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Mini Linux PC breaks $100 barrier
linuxdevices.com — A Taiwanese company is selling a tiny Linux-powered mini PC that has a consumer electronics look-and-feel for $99, quantity one. Seems like a neat platform for a wide range of specialized applications and projects.
- 1135 diggs
- digg it
- sfabkk, on 10/12/2007, -1/+18Great mini pc, micro server etc, low signature, price is great.
- gwill11, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8More photos and info.
http://linuxdevices.com/news/NS6828123924.html - lyzz, on 10/12/2007, -1/+11Reminds me of ebay... $99 for the device $35 to ship it.
http://www.norhtec.com/products/mcjr/mcjr-ship.html - Nougat, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7@jbarnett:
From TFA, "Additionally, the system is optionally available with pre-installed flash and microdrives, a mini-PCI slot, and an 802.11b/g WiFi module."
So it seems that it doesn't come with a hard drive. Which means that for $99, you would need to add your own hard drive or flash drive. - unitedkronos, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3The shipping prices for the MicroClient Jr. (not the system this digg is based on, but pretty much 99% the same) take the piss; the USA and Mexico for $35, the UK for $40, and the rest of general Europe ranging from $40 to $50. For me, $160 for a silent PC like this would cost me just over £85, which is just £10 too much for my liking.
- mebob, on 10/12/2007, -2/+0>More photos and info.
>http://linuxdevices.com/news/NS6828123924.html
I don't think that is the same system. - MikeCerm, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Love the form-factor, but this is hardly useful as a PC. 200 MHz isn't enough to browse the web these days.
For $200-300 you can get a normal tower from Compaq or Dell, with a 2 Ghz Sempron, 256 MB RAM, 80 GB hard drive, CD-RW/DVD-ROM driver. Such a computer would be more than twice as useful as the little Linux box.
If you're going to get this thing to use as a router, why not just get a $50 WRT54GL?
- gwill11, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8More photos and info.
- ArrozconNori, on 10/12/2007, -8/+0its identical to the Microclient JR!! (Northtec - http://www.norhtec.com/products/mcjr/index.html)
- unitedkronos, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2It's just the same case, it has a different PSU and hardware inside it.
- unitedkronos, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I like it that companies aim to build systems under $99, it means that it's cheaper for us British to buy these systems. :)
Anyone have a link to somewhere which sells these systems?- Matrix_Prime, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1I want to know that as well.
- lyzz, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3You may want to try http://www.copyall.com/contact.asp . For the ebox-2300 which looks very similar http://www.copyall.com/ebox2300.htm .
- dc2447, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5If you want a low power, small footprint *fully* functional Linux server then get one of these (Linkstation 2)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Buffalo-Linkstation-HD-H250LAN-1-Network-Storage/dp/B0007R6CF8/sr=8-1/qid=1159452847/ref=pd_ka_1/026-6270134-8360452?ie=UTF8&s=electronics
and stick Debian on it. That's exactly what I did. - escoz, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0The buffalo is good (same hardware as the kurobox), but it's not a x86 machine. It also doesn't have a monitor output.
While these things are not important for a server, if I had to select between a machine with those things and one without, it would be an easy choice.
It has, though, space for a large IDE harddrive, which is a lot better than having to use and external usb one. They really should make a larger box to fit a big hd!
- cius, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4I'm intensely interested in mini systems like this. I don't expect it to play my HD content or throw down benches anywhere near my main rig, but I can't resist the opportunity to push a platform like this to its absolute limits. After all, given the right software and the right application, systems like this can perform like a dream. :-)
- burke, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Arch Linux ;)
- Beanlover, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4It would be nice if this could function as a mythtv frontend.
- kyrre, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3That would be nice, but we are not quite there yet. There is no way that CPU can playback MPEG2 files or most other video formats. Maybe if you have a USB or Mini-PCI hardware decoder.
- asspants, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4FTA:
The TU-40 is based on an unspecified 200MHz processor said to be x86-compatible -- possibly an SiS550
From SiS550 spec sheet:
SiS550 family provides powerful slice layer decoding DVD accelerator to improve the DVD playback performance
Last time I checked, most DVD is mpeg2 layer...
