We know we expend a lot of digital ink talking about
oomph and
va va voom, but sometimes you just need a computer you can give to your old grandpappy and let him go wild with the
Reader's Digest online edition. The
Linutop 3, sporting a custom Linux OS atop a blistering 1GHz
VIA C7 CPU, 1GB of RAM and a tremendously capacious 2GB SSD, is just that sort of machine. It asks for a mere €340 ($485) and 20 watts of power, and lets you expand storage by adding an internal hard drive or plugging a memory stick into one of six available USB ports. Sure, you're unlikely to use it for more than the bundled Open Office and Firefox applications, but have you considered this thing's potential after bumping that clock multiplier and dipping the whole thing in liquid nitrogen?
Have you?
[Via
The Register]
posted Sep 5th 2009 6:31AM
FAIL... This item should retail for $149 tops.
Completely agree. You can get a real PC for about the same price.
BTW, I just received offers ranging from 299 to 399 € with Intel (not Atom) or AMD CPU, large HDD, several MB RAM and DVD writer. This thing should be much cheaper to have any appeal.
Also I assume that does not include the monitor, so add 100+ €. For that you can have a complete laptop.
what's the difference between the Reader's Digest online edition and Engadget?
2GB SSD Storage the linux distro probably takes most it up
1GHz Via, Vias are known for struggling with more than 1 app open
This Destop has no realistic use other than to prove it runs on minimal specs
Plus you can get phones more powerfull than those specs
I could see this computer being $485 if it came with Windows... and if the monitor came with it.
@EIH8T
Journalistic integrity and the ability to separate opinion and fact when reviewing products for their reader base.
It's the first thing I think of, Engadget.
Moar info on Linux distrobution plox... Is it Gentoo? this would be epic.
An epic fail.
is'nt a netbook a better option at this price point?...Some of them have more juice with fewer wires and attachments and why does my grandpappy need an SSD:)?
Because it's cheaper than a big HDD.
Well Gb for Gb its not.
Say the OS takes up 1.5Gb, that leaves very little for pictures, documents and stuff.
I know that this is probably intended just for internet/email but please.
@Martin
I dont think so.I can get a slow 40GB HDD for $20 in my hometown.Unless this OS is USB bootable, no SSD can be cheaper than that.
$485 isnt cheaper than anything, but a mac.
This thing is much too expensive for what it can do.
I agree, why so $$$$??
What? Asrock ION 330 is around 330$ here. Dualcore 1.6Ghz Atom, 320GB 5.4kRPM HD, 2GB RAM, ION GPU. Install Linux (free) or Windows (~100-150$).
Definitely a huge fail. Any choice of the other nettops with same or better specs at much less cost. Even on Techbargains right now they have a deal for a Dell Optiplex 360 Mini Tower for $429.
Intel Dual Core E5300 @ 2.6GHz; 2GB RAM; 160GB HDD; DVD burner w/ software; Vista Home Basic; 3yr warranty; mouse/keyboard included
And it includes a 22" screen.
So even if that included a screen that is a sad deal. Maybe that is not going to be the actual US price and they are just doing the currency conversion? Nvm, just read the end of the article...next!
no cheapskates, this.. you can get Nvidia Ion for thsi price..
I HOPE that includes the monitor and keyboard....
Not a great deal even if it does...
Ew, 2 GB SSD and a silly C7 CPU for that price tag? Unless it includes a 20-inch LCD monitor, that doesn't make any sense (and even then, it's still full of fail).
I'm a cheapskate and i made a decent gaming rig for $400 last year
AMD 5200+
4GB RAM
8800GTS (Refurb)
Case with 3 fans
Asus Motherboard
Vista Ultimate 64-Bit(pirated :p)
This is a total FAIL.
A made a near identical rig a month ago for $240 (but only after mail-in rebates :( ).
AMD 6000+
4GB RAM
9600 GTS (Identical to 8800 GTS, from what I've heard)
Case with 5 fans (free, already had)
ECS Motherboard
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit (still pirated :P )
Sort of shows how prices go down, I suppose.
I got an Asus with a 2.5Ghz dual core and 4gigs of ram running Vista64, 500G HDD, wireless peripherals, etc etc, for only $450 @ BestBuy (comsumer whore I know). But damn, they want more for this thing and it looks like a children's toy.
I agree with everyone, this is far too expensive, i think even a average consumer would regonise that.
Can get a real laptop for that money....
Snide about this, OK, but at the same time raving about ATOM powered 'desktop' 'computers' all the time, not very consistent then are we?
Even if it comes with the monitor, it's overpriced by $100.
You can get a full-fledged dual core laptop (15-16" screen size range) for the same price OR cheaper!
to expensive
People dissing this for being the same price as a C2D or similar low-end machine are missing several major points.
First: Cost is not just at point of purchase, it's domainated in fact by lifetime energy costs. At such low wattage, the real cost of this device is several multiples lower than any C2D or similar.
Second: It's totally silent, you whiney fan noise lovers.
Third: The C7 chip is interesting. It usually fails to shine at Windows, because those OSes are are made for Intel/AMD. But using the right libraries on Linux, the C7 can use Via's hardware AES encryption engine, something Intel is not due to have on shipping chips for another few years. If you are at all into your own privacy, or cracking your neighbor's privacy, then a 1GHz C7 can hold its own with even the fastest i7s for encryption-heavy tasks, and do it for literally a tenth the wattage. This is a real win.
I don't think my grandpappy - or anyone else's - will care how well this can handle cracking or encryption.
yea...I was gonna say. I'm a cheapskate and there's no way!
Hell for $400 I can get a nice desktop or laptop at sites like www.mycheaptech.net & forums.slickdeals.net are sure this post is not from 4 years ago?
1. yes its too expensive if without monitor
2. USD200 of price tag should be OK
3. Consider developing country buyer and/or for kids for pure internet usage should be OK
Locally I can get a 1.6 GHz Atom with 160GB HDD SATA and 1 GB of RAM for $180 (sans Monitor), I can easily install there Ubuntu 9.04 instead of 8.04. Add some $120 bucks for a nice/cheap LCD monitor, this now brings us to $300 bucks for a Desktop to be used in Office environment, that shouldn't consume as much electricity as any of the old rigs that it's replacing and that easily OUTPERFORMS the linutop.
One thing though, you get the ATX case instead (because they are cheaper and come with speakers, keyboard and mouse).
Gamers and HTPC enthusiasts could/should wait for some Ion infussions.
locally where ? USD180 is a very good buy ...
ASRock ION 330 with linux will ridicule this every day in graphs so graphical it boggles the mind.
Meerkat Ion NetTop 349$ http://system76.com/product_info.php?cPath=27&products_id=95