Pocket-sized PC runs Linux (LinuxDevices) [LWN.net]

LinuxDevices looks at the Linutop PC. "Linutop claims that its Linutop PC draws "less than 6 Watts" -- less energy than many computing appliances such as printers and scanners dissipate in standby mode. The device measures 3.7 x 1.1 x 5.9 inches (9.3 x 2.7 x 15 cm), and weighs 9.9 ounces (280 grams). Its compact wall-wart-style power supply incorporates a European-style plug."

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Spec similar to OLPC....

Posted May 15, 2007 19:08 UTC (Tue) by endecotp (guest, #36428) [Link] (3 responses)

The spec of the Linutop is similar to the OLPC: both have a Geode processor and 256 MBytes of RAM. However, the OLPC also has a screen, keyboard, touchpad, wifi and camera - and it costs a lot less.

Spec similar to OLPC....

Posted May 15, 2007 20:34 UTC (Tue) by ncm (guest, #165) [Link] (2 responses)

The Linutop has, for now, the advantage of availability.

Spec similar to OLPC....

Posted May 15, 2007 20:47 UTC (Tue) by drag (guest, #31333) [Link] (1 responses)

And the OLPC was never intended to be sold commercially and is heavily subsidised by everybody involved.

Spec similar to OLPC....

Posted May 15, 2007 21:38 UTC (Tue) by i3839 (guest, #31386) [Link]

As far as I know, the subsidising is only for the development, not for the hardware itself, which is sold without profit, though not for less than the manifacturing cost.

This mini pc consist of existing parts thrown together, maybe they needed to make the motherboard, if at all, but nothing else.

The reason the OLPC is cheaper is because of the mass production.

I wonder where the 6 Watt comes from, if the CPU only uses 0.8, it means the rest uses 5.

Pocket-sized PC runs Linux (LinuxDevices)

Posted May 15, 2007 20:33 UTC (Tue) by AnswerGuy (guest, #1256) [Link] (2 responses)

Sounds pretty much like any of the Soekris boxes ... but pre-assembled and with Xubuntu pre-installed.

Sounds like it would be a good system for running little NTP servers and other appliances. The single 10/100 interface makes it useless as a custom router (unless you go with a USB ether adapter which sounds like a really bad idea --- I've heard that those are too flaky for more than occasional use).

By contrast the latest top-of-the-line Soekris net5501-70 is about the same price ($380) and comes with a 500MHz Geode CPU and 512MB of RAM and four(!) 10/100Mbps ethernet interfaces. (No VGA ... but there's a PCI slot to add one).

So, I think I know where I'd spend my money on this one. Nice hype, though. The package and pre-installation will garner some customers --- and it manufacturers of the Linutop are local to Europe --- so that will have some appeal in that market.

Jim Dennis

Pocket-sized PC runs Linux (LinuxDevices)

Posted May 15, 2007 21:21 UTC (Tue) by MrFoolish (guest, #45277) [Link]

It _might_ just be worth noting that the dimensions of the Linutop are 3.7 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches, while the dimensions of the Soekris with their "standard case" are 6.7 x 11.4 x 1.3 inches (from this page). That is a _bit_ of a size difference. :)

Of course, nowadays there are many devices like this. Here's one which runs Gentoo, this one comes with nothing, but appears to be designed as a Linux-based thin client, and of course these guys make some really tiny Linux systems (just to name a few).

Thanks for the Soekris link

Posted May 16, 2007 12:33 UTC (Wed) by Duncan (guest, #6647) [Link]

Those Soekris boards/boxes look /perfect/ for routers. My perfect
dream router box, Linux based, up to 4 independent Ethernet ports onboard,
expanding to 8 if one chooses the 4-port Ethernet PCI card option, or get
the T1 PCI card option, all available bare-board or with case/ps/etc.
Even SATA or 2.5 inch IDE expansion jacks, to host a nice personal/SOHO
web server on if desired, if it doesn't get too fancy and need more CPU
power. All x86 based, too, for widest compatibility. =8^)

I had been looking for such a thing, but all the articles seem to be about
stuff like the pocket sized unit in the main article here, single
Ethernet, a bunch of other stuff, obviously /not/ designed with routing
usage in mind, so that Soekris link was just what I was after. =8^)

Duncan

Pocket-sized PC runs Linux (LinuxDevices)

Posted May 16, 2007 7:07 UTC (Wed) by taniel (guest, #4588) [Link] (1 responses)

This is actually a design from an Estonian company -- original name is ThinCan ( www.thincan.com )
The news about partnership with Linutop is here -- http://www.artecgroup.com/news/latest/new-oem-partners-fo...

ThinCan

Posted May 18, 2007 6:07 UTC (Fri) by xoddam (subscriber, #2322) [Link]

That's a great name!

Pocket-sized PC runs Linux (LinuxDevices)

Posted May 16, 2007 11:07 UTC (Wed) by macc (guest, #510) [Link]

Transtec sells something similar for about the same price:

http://www.transtec.co.uk/GB/E/products/personal_computer...

looked into those for a mini asterisk app