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ASUS hops on the AMD train with Geode-based Eee PC 1201K
AMD has picked up a fair bit of ground in the netbook space lately with support from the likes of HP and Acer, and it looks like it's now added yet another big partner -- ASUS is relying on some AMD hardware for its just-announced Eee PC 1201K netbook. That's an AMD Geode NX 1750 processor backed up by a SiS 741GX/966L chipset, to be specific, which is complemented by some mostly ordinary specs otherwise, including a 1GB of RAM, a 320GB hard drive, a 0.3-megapixel webcam, a built-in memory card reader and, somewhat interestingly in light of yesterday's news, Windows XP Home for an OS. No word on pricing or availability just yet, but you can check out the complete spec list and a few more images at the link below.
fit-PC slim, the 'world's smallest PC' -- just don't lose it on your desk
fit-PC Slim is billed as the "smallest, most energy efficient PC available," and at 13 ounces it just might be. Slim is housed in a 330cc enclosure (4.3 x 3.9 x 1.2 inches), draws a mere 6 watts of power, and like the Linutop 2, runs on a 500MHz AMD Geode. This machine is available in a pared-down 256MB configuration (sans WiFi, hard drive) for $220; a 512MB WiFi version (with no hard drive) for $245; or go all out with the 512MB / WiFi / 60GB hard disk version pre-installed with either Ubuntu or Windows XP Home SP3, for $295 or $335, respectively.[Via LinuxDevices]
The Linutop 2 gets green on your desktop
If you're after a really, really low power, small footprint, generally inoffensive desktop solution, you probably can't do better than the new Linutop 2. This miniscule, Xubuntu-based system runs on top of a 500MHz AMD Geode CPU, packs in 512MB of RAM, and 1GB of flash memory, you know, for applications and stuff. Of course, the draw here isn't massive specs, but rather a tiny drain on energy, and a simple, cheap solution for people with basic computing needs. Amazingly, the Linutop 2 uses only 8 watts of power, and weighs a feather-light 20 ounces. The miniature box also has four USB ports, an ethernet jack, audio outs, and comes bundled with open source gems like AbiWord, Open Office, and your good buddy, Firefox. The little guy starts shipping on February 26th for €280, or about $412.[Via LinuxDevices]
Cow milking robots
Swedish company DeLaval specializes in "cow comfort" products including the Voluntary Milking System. You see, a cozy independent cow is a happy cow and that makes for an increase in milk yield, dig? The VMS is powered by embedded Linux 2.4.18 running on an AMD Geode GX1 200MHz processor - a single system can milk a herd of 60 cows three times a day. This gives farmers more time to kick back, relax and presumably drunk-milk their friends and pets. When the cow feels the need, she enters the stall where a laser and photo-sensor guided robotic arm searches for, cleans, and then milks each of the four teats. Milk flow, quantity and time is monitored and compared to historical data as early indicators of illness or injury. Be sure to check out the vids for plenty of hot lactating bovine action.
