ECS LIVA: ARM versions of mini-PCs introduced that run Android and Ubuntu natively

It has been a few years since ECS announced its LIVA Q range of mini-PCs, which it last refreshed with Intel Apollo Lake processors. Now, the company has introduced ARM models that it has called the LIVA Q1A and LIVA Q1A Plus, respectively. The machines share broadly the same hardware, but ECS has distinguished them by their processors.

Specifically, the LIVA Q1A has a Rockchip RK3288 and the LIVA Q1A Plus a Rockchip RK3399. The former is a quad-core SoC that can reach 1.6 GHz, while the latter features six cores, of which two peak at 1.8 GHz. Both machines have 2 GB of LPDDR3-1600 RAM, though.

Additionally, ECS sells the LIVA Q1A series with optional eMMC storage, but a microSD card reader should be included as standard. ECS also equips the LIVA Q1A and LIVA Q1A Plus with Gigabit LAN, HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.2 and three USB Type-A ports. However, all three are USB 2.0 on the LIVA Q1A, whereas one operates at USB 3.2 Gen1 on the LIVA Q1A Plus. ECS has packed Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity within the 74 x 74 34.6 mm chassis of the LIVA Q1A series, too.

Both machines run Android 8.1 and Ubuntu 18.04 natively. ECS is yet to announce availability or pricing for the LIVA Q1A or LIVA Q1A Plus, though. The company expects the two machines to be used as part of digital signage installations.