A Chromecast with Google TV or a mini PC are ideal devices to give you a second life to a televisionAlthough the experience they offer is far from the same. Still, courtesy of Fire TV, these are two of the most popular options out there. In EL ESPAÑOL – El Androide Libre we have been testing both devices on a TV for a few weeks to know the pros and cons of both devices.
And it is that, despite having a Smart TV with Android TV, its power is not enough for the in 4K, at least on some platforms. Therefore, I tried both a mini PC and the Chromecast with Google TV to see what best suits my needs.
These are devices whose use, at least in this case, is similar, but which They’re not the same, even remotely. Nor is its price, since the Chromecast is available at 39.99 dollars in its HD version and goes up to 30 dollars more in its 4K version. For their part, they have very varied prices depending on their services, and can range from 150 to more than 900 dollars.
Mini PC: versatility
The mini PC is a miniature computer, and one of its greatest virtues is its small size. These are computers that can have very capable hardware, although due to their size, have certain limitations compared to a computer traditional. It’s not a direct competitor to the Chromecast, as it’s a bit more expensive, but I decided to replace it to see how it performs on TV, and the differences are stark.
When it comes to power, there is no comparison between a PC and a Chromecast, which gives these devices more possibilities. The A6, which is the mini PC we tested, has a relatively powerful integrated graphics card and even can run some games.
MiniPC with a hard drive connected
The free Android
You can’t play the latest games on the market at maximum quality, but it is capable of running titles like fall guys oh League no problem. Moreover, the world of games and games in opens up a range of play possibilities. One of the downsides they have is that they don’t have an interface suitable for large screens that allows them to be controlled as comfortably as with the Chromecast remote.
It’s not a big obstacle if you know clearly what you want to see and if you have a wireless mouse and keyboard When browsing content on platforms yes, it can be a bit more uncomfortable. These computers have USB ports and they therefore admit the possibility of using peripherals with them. This is a possibility that the television also supports natively.
Mini PC connections
The free Android
Another of the great advantages of miniature computers is that they offer the full range of possibilities on the Internet to entertain you. to play retro games in open source libraries even upload all your vacation photos and videos in a quick way.
Chromecast: Convenience
The Chromecast is one of Google’s best products, and in its latest models with Google TV, it’s taken it up a notch in terms of user experience. It stands out for its comfortthrough its command and app store.
Its interface is entirely adapted to television, which facilitates navigation in the applications on be very comfortable. It lets you shop around your app store, although you can also install apps remotely using your mobile.
One of the things you miss with the Chromecast is the ability to browse the internet like on a PC. You can download a browser, but the experience won’t be the same, even if you use the mouse and keyboard. Another option is also to mirror your Android screen using the Chromecast protocol.
[5 cosas que puedes hacer en Chromecast y que quizá no sabías]
Another of the points in favor of this device is that it places leisure and user experience at the center. Google TV, which is the Chromecast operating system, has a interface designed to show the user the latest reproductions of series and films he has made, as well as recommended content.
There is a row of recommendations where it shows movies and series that have been watched so you can continue with them where you left off. Also, and it doesn’t distinguish between platforms, but rather bring everyone’s pending content together in one placewhich can be useful in times of indecision.
What is the best option?
When we talk about the price of the two devices, the differences are also clear, since Chromecast with Google TV is currently priced at 69.99 dollars, while their cost is increasing to a large extent. The price of these can range from 150 to 900 dollars or even more, depending on their power. These are two good options for delivering content to TV. The differential factor will be the versatility we are looking for in relation to comfort, in addition to the price.
On many occasions, although more things can be done with a mini PC, it may not be attractive for certain types of users. The Chromecast, on the other hand, offers less for what it offers, it does it perfectly. Many applications can be downloaded from the services of A services like or even games.
If you’re going to take advantage of all the possibilities Windows has to offer in terms of gaming, Internet browsing and file management, it may be worth paying the extra cost of a mini computer instead of betting on the Chromecast. If you are simply looking for quick and easy access to your services favorite, Google device is the most recommended optionpreferably in its 4K version, since it is more powerful and supports higher resolution.
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