So, when you said:
"That would be nice, but we are not quite there yet. There is no way that CPU can playback MPEG2 files or most other video formats. Maybe if you have a USB or Mini-PCI hardware decoder."
I think you're wrong.
- austindkelly, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8where can i buy one?
- Technopundit, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1Try the nearest yard sale. About 20 dollars.
- smokester, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8What are the applications for this?
This is in no way a criticism! Genuinely interested to hear what people would use them for- shuffle, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5With expansion possibilities the possibilities are endless. Stick it in your car for a sweet mp3 player (with wifi if you want!), a firewall device, network enabled storage unit (i.e. running samba), with asterisk as an open source voip adapter. Hobby/test web server. Thin client box!
Use your imagination... - Langford, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3It could potentially be used for audio playback. It may be practical to put this system in a car. It could be a good started system for a young relative. It could be a good email/solitaire system for an older relative.
- gothsquirrel, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3They could use them as Telent terminal servers here at work or spend a $1000 on a new ibm to do the same thing, which is what they did (shakes head and frowns).
- timmarhy, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3just whats i was thinking - x11 terminals.
- diggitydank, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Add another ethernet port and you have a great firewall.
- MoreBeer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I'm (honestly) going to buy one to drive the LCD display mounted above the urinal in my basement. It says it has a VESA mount so I can bolt it right to the back of the LCD. I haven't looked to see if it is PoE (Power over Ethernet) capable yet... then it would be flawless, only an RJ45 run needed!
- UrsaMare, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I was thinking it would be cool for a kitchen PC. Use Linux Terminal Server to make it a thin client, get an under counter display, and one of those sealed silicone keyboards (CompUSA even has a cheap no-name version), and it would be great for looking up recipes. Could even hook a Cue Cat in and scan food packages so the recipe database can suggest dishes with what you have on hand.
- jannuhat, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0These would be almost perfect for Ultra Thin Client use (think LTSP, NX and such).
The only things missing are USB 2.0 (for local storage such as big USB sticks, DVD-RW drives, digital still and video cameras, etc.) and basic 3D graphics support (for an AIGLX accelerated desktop). Although the latter might actually be included, I just couldn't find any information about it.
Mind you, even without those things these boxes will work great as terminals (the CPU is easily powerful enough, there's plenty of RAM and the power usage is under 1/10th of a regular PC), but won't be as future-proof nor as versatile as they could be.
- shuffle, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5With expansion possibilities the possibilities are endless. Stick it in your car for a sweet mp3 player (with wifi if you want!), a firewall device, network enabled storage unit (i.e. running samba), with asterisk as an open source voip adapter. Hobby/test web server. Thin client box!
- austindkelly, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2
EDIT: Found it here: http://www.norhtec.com/products/mcjr/index.html different company but you can order from that site, same price too.- unitedkronos, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Different kind, and it's more expensive.
- zerokarma, on 10/12/2007, -6/+0Its cheap but has no power though, you can't really do much with 200MHz and 128 megs of ram. If you want something a little more practical then go with something like this: http://www.littlepc.com/
- pbaehr, on 10/12/2007, -3/+8In the early 90's we had less than this and somehow managed to get an awful lot done.
- trypnotic, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5LittlePC's fanless PC is $1500. I'd rather have a cluster of 15 of these little guys!
- timmarhy, on 10/12/2007, -11/+1typical american, you relate everything back to penis size.
- captjc, on 10/12/2007, -9/+1@trypnotic
Wow, a cluster of 15 of those...for that much money you could get a cluster of like 20 Mac minis or 15 custom-built Athlon 64 (or Intel) speed machines. or like 5-7 really fast custom rigs.
Personally it doesn't seem like a good trade-off on size and power for the price
My $.02 - JQP123, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2For only $149, I'd rather have one of these:
www.devonit.com
These are mini-ITX form factor which is somewhat more "standard". Their low end unit has an 800 mHz Via processor and IDE ports so you can install a laptop hard drive. I've installed Win95,98,XP,2k3 Server, DSL Linux and PC-BSD. - trypnotic, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3@captjc
I was talking about the $99 E-Way boxes. You can get 15 of those for the price of the LittlePC.
