The Minix Neo X7 (in my opinion, at least) is the state of the art device of Minix company from Hong Kong. Recently, they launched the Minix Neo X6. Yes, I know, it is weird that X6 comes after X7 and not the other way around. However, everything has a reason.

In this article I will review the Minix Neo X6 and will compare it to the Minix Neo X7.
So what do we have in the Minix Neo X6? It has a quad core 1.6GHz processor, quad core Mali-450 GPU, 1GB RAM, 8GB ROM, Android 4.4.2 (KitKat), H.265/HEVC hardware decoding support, full HD, WiFi 802.11, Bluetooth 4.0, RJ45, HDMI, 2 x USB, TF (Micro SD) card slot, antenna, IR remote control and on/off button.
Minix Neo X7 vs. Minix Neo X6

In comparison to the Minix Neo X7 series: the size is a little bit smaller than the Minix Neo X7 and a little bit bigger than the Minix Neo X7 mini. When it comes to the price, here are the news: It is cheaper than the X7 (which costs around 130 USD in DealeXtreme), but unfortunately, more expensive than the X7 mini (which costs around 95 USD in DealeXtreme). The X6 costs around 100 USD.

Let’s start with the similarity: They are all quad core, 1.6GHz processor, WiFi 802.11, Bluetooth 4.0, RJ45, HDMI, antenna (some of the mini boxes do not have) and IR remote control.

The 2 versions of the X7 have ARM Cortex A9 processor which is stronger than the ARM Cortex A5 processor of the X6. The 2 versions of the X7 have 2GB RAM while the X6 has only 1GB. The 2 versions of the X7 have micro USB/OTG while the X6 doesn’t have. The 2 versions of the X7 have SD card slot, while the X6 has only TF (Micro SD) card slot. The X6 comes with 2 USB ports like the X7 mini, while the X7 has 3 USB ports.

So why the X6 is more expensive than it should be? It comes with quad core Mali-450 GPU which is more advanced than the Mali-400 MP of the X7. It has H.265/HEVC hardware decoding support and KitKat (Android 4.4.2) which is more advanced (also includes support screen rotation!) than the Jellybean (Android 4.2.2) in the X7. But, does it justify a higher price than the X7 mini? I’ll let you be the judge of that…

Any other downside? Actually, when it comes to our Android digital signage software, there is: In the only official firmware which they have for the Minix Neo X6, we have experienced the following problem: when you put 2 videos in the same screen, one video will play fine, while in the other video you get a black rectangle instead. If have no intention to play 2 videos (YouTube and Ustream count as a video for this) together, you can use the X6. But if not, you better use the good old X7.

So, what’s your call?

Nir.