Well, I don't think these things are well engineered.
When I first received mine, I put it briefly through its paces and everything seemed to work.
While I was waiting for something else to complete, I decided to start setting this thing up to run Artisan Radio. Not continuously, but portable.
Things seemed to be going smoothly, until I attempted to enable the Administrator account on the device. There was no log off function to get back into that account, so I restarted it, and it wouldn't come back on.
There is a reset button on the side, and I tried that, with no luck.
I'm trying a few more things, but if I can't get it going, I'll tear it apart, manually disconnect the CMOS battery (equivalent of a hard reset) and see if that does the trick.
If not, then, like Mark, I'll use it for parts.
These things just don't appear to be ready for prime time. Too bad, as it would have been the perfect portable device, basically a thicker smartphone running true Windows.
I'll stick with smartphones running emulation software. At least the hardware is reliable (I'm not sure I can say that about the software).
I haven't used mine for parts, it went to staples which accepts electronics for proper disposal and I thought of keeping the SSD but what for? All my other computers have one. Thought of giving it to one of you guys as it has Windows 10 for anyone with a compatible computer but didn't think anyone would be interested so I just snipped it in half and garbage.
The main issue I think with these is the performance they are trying to get from these little things without good enough cooling. Somehow in tablets and phones if you want to call a phone a mini tablet they use storage and processors not as sensitive to heat.
Well too bad you are having trouble with yours too.
Mine is dead. I took it apart just to see how it was made. There was tape covering one of the vents! I think Mark discovered that on his as well. No active cooling, just a heat sink covering the CPU and surrounding chips. The device got super hot when it ran for a time, and I suspect that was the cause of it dying.
Recycled. Never again, I'll stick with something with active cooling and proven.
@artisan-radio Too bad. Yup they are trying to put parts and too much "horsepower" under the hood (processor, RAM,) in something to small to allow for the cooling it needs and that also lets the SSD storage chip heat up too much also. Junk it is! No point trying with Ali Express trying to get some money back or another one that will do the same thing. Never got any response back from the seller except "I will mention it to the engineer" and never got any more than that.
Isn't that stupid about the tape over the air vent??!! You too, just like what I got.
Well, the two small 10" laptops unbranded that I got from Amazon .com as Canada's Amazon didn't have them at the time and were around $199 and around $25 shipping and import charges to Canada work great and run non stop and no heating problems. I think at the time "Hebstore" was the brand name now that I remember but now Amazon Canada have similar ones with no brand name but a little more expensive. 10" is still quite small and good for running Salamandra and it has a Celeron 4000 series and 4 or 8 gigs of RAM(would have to see but doesn't matter) and 128 GB SSD and doesn't have too much under the hood with insufficient provision for cooling. They are what I use for the broadcasting, one is back up. They conveniently run on any 12 volt 2 amp wall power supply.
Yeah, I really can't believe how cheap (in terms of quality) and overpriced that computer was once I saw how it was constructed. They're priced at C$400-500 now! I didn't even see a CMOS battery in there - I think they were using the internal battery to save a few pennies.
I strongly recommend that anyone contemplating the purchase of one of these Chinese mini PC's to NOT DO IT. It was pretty obvious that there was no consideration of heat in the build. In mine, at least, there was lots of room for a little fan or two, blowing out the side vent (assuming that it wasn't covered, that is). And a much more effective heat sink.
I'd stay with a name brand tablet, much as @richpowers recommended in the beginning. A Microsoft Surface (even the 1st generation had 2 built-in fans) or something similar, but definitely a name brand.
@artisan-radio I'm a bit surprised you bought one after Marks trials with his, but guess you wanted to find out for yourself. I can kind of understand that because I am intrigued by them too, but I was afraid of a gamble at $300+ to find out. I have however considered maybe spending around $100 or so on a used Windows phone which really wouldn't be much of a gamble at all providing the phone works at all-;but then again, it would primarily be for the novelty and potential convenience use.
It was mostly an impulse, but I just ordered a Microsoft Nokia Lumia 1520 phone on eBay. He's already sold over 200 of these "Excellent Condition" and still has more, the drawback is they are locked to AT&T (which is why they're so cheap) but I'm not getting it as phone. I'm getting it as a portable Windows pc.