- weprin, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6car-puter
- colklink, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2That's the same thing I thought, but after pondering on it longer I think 200mhz and 128 MB of ram would probably only lead me to driving my car off a cliff in frustration.
- 1101, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Well I run a car PC that's a 133 with 16MB of ram (only for audio), I use Windows as well (probably not the most efficient) and it all runs like clockwork. I would love one of these little babies, but I am thinking more about getting a fan-less mini-atx to use as a torrent server to get my feet wet with the technology (should be more flexible).
Anybody know where I can get mini/micro-atx cheap in Australia?
- SkyJedi, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1MythTV frontends would be awesome
- DanaG, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"MythTV frontends would be awesome"
If that's all you want, you could get a Hauppauge MediaMVP ( http://www.hauppauge.com/html/mediamvp_datasheet.htm ) for less and use the MediaMVP Media Center ( http://www.mvpmc.org/ ) software which supports MythTV and ReplayTV video playback. Comes with a snazzy (well ok, adequate) IR remote. - pt1000, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0From what I've read, you can't schedule/record using mvpmc. I'm not sold on it being a replacement for a MythTV frontend unless I can actually schedule recordings. I mean that's the whole point isn't it?
- DanaG, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"MythTV frontends would be awesome"
- JohnFrisco, on 10/12/2007, -12/+2It's a Mac mini for $500 less.
- B111, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5hmm, not quite, actually not even close, considering the mini has a core duo processor.
- gherikill, on 10/12/2007, -5/+4No it isn't. A Mac mini has much more power and capability.
- chasma, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3interesting this unit has vesa footprint - bolt right on the back of those unused 15' lcds as a flash card photoframe + occsional browser
- rockefeller, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1Yeah, like we all have 15' lcd's just lying around unused.
Besides, how do you transport something that big? - chasma, on 10/12/2007, -4/+1well yes i do have a coupl e- with 1280x960 17'' screens at
- chasma, on 10/12/2007, -4/+0 ..
- rockefeller, on 10/12/2007, -0/+215'.....feet. 15 feet LCD screen, as in "massive."
Nobody else caught onto that?
- rockefeller, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1Yeah, like we all have 15' lcd's just lying around unused.
- justice7, on 10/12/2007, -16/+5im not sure if i understand why Linux is glorified here for making the HARDWARE cost less than $100 for the end user....
Microsoft gives out very similar lisences (Free or even close to free) to charities and non profit organizations.
I'm not trolling, i'm just pointing out that the hardware manufacturers here are not getting their credit due.
Linux is free to install yourself -- we know this.- timmarhy, on 10/12/2007, -4/+14"I'm not trolling"
yes righto ***** but i'll bite anyway,
where are they giving linux credit for making hardware cheaper? it's the PACKAGE that ends up cheaper because there is no $100 windows embedded tax on the thing.
"Microsoft gives out very similar lisences (Free or even close to free) to charities and non profit organizations."
and what the ***** does that have to do with this commercial product?? MS gives out no such similar licenses at all, your full of it. - B111, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7Linux doesn't get the credit for designing the hardware, I don't think anyone is saying that. The fact is that given the open nature of linux, it has been adapted to work on many , many platforms, from uber-leet gaming rigs, to small, embedded systems.
A full system, hardware + software, would not be possible using microsoft's software. - justice7, on 10/12/2007, -11/+1@timmarhy
Quote "yes righto ***** but i'll bite anyway,"
you're an ignorant ***** aren't you?
I just so happen to have one such lisence in front of me right now, you linux zealot fanboy pig. You fall into the linux troll category where no one wants to hire you due to your extremist views.
Namecalling is fun, isn't it? - ShrimpCrackers, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Timmarhy and Justice are both somewhat wrong and I'll add in some information about the charities.
First, Justice, the benefit of all this is you could save a bunch of money, and install any OS you want, if you want Windows then go ahead and purchase a license, or an OEM license and just install it. Many other people on the otherhand won't need it. Plus the specs on this device doesn't meet the minimum requirements of most unhacked modern Windows OS's. On the otherhand, Timmarhy is also wrong because many companies and computer repair stores pay only $35-$50 per license, not $100; its over exaggeration.
