboard, which is a $129 add-on for the Surface. The tablet’s 11.6″ display lies between the current Surface 3 and Surface 3 Pro.

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Technology

Android does its best Windows impression in the ultra-cheap Remix Mini desktop PC

editors-choiceOnce upon a time in a land before laptops, towering desktop PCs peppered the landscape, their hulking shells loaded with all manner of cards and drives dependent on support from the operating systems of their day.

The Remix Mini PC shows how the desktop has evolved in an era of mobile hardware and software. The elongated dish-like device, which makes the Mac mini look large in comparison, is bereft of buttons. (It turns on by touching its top surface.). Its rear is only slightly less minimalist — two USB ports, an HDMI connector for a monitor, a microSD slot and headphone port. Something of a surprise is a standard Ethernet connector, which may be welcome for corporate use or anyone who wants to escape the occasional unpredictability of Wi-Fi.