I currently have a Shield (2017) that I love. I am looking to add another Android TV to my household, but it won't be used nearly as heavily. Is there a big drop-off to the Mi Box S?
Edit: The consensus seems to be that the Mi Box S is fully capable of handling most tasks besides gaming. Thanks to everyone who responded. I have ordered a Mi Box S and am eagerly waiting for it to arrive!
Depends on how you use it. I bought a Mi Box S for my living room for casual TV watching (mainly streaming apps -- I watch full quality movies via Plex in the theater room with the 2015 Shield). It doesn't arrive until tomorrow so I can't compare yet.
I don't expect to do any gaming or even watch full Blu-ray rips with it via Plex (although if it can handle it that will be nice). I'm keeping my expectations low...just like the price I paid.
If no gaming and no uncompressed 4k then the Mi Box is the perfect choice.
I downgraded from the shield to mi box as I didn't play games, I was quite surprised how well the mi box performs.
Not gonna lie I've had more problems with my Shield TV between the horrible remote and the color space not detecting right during power on and fucking up until I turn it on/off on the new update.
Mi Box S is fine, just slower.
Mi box is perfectly good as a secondary device.