Microsoft does give free licences to charities or non-profits as Justice described, in case you're interested in getting some of these machines for your non-profit organization. If you're a 501(c)3 non profit and brought a bunch of old computers or laptops that came with Windows on it, complete with the holographic sticker that has licenses, such as old Dell boxes, they'll give you free Windows licenses of Office 2003 and Windows 2000 for them. Just give Microsoft a call and they'll forward you to the right people.
The alternative is the open license charity if you have a bunch of custom made computers. You simply need to purchase one legitimate copy of Windows and or Office for all the computers in your non-profit organization. More information here:
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/programs/open/opencharity.mspx
So yes, if you're a nonprofit, seeking to save money by purchasing these machines, you could save a bunch of money with one copy of Windows. However these machines are kind of slow too. Well I hope that was useful. - kremvax, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3For the most part, I think a current windows (xp, etc) would run like is sick pig on one of these boxes. Windows is targeted for a machine with more ram and a faster cpu.
By design Linux has a lot more inherent configuration flexibility , and can be very nicely configured to run on slower boxes with less ram overhead.
And the cost... If they had to bundle a windows license with this box, it would almost double the cost. Linux, free as in beer.
So ... a $100 linux box is real. $100 windows box... still hasn't been done. - justice7, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1+mod for you shrimpcrackers
even though you rebutted my statements -- they made sense. ++ !
- timmarhy, on 10/12/2007, -4/+14"I'm not trolling"
- EyeLike, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1might be able to use a mythtv frontend with this that would rock
- Hitchhiker90, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2What is the coax connector for? The system is not capable of recording video much less outputting it.
- camiller, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Thats probably an antena connector for wi-fi.
- timmarhy, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3it's not a coax plug, it's the anntena mount for the optional wifi module.
if you look closely you can see the outside is threaded
- stevex0r, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4This has a great form factor but it's 200mhz which isn't that hot. I could see this thing making a kick ass linux router if it had a second nic which would be great for monowall, smoothwall, ipcop.
- ShrimpCrackers, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Yeah I agree with Stevex0r, it could make an excellent smoothwall, etc etc, maybe I could buy a cheap USB 2.0 Ethernet port from Newegg and put it on this thing. In fact, I'm sure of it, perhaps that'll be enough?
- zoxed, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1OK: but what I want to know is: does it run HURD ?
- Goblinkiller, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1From the article: "The TU-40 is based on an unspecified 200MHz processor said to be x86-compatible"
HURD runs on x86 machines? Then it's very likely that it also runs on this machine.
- Goblinkiller, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1From the article: "The TU-40 is based on an unspecified 200MHz processor said to be x86-compatible"
- Goblinkiller, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Kickass music player, low-traffic webserver, fileserver, printerserver etc. I really like the idea of small cheap but real computers with which I can make my very own serverservice, music player etc. My fantasy then becomes the limit practically...
- gherikill, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Where the hell can you buy one? Where can you buy small 9" LCDs. I want one in my car.
- MoreBeer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0check the www.mp3car.com store for nice LCD touchscreens that will fit in a double DIN stereo opening... $250 for a 7".
- spectre_25gt, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3If only it had an extra ethernet port. This thing would make a sweet little router.
- stian, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Add a usb ethernet adapter..
- iyerganeshram, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I recently bought the $120 PC from Norhtec (the bangkok one) and while I ordered it on Sep 13th, I was told that they will only ship it out 1st week of Oct. total cost = $120 (for 1 unit) + $35 (shipping) +$35 (1 GB CF card with Puppy Linux) = $190. I pretty much need this type for surfing and some remote desktop stuff. So wanting to try something new - this seems like a good idea but waiting too long to receive one. hopefully there are no glitches once i receive it.
- mortrek, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Looks like its based on the Sis 55x SOC chipset, which uses an integrated version of the Rise MP6. That was a badass little CPU, as far as IPC goes.
Too bad Rise went out of business. Anyway, this should be faster than Geode-based computers and its cheap. If it came with a really cheap, high-capacity (a couple GB or more) drive, I'd be even more excited... - axxiom, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2This is one of those devices that you want to have just to have that you think you will put to use but probably won't. It's certainly got catch appeal.
