CherryPal announces two-watt, Freescale-based cloud computer
By Donald Melanson 
posted June 18th 2008 5:23PM
posted June 18th 2008 5:23PM
It looks like the current ranks of green PCs are soon going to have some pretty daunting competition for the low-power throne, with upstart CherryPal announcing that it's about to bust out a cloud computer that'll consume a mere two watts of power. To hit that mark, CherryPal opted for Freescale's new 400MHz MPC5121e mobileGT processor, and eliminated all the moving parts normally found in a PC, which means no optical drive and 4GB of NAND flash memory in place of a regular hard drive. Otherwise, you can expect to get 256MB of RAM, built-in 802.11b/g WiFi, two USB 2.0 ports, an Ethernet port, and a VGA port, with a "tweaked version" of Debian apparently serving as the OS. No word on a price just yet, but the company is boldly proclaiming that it'll be the "most affordable on the market."
[Via The Register]
[Via The Register]
I want one, I wonder if it could run Asterisk?
There are many tasks this thing could do, just use your imagination.
EL:SKTJ:LSDKFJ:LSDFKJL:SDFKJ:SDLfjn
With two USB ports and a really stripped version of XP or any version of *nix this would make a perfect print/storage server. XP only needs about 400MB after an nLite strip and 400MHz is actually about 133MHz over the min. requirements.
I still think it will sell for about $99 or it won't sell.
This is not an x86 platform so a Microsoft OS is out of the question - viable operating systems would be MorphOS, AROS, QNX or a streamlined PPCLinux.
Interesting. My name is Jack Campbell. Actually, I am the guy who developed this new mini PowerPC platform, working as the Vice President/Strategic Development for Tsinghua Tongfang (yes, in China), leading an R&D project pairing our team with a team at Freescale in Austin. I would be happy to discuss the platform with anyone interested, via email at jack@aboutjack.com -- including the other MPC51221e-based products part of this line, thus far not mentioned by Seybold's outfit.
Max Seybold did *not* develop anything at all. This is an OEM project within THTF/Shenzhen, and Seybold has merely picked up the line and had "CherryPal" painted on the top. The THTF name for the line is LimePC. Search CES 2008 LimePC and learn about the roots of the project. Again, I originally conceived of and managed the development of this entire hardware and software line.
Oh, and as for pricing, configured as Seybold has announced, the BOM cost is about $182, so expect at *least* a US$299 list price.
I'm skeptical, or very excited. I don't know which yet
Lots of reports, and the website, says this thing runs Linux. It (and they) also claim it has iTunes. iTunes doesn't run on Linux, and even under WINE no one seems to be having a good experience yet. Could Cherrypal have fixed it?
That'd be cool...
With current prices of electricity in Finland, I might just get one to run my server.
Everyone here is forgetting the point of this product most people aren't geeks, like us they want the internet well then buy this thing and have fun I say. I'll still charge you through the nose to work on it, hhhhmmmmm new technology that's an upcharge.
I'm on the Brand Angels gig, if you want a discount use this code: CPP234
will let you know when I get mine, including unboxing photos.
Sure this is energy efficient, but if you use this with a CRT monitor you will be wrecking your savings.
I ordered fit-pc yesterday: http://www.fit-pc.com/new/
Price is comparable. Size too.
I think not one type of computer will ever be truly "green" in and for itself. Only an environmentally sound mentality will make a difference eventually... perhaps.
I prefer the fit-PC Slim... It's better and at about the same price