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Topic: "Tiny, sub-$100 PC runs Puppy Linux", Fanless, boots linux via CF/USB/net

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dougz

Group: Members
Posts: 78
Joined: May 2006

Posted: Aug. 25 2006,14:20

Quote

A Bangkok-based company is shipping a tiny, sub-$100 PC capable of running Puppy and other lightweight Linux distributions. NorhTec's MicroClient Jr. measures 4.5 inches square, draws 8 Watts, and has a 166MHz Pentium-compatible processor with three integer units. LinuxDevices article

Can mount on back of VESA LCD display. USD$120/single unit, including power supply. More info on the hardware:
Overview
Details

hs7sv

Group: Members
Posts: 247
Joined: June 2005

Posted: Aug. 26 2006,14:23

It looks nice. I want to test DSL on it.

--------------
"My advice is to just return hardware that does not work with a plain Linux kernel, right to the place where you bought it, and ask for your money back..."

Klaus Knopper

roberts

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Joined: Oct. 2003

Posted: Aug. 27 2006,20:14

About a year ago, John had DSL on an ebox tiny computer.
A 200Mhz, 128MB, disk-on-a-chip, three USB ports, 10/100 ethernet, sound and bootable USB 1.1 a silent fanless hand-sized box very similiar to this.

But with only a 166Mhz and still only USB1.1, I think I will pass.
You could get a used lappie with those specs and have it all, screen, keyboard, and mouse.

John

Group: Super Administrators
Posts: 697
Joined: Sep. 2003

Posted: Aug. 28 2006,06:11

Just to chime in, I was considering selling these units (still can) but the performance was to slow -- you have to remember that these machines (like the Puppy unit) are running without a hard drive and therefore do not have a swap too. I've found the lower limit for practical use without a swap to be 256MB. Such a unit could make a fine low power server, maybe mp3 streamer, but it was just too slow for desktop use.

I'd much rather have something like the DSM:
http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/store....Machine

I still use that unit daily, on it now :-).

dougz

Group: Members
Posts: 78
Joined: May 2006

Posted: Aug. 31 2006,23:11

Agree with John and Roberts about the performance. The machine makes more sense as a thin client, kiosk, or demo box.

OTOH, the idea of making a tiny box that can mount on the back of a standard LCD is brilliant packaging, IMHO. Also, I have to applaud DSL, Puppy, etc. for encouraging the use of older or more efficient hardware.

While my taste may run to John's "Damn Small Machine," my wallet puts me more in mind of "John's cheap little mini" or a used "obsolete" laptop.

(I know mini -- I used to do hardware & software for Intel 8048 controller-based instruments. Before that, I did lab automation in Forth. Talk about mini!) :;):

17 replies since Aug. 25 2006,14:20

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Damn Small Linux Board » Non-DSL Topics » Hardware Talk » "Tiny, sub-$100 PC runs Puppy Linux"