Before I purchased I asked AI about buying an unusable locked Windows phone as primarily just a media player or server and it advised:
"For a primary focus on offline media playback, the Microsoft Lumia 950 XL and the Nokia Lumia 1520 are the standout choices due to their superior displays and storage options. "
The fact that it locked to AT&T has no bearing to me. What's more it has a headphone jack that's reputed to output quality audio and recording capabilities. It can still connect to the Internet via wifi, and of course you got Bluetooth and everything else, it basically a tiny pc, right?
But the deciding factor:$30 w free shipping! (Don't know how that might work out for you Canadian boys but you can find out.)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/226551760365
Item description from the seller
Nokia Lumia 1520 - 16GB Black - AT&T Locked - Excellent
×××××××
Activation Status: 🔒
This Nokia Lumia 1520 is AT&T compatible and locked to their network. It cannot be uséd with other carriers or MVNOs. Please contact us with any questions about compatibility before purchasing.
Device Condition: ✅
This phone is in Excellent condition and has been fully tested to ensure optimal performance. The device has passed comprehensive functionality tests, including connectivity, touchscreen responsiveness, and hardware diagnostics. It shows minimal signs of use, such as very light scuffs, and is free of cracks or major defects. It comes with a generic charger and generic packaging.
Model Information: ℹ️
The Nokia Lumia 1520 is a powerful and elegant smartphone, featuring a large 6-inch display, a high-resolution camera, and the intuitive Windows Phone OS. Its sleek design and robust performance make it ideal for both productivity and entertainment.
Device Specifications:
Model: Nokia Lumia 1520
Color: Black
Storage Capacity: 16GB
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 Quad-core 2.2 GHz
RAM: 2GB
Display Size: 6.0 inches IPS LCD (1080 x 1920 resolution)
Camera: 20 MP (rear); 1.2 MP (front)
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, AT&T Cellular
Operating System: Windows Phone 8.1 (upgradable)
Battery: 3400 mAh (non-removable)
Ports: Micro-USB, 3.5mm headphone jack
Package Contents: 📦
Nokia Lumia 1520 (16GB, Black)
Generic Micro-USB Charging Cable
Generic Wall Adapter
Generic Packaging
Notice:
This listing does not include the original box, SIM card, or additional accessories.
It cannot be used with other carriers or MVNOs. Device Condition: ✅This phone is in Excellent condition and has been fully tested to ensure optimal performance. The device has passed comprehensive functionality tests, including connectivity, touchscreen responsiveness, and hardware diagnostics.
I once owned a Windows Phone. In fact, I owned a Lumia 1520. It's really nice hardware. However, the O/S has some serious issues, particularly if you like the openness of Android, Windows Desktop or Linux. Windows Phone is locked down, much like IOS, so you're limited in what you can do outside of each individual app. There is no universal file system that's easily accessible. And you can't use run of the mill Windows Desktop apps.
For 'security reasons', all app data has to be contained within each particular app. I lost thousands of e-books because my e-book reader app got corrupted.
There never was much of an app store anyway, at least compared to Google or even F-Droid. Because of the storage restrictions and limited market acceptance, app developers tended to shy away from Windows Phone, and instead developed for Android and IOS.
There are some Open Source projects (Project Renegade) that attempt to run Windows 10 on arm devices, and apparently the Lumia is one of the target devices. There are others. I've taken a quick look at it, and it looks like it was designed to be used from Linux (to 'make' the ROM and then flash the phone).
I may take a further look at it somewhere down the line, but you do need specific phone hardware to run the resulting firmware. It's the device drivers (screen, communications, camera, ports, etc.) that are the limiting factors, and they must be developed for each phone.
I never knew there was a Windows phone! I am finding out more things here. But as Artisan seemed to point out if I understand it can't run 3rd party apps or programs like on a laptop or desktop computer. It's like it is in S mode. No way of getting out of that?
What about a Windows tablet?
@artisan-radio oh... Your telling me it won't run Zara.. or any standard Windows software. It's like the very first Window tablets (like the RT) it only runs apps available in the app store.
