Users pinning away for tiny computers like the FXI Cotton Candy or Raspberry Pi have another option, albeit one that is now also hard to come by. Last week a Chinese retailer called Aliexpress began selling a $74 USB key-sized computer with an AllWinner A10 1.5-GHz CPU, 802.11g Wi-Fi, HDMI-out, both micro USB and full USB 2.0 ports, 512MB of RAM, 4G of Flash memory which is expandable up 32GB via a microSD card slot and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Unfortunately, the .44-pounds device, which is listed as a Rikomagic brand, is now listed as sold out, though Aliexpress says a new batch will be released sometime close to June 10th.

Though the Rikomagic device appears to be similar to the long-awaited FXI Cotton Candy, it has a few key disadvantages. First, the Cotton Candy can launch a virtual desktop when plugged into any PC or Mac while the Rikomagic device is only made to work as a standalone computer, something the Cotton Candy can also do. The Cotton Candy is powered directly over USB while the Rikomagic appears to require a separate power plug.

The Cotton Candy has a male HDMI-out port that can go directly into any TV while the Rikomagic has a female port that requires a wire. The Cotton Candy has both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth while its competitor has only Wi-Fi. There's  no word on whether the Rikomagic product will support Ubuntu Linux like Cotton Candy does and we can't say whether the 1.5-GHz AllWinner CPU will be as fast as the dual-core Exynos processor in the Cotton Candy.

Still, the prospect of buying a $74 computer for your pocket is pretty intriguing. We hope to get our hands 0n this product in the near future. If you want one, you can either wait to buy it from Aliexpress or try other sites like the Chinese retailer Alibaba. However, we can't vouch for the customer service or reliability of any of these sellers.

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15 Comments

1. 1. geojellyroll 02:31 PM 5/22/12

   I'm surprised Scientific American would promote Aliexpress. It's part of the Alibaba Chinese site that sells fake brand name goods and has orther questionable marketing schemes. It has been targeted over the last couple years by varioius commerce departments of western nations. It has been charged with promoting pirated software, fake designer labels, outright fake copies of guitars, watches, Apple hardware, etc.
   
   Anyways, this website should be ashamed of promoting these scammers.

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2. 2. jimaginator 03:08 PM 5/22/12

   Alibaba is disreputable, and should not be promoted on SciAm. I don't know about the knock-off goods, but I do know that they sell some of the worst electronic parts out there, that do not even come close to meeting their specs. My company tried them twice, and both times we got burned. My advice with both Aliexpress and Alibaba is Caveat Emptor!

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3. 3. JamesDavis 04:06 PM 5/22/12

   You first two idiot commentaries should had read the complete story that was provided with the links. The FXI Cotton Candy is fantastic and when it comes to America, I am going to get it. $200.00 for a powerful computer the size of a pack of chewing gum, that you can take anywhere with you, is worth it. I think this just fantastic! I hope SciAm keeps us updated about the FXI Cotton Candy when it comes to America because I want to buy it and so does everyone I sent this article to. The best thing I can say about Cotton Candy is "WOW!!!!, hurry up and get here!"

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4. 4. geojellyroll 04:18 PM 5/22/12

   It can be the best thing since sliced bread... Aliexpress is still an illegitimate marketer of fake goods by Chinese manufacturers and distributors that get banned from E-bay.
   
   Aliexpress is right up there with the infamous Trade-Tang.
   
   It's beyond credibility that Scientific American would promote such a sleezy cesspit.

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5. 5. jtdwyer in reply to geojellyroll 04:57 PM 5/22/12

   Thanks for the intel - some people apparently can't use it!

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6. 6. JamesDavis in reply to geojellyroll 05:03 PM 5/22/12

   Who gives a damn. If I can get a $200.00 shirt for $5.00...which one do you think I am going to buy? Thank God for the Chinese! You greedy scum can crawl back under the rock you crawled out from under.

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7. 7. Crasher in reply to JamesDavis 05:41 PM 5/22/12

   and you'll be the first to cry when you lose your job...oh and there is no need to be abusive.

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8. 8. David Russell in reply to Crasher 09:29 PM 5/22/12

   Why would we worry about jobs in the US. There are many things you can do with Rice and water. As long as the water is boiled it shouldn't kill you. And the fact that the Chinese laugh at our patent laws must be funny, I just don't get it yet, but I am trying.
   
   With the global economy I am sure your friend would be happy making a dollar a day as long as he got all 12 hours in and the living would be provided for in a style somewhat like the good people that make Ipods live in, well those that chose to stay alive.

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9. 9. phalaris 03:14 AM 5/23/12

   JamesDavis : geojellyroll is one of the most sensible contributors round here, and if you think that profanities can make up for missing logic, why don't you go to pharyngula where they love that sort of thing.
   Whatever the bona fides of that company, these products look a fantastic innovation. That we have to rely on Asian companies for them, probably owes something to allowing microsoft to get such a powerful hold on the market in the western world.

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10. 10. singing flea 04:09 AM 5/23/12

    This is no more then an underpowered toy for script kiddies. Unless it can be used as a controller for robots or drones, it has little application for everyday computing or even a decent experience web browsing. I'll stick with a quad core cpu running at 3 ghz and a fast video card coupled to a terabyte drive and a set of 20" dual monitors any day.

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11. 11. Steve3 in reply to phalaris 12:18 PM 5/23/12

    "JamesDavis : geojellyroll is one of the most sensible contributors round here .."
    
    phalaris -- irony -- Ok I get it! -- Or maybe not -- is it sarcasm geez I just don't know you've got me confused.
    
    geojellyroll is a flat earther!

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12. 12. Steve3 in reply to JamesDavis 12:21 PM 5/23/12

    A sincere question: Cotton candy, what would you use it for?

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13. 13. nhat11 in reply to JamesDavis 08:51 AM 5/24/12

    Sounds like you're the greedy one who wants cheap stuff for yourself.

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14. 14. James3542 02:14 PM 9/29/12

    Very cool. I have a "computer" on a USB Flash Drive that I recently got. It is very helpful - I got it because I like having my desktop and files with me at all times - the real plus is the increased security when I use a shard computer! Mine was made by Small Platform Computing.

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15. 15. James3542 02:19 PM 9/29/12

    This is a very cool device. I have a "computer" on a USB that I recently got as a gift. It is made be Small Platform Computing. I love the convenience of having my desktop and files with me at all times. I also really enjoy the increased security when using a shared computer at an internet cafe or library.

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