I've got clients that want to switch from software based spam, anti-virus, and anti-piracy solutions to hardware based solutions. I think this device might work as a Smoothwall unit with a little tweaking. An enterprise hardware based firewall(only I have to know the truth that's all software anyway) for under $200 would be quite good. - ldog, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Doesn't say if it's capable of PXE/etherboot booting through its onboard NIC.
If it is, these would make perfect little thin clients for a Linux Terminal Server setup.- JQP123, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1These support PXEBoot: www.devonit.com
They're also more powerful (800 mhz vs.200) and once you factor in shipping from Taiwan, the cost is comparable. - Wootery, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1It does have an onboard NIC.
http://www.linuxdevices.com/files/misc/e-way_tu_tiny_pc-back.jpg - ldog, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@JQP123:
The devonit ones are cool(especially the 6020P), but this is only 100 bucks, and 200mhz is more than enough for an LTSP thin client.
@Wootery:
Just a NIC isn't enough, it has to have a BIOS that supports network booting in the form of PXE or etherboot. I don't see anything on linuxdevices or the product's website that can confirm network booting is possible without additional peripherals like a flash card or hard drive.
- JQP123, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1These support PXEBoot: www.devonit.com
- dvfreelancer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Wonder how something like this would work as a Linux wireless thin client? Now that would be interesting.
Even closer to $200 that iyerganeshram paid would make these worth trying out. If your major applications are web-based, like you should have been doing three years ago anyway, it's hard to justify a full desktop for browsing, spreadsheets, word processing and email.
I'm thinking a worker could carry their entire configuration and copies of their working docs on a 1 GB CF card and just pop it into any workstation not in use. Worth a look for that kind of money.- raffy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Yes, thanks - Puppy Linux is able to do that now. See the barebones version http://puppylinux.org/user/downloads.php?cat_id=1 to which HV3 browser may be added
http://www.murga.org/~puppy/viewtopic.php?t=8617&start=16 or try the CLI http://www.murga.org/~puppy/viewtopic.php?t=11361
- raffy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Yes, thanks - Puppy Linux is able to do that now. See the barebones version http://puppylinux.org/user/downloads.php?cat_id=1 to which HV3 browser may be added
- MateFrio, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Not that it helps much but here is the company website: http://www.ewayco.com/
- sweetnjguy29, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2200MHz x86-compatible for $100???? Are you kidding me? For a hundred bucks, you could get a used Pentium III 733MHz Desktop with a monitor.
- workingnonstop, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0That's exactly what I was thinking, sweetnjguy29...I can't see any way that a 200mhz computer for $100 is a good deal. Hell, I've thrown away computers faster than these.
- justice7, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3@sweetnjguy29
while i agree with what you've said...
I just have to comment on your chosen nickame.
There are perhaps, 98% men on this site. Are you in fact, by using that name, trying to portray that you are from NJ and are "Sweet" and a "Guy"?
Dude, get your RL friends, go to a bar, drink lots of beer and have a good time.. you'll care less about your online image ;P - rabidgoldfish, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Can you bolt that 733 PIII to the back of a monitor?
- workingnonstop, on 10/12/2007, -2/+0rabidgoldfish...
why couldn't you? Just get a bigger monitor! :P
Or buy a sff P3. It wouldn't be much bigger than this, and would still probably not put you over $100. - joelito, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2And then see how much you'll have to pay in your electric bill with your oldie PC compared to this little thing.
Don't get me wrong, I'm actually using a PC similar to what you're describing, but I can also see the use of something like this.
- phill, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2The Timex Sinclair 1000 was only $99. And that was 20 years ago.
- noGoodNamesLeft, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2TS-1000?
The TS - 1000 (U.S. version of the Sinclair ZX81) came with *2* kilobytes of memory as standard.
It had a black-and-white display, and no hi-res graphics, just a 32 x 22 character display which used "checkerboard" characters to support a low-res 64 x 44 pseudo-graphical display. (And that was back when "high resolution" was 256 x 192 upwards.)
It used an ordinary cassette player to load/save programs (and you had to supply that yourself).
