I'd wait (a few weeks?) until Oreo has been released. Many of us have had a bad experience with the software. Wait and see what people report.

Xiaomi has a lot of different boxes they've branded as the Mibox.

• MDZ-15-AA - 1GB/4GB
• MDZ-16-AA - 1GB/4GB
• MDZ-16-AB-(International version) 2GB/8GB/S905X-H/chromecast/Android TV
• MDZ-18-AA-(Xiaomi TV 3 Enhanced) 2GB/8GB/MT8693
• MDZ-19-AA-(Xiaomi TV 3S) 2GB/8GB/S905X-H
• MDZ-06-AA/AK 1GB/4GB MTK chipset
• MDZ-09-AA/AK 1 or 2GB/4GB MTK chipset

Only MDZ-16-AB has Android TV. The rest run a different UI. I think it's a good box.

There is only one USB port unfortunately, and the processor is definitely weaker than the Shield TV. It does support Bluetooth, but gaming is limited due to system specifications and available storage. Emulation capability is really only to the 16-bit generation + PSX.

Notwithstanding, it's a quality box with official Google certification and Chromecast support. I would buy it used to get the best price.

from a year or so of use in the UK I've learnt;

• if you're US based its easier to get on with
• for 1080p content ( aside from Amazon which yes you can sideload but its flakey) its fine
• for kodi it works
• they can be touchy with some hdcp chains
• very light gameing is possble
• remote is nice but has disconnect issues
• oreo may be on the way but so far no one knows if this adds or fixes issues, the nougat builds where beta and painful
• its cheap and functional

My thoughts are, as an owner for 2 years, is it works well enough in 1080p for most apps, but has been COMPLETELY unsupported by the shitty Chinese company Xiaomi. It's running a 2.5 year old version of Android still.

Save up and buy a Shield TV it'll be actually supported for longterm ownership.