Yeah, that sucks. Now I wish I didn't bother. Well, at least it only cost me $30. I'm too damn impulsive
@mark Yeah the Surface 2 tablets can run anything. But not the earlier models.
I should have known better. The very first Windows Surface tablet I owned was the RT model, I had bought it on eBay about 6 or 7 years ago for about $60 because they were so cheap (also an impulse buy), they were Windows 8.1 too, but you couldn't install standard software on it, they could only run what was available in the Windows app store. It was quite disappointing to me initially, but it actually turn out to be my primary device for browsing the web including the forums and so forth, and it was also quite nice for watching Netflix, Roku and Prime movies as the screens display was so nice, plus they are very rugged units.
So I didn't lose on it because I ended up using it quite a bit, very regularly as my "internet pc" for at least a couple years, the display on them are also very sharp, good quality for movies. But with this Windows phone, I don't know. I guess I forgot my lesson, it will probably end up in the back of a drawer unused.
The Surface 2 are an entirely different story, you can install any windows software on those, I bought one of those about a year ago also on eBay.. I think it was under $100 and it's really sweet.
Anyone want to buy or trade a nice Windows 8.1 phone locked to the AT-T network?
Maybe I still can find a use for it, I asked Google AI how I might be able to repurpose it:
±-------------------
Repurposing a carrier-locked Lumia 1520 is highly effective because its best features—the 6-inch 1080p display, dedicated camera button, and high-fidelity audio—don't require a cellular connection to work.
1. Dedicated Hi-Fi Media Player:
Since you don't use AT&T, you can permanently keep the phone in Airplane Mode to double its battery life while using it as a high-end MP3/MP4 player.
Storage: Insert a large microSD card (the 1520 supports up to 2TB theoretically, but 128GB/256GB cards are widely compatible) and load it with your music and movie library.
Audio Setup: Connect it to your home stereo via the 3.5mm jack to use it as a dedicated music streamer over Wi-Fi.
Software: Use the pre-installed Groove Music or VLC for Mobile (if already installed) for offline playback.
2. High-Quality Audio Recorder
The 1520 is famous for its four-microphone array, which captures sound with incredible clarity.
Concert/Meeting Recorder: It can record audio at very high volumes (up to 140dB) without distortion, making it superior to most modern phones for recording live music or loud events.
The Nokia Lumia 1520 offers high-quality audio output characterized by clear, loud sound and advanced processing features that were industry-leading at its launch.
Wired Audio (Headphone Jack) The 3.5mm headphone jack provides a strong and clean signal, supported by integrated software enhancements.
Dolby Headphone Support: The device includes Dolby Headphone and Dolby Digital Plus sound enhancement, which creates a more immersive, surround-sound-like experience when using wired headphones.
Technical Performance: According to shopping product data, the 1520 has a crosstalk rating of -89.4dB and a noise level of -89.3dB, indicating high separation between channels and a very low floor for background interference.
Equalizer: The "Audio" settings menu in Windows Phone/Windows 10 Mobile allows for a custom 7-band equalizer and multiple presets to tune the output to your specific headphones.
Built-in Loudspeaker While it features only a single rear-firing speaker, it is noted for its high volume.
Output Volume: Reviewers from Windows Central noted the speaker is "really, really loud," capable of rivaling laptops or tablets at 100% volume without significant distortion.
Frequency Range: The speaker tends to favor mid-to-high ranges, meaning bass response is somewhat limited compared to modern flagship dual-speaker setups.
Design Advantage: The speaker is placed on a curved part of the back, preventing it from being fully muffled when the phone is placed flat on a table.
Recording Quality (A Notable Strength)
The 1520 is famous for its Nokia Rich Recording technology, which directly impacts the quality of any audio you capture.
Four-Microphone Array: It uses four High Amplitude Audio Capture (HAAC) microphones that can record a full frequency range from 20Hz to 20KHz.
High SPL Handling: These microphones can record sounds up to 6 times louder than conventional smartphone mics, allowing you to record concerts without the typical bass distortion or "clipping".
Takeaway: The Lumia 1520 remains an excellent offline player for users who value high-volume speakers and the ability to record high-fidelity audio, though the single speaker lacks the stereo separation found in modern devices.