By today's standards, it's indescribably *slooooooow*.
It was bloody great value at the time, and the first computer I used (or more specifically, the ZX81 was), but.... it's not that great a comparison.
And U.S. prices have more than doubled since then; consider what $200 will buy you today. Tech is *dirt cheap* nowadays.
- noGoodNamesLeft, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2TS-1000?
- lordhomer, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2Everything I see about this seems to point to it having USB 1.1 ports only. useless if so
- lyzz, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Somewhat agree. If the thing had usb 2.0, it would make a custom router box. At least will still have jjplus http://linux.jjplus.com/tour.htm . Of course, it's twice the cost though....
- ldog, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0USB 1.1 is 12Mbps which for most people would be plenty for their home connection on the WAN side with a USB NIC.
Use the onboard 10/100 for your LAN side.
Or just spend 50 bucks on a WRT54GL and put the dd-wrt firmware on it :) - JQP123, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0www.ntavo.com
Generally more powerful all around (800 mhz vs. 200, USB 2.0 vs 1.1) and comparable price ($149) once shipping from Taiwan is factored in. I'm using one of these to make this post. - lyzz, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Try streaming media off of a 12mbps connection sometime. It's not a good deal. You do realize that it's only 1.5 megabytes per second right? I am actually running an IpCop firewall using usb 1.1 nics, and let me say that it's dog slow on file transfers. For the internet connection it might be alright, but using it to transfer data from a dmz to a lan has serious speed issues. Bottom line, don't use usb 1.1 attached nics on a firewall box.
- ldog, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0@Iyzz
>>Try streaming media off of a 12mbps connection sometime. It's not a good deal.
What type of media? Real time HD video?
You can fit over 90 simultaneous realtime 128kbps mp3 audio streams through a 12mbps connection.
Like I said, use the USB for the WAN side. 12Mbps is about 10 T1 lines, which is more than most home users have. The unit in this article has an onboard 10/100 for the LAN side.
Don't know what ISP is allowing higher streaming than would be available through a 1.5 megaBYTE/s connection. Sure there's probably some out there, but nothing close to affordable in my part of the country.
- cubiculum, on 10/29/2007, -5/+1This is awesome. Now they might sell 100 instead of 10.
- raynevandunem, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I think that the lack of a hard drive for this PC calls for an alternative approach. I'd suggest using a virtual drive (like GDrive or GSpace via Gmail) via some Internet connection (wifi, for example), or (as with the MadTux LivePC) a USB card, for this type of PC if you want to store files or apps. The Internet will become increasingly cheaper as time goes by, so a PC that uses an online, web-based drive rather than a local hard drive case will have more going for it.
And I am *especially* glad that someone finally broke the US$100 barrier that holds many people (especially in the Third World and digitally-disadvantaged areas) back from buying a PC. Hopefully, more will show up for less before the decade runs out. - motang, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Wow that looks great, I am going to be getting one of this.
- unitedkronos, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2It seems that some of the people commenting above are missing the point, this is a cheap small silent system built for use with Linux. Sure, you could buy a 'better' Pentium 3 system with more ram for the same price, but general P3 systems don't come in a case the size of your palm and use no fans. And as for the people complaining there's no drive inside the system, it has a flash drive to use as standard, and has three USB slots you could use for an external drive as well.
- DECwakeboarder, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Those who are complaining about no built in hard drive should really just close this window as this type of computer isn't for you.
- raffy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0This unit can use a hard drive, a laptop hard drive.
But you may be missing the innovations: (1) the use of tiny, speedy Linux like PUPPY Linux; and (2) using hard drive substitutes like Compact Flash (CF), which is in many ways the NEW hard drive. Yes, its USB may be 1.1 but its CF slot is fast. See this comment above: "a worker could carry their entire configuration and copies of their working docs on a 1 GB CF card and just pop it into any workstation not in use. Worth a look"
Puppy Linux barebones with HV3 browser is perfect for this - see http://puppylinux.org/user/downloads.php?cat_id=1 - add packages as you see fit!
- raffy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0This unit can use a hard drive, a laptop hard drive.
Digg is coming to a city (and computer) near you! Check out all the details on our