2 Watt PC Here, Sufficient Power for Cloud-computing

[btarunr]

A relatively unknown brand, Cherrypal introduced a PC module dubbed 'cloud computer'. It carries a price tag of US $250. Sure you do find pre-owned full-size PCs for that price, but just think of it: this PC consumes a mere 2W of power when idle (excludes the consumption of monitor and other peripherals).

On the features front, there's enough computing power to get you onto the internet, it is driven by a 400 MHz Freescale MPC5121e mobileGT triple-core processor, 256 MB DDR2 memory and 4 GB of NAND flash memory to store the OS, a Debian-derived Linux OS, Mozilla Firefox as the core internet application (supports all add-ons and Linux media plugins). 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi, two USB ports, an Ethernet port, VGA out, and stereo audio out. It beats the $929 VidaBox PC convincingly at its price-point. Sure, such devices are mere toys for average users like us sitting cozy with powerful gaming PCs, but such devices are a step in the right direction, towards Cloud Computing.

Cloud computing, a new buzzword in the computing industry, is the computing methodology where software is thin and light, and streamed onto a computer. A user accesses software either freely or on a subscription basis. All you need is a standards compiant web-browser, OS isn't a factor. This has gotten players such as Microsoft, Google, Adobe and others looking up to it as the next big thing. You don't need to buy those installation discs and throw gigabytes of hard-drive space at applications anymore.



Source: TG Daily

[tkpenalty]

A mini ITX 4850e + 780G system fully loaded with legitimate Vista home premium would cost far less than that!

I want a PC that costs $50. Yes $50. Technically possible but its not happening.

[WhiteLotus]

Originally Posted by tkpenalty

A mini ITX 4850e + 780G system fully loaded with legitimate Vista home premium would cost far less than that!

I want a PC that costs $50. Yes $50. Technically possible but its not happening.

yes but would it run on 2W?

[btarunr]

Originally Posted by tkpenalty

A mini ITX 4850e + 780G system fully loaded with legitimate Vista home premium would cost far less than that!

I want a PC that costs $50. Yes $50. Technically possible but its not happening.

What's the price of that Minix 780G ITX board?

[robodude666]

Originally Posted by btarunr

What's the price of that Minix 780G ITX board?

mini-ITX boards go for between $100 to $200. The mini-ITX 780G board is expected for about $175 from what I've read. You are then required to get a CPU, power brick/micro-PSU, HDD (CF, flash drive, or SSD), RAM, and a wireless card to match the feature list of the Cherry. With all of that added up, you'll end up at around $300-400. You'll end up with a more expandable, powerful system but the power requirements are slightly higher.

If you want to build a low-power system then the best bet is to start off with a Pico-ITX or Nano-ITX board which consumes 5-20w, though this comes in at a nice price of $200-300 for the motherboard/cpu combo. You'll still need RAM, storage and a micro-PSU.

The 2w power requirement makes me wonder. That is the idle power, correct? How much does it take up under 50% or 100% load? I'm sure using wireless, usb ports, ethernet, etc will cause it to ramp up to 5-10w correct? Makes me wonder how good would it be at F@H.

I think this is a fantastic product. I just wish it didn't have the enclosure of a DIY project. A nicer box, rear I/O area, and blue VGA connector would of made it a little nicer looking. Overall the enclosure is pretty good though otherwise. With that $250 price tag, you also get free Cloud service from CherryPal with 50GB of online storage, and a bunch of other things. Services like this would cost hundreds extra from other companies.

I like the idea of this "cloud" computing, but I dislike the idea of a company holding my applications. I bought a program which means I should be able to get the installation CDs/DVDs required for it, and have it stored on my computer. I don't want some large company to store all of my stuff.

[hat]

heh, a 400MHz triple core. Does anyone find this odd? I would rather have a single at 1200mhz

[tkpenalty]

Originally Posted by hat

heh, a 400MHz triple core. Does anyone find this odd? I would rather have a single at 1200mhz

what?

I don't really find it odd. Its fast enough to browse the web and for you to type stuff... its not supposed to be for any gaming at all.

Freescale too...

[Mussels]

its a virus proof internet box for your mother, that uses next to no power and would go nicely with a cordless mouse and keyboard to a HDTV.

[KieranD]

id hate to see loading times on this!
they say its the future but right now internet isnt fast enough to stream apps which is effectively what its doing

id rather have a real pc than this becasue on a real pc you can do all sorts of stuff this probly cant and you can get linux free

nice idea for the future but its going to be slow right now

by the time this becomes usable for lots more than internet we will have pcs that are all just one chip or really small like that and consume hardly anything and memory cards will be 100gb and on the cheap

[KieranD]

anyone remember that phantom console that was basically steam style downloads instead of optical disks?

[btarunr]

Sufficient power doesn't mean slow. GMail is an AJAX application. CC apps will be similar.

[OnionMan]

This is great.. And pretty cheap too..

I think some are wanting a 5w system that performs like their gaming rig.. Tho that would be cool, it's most unlikely.. At least for now..

400Mhz, I think some of the kids forget that we were gaming on single core 900Mhz P3's 8 years ago.. 400Mhz is plenty fast enough for web browsing and movie watching.. Moms and Pops aren't interested in gaming or editing..

@ $250 what ITX gaming system could you build TK? Heck the ITX board without a processor or Gfx is near $200.. If you can build one that cheap let me know, I would be interested in a rig like that..

As an A/V tech, I look forward to things like this.. One day soon we should start seeing 'in wall pcs' that take up no more room than a 'double gang' wall plate..

[KainXS]

if this thing ran windows I could run my magicjack on there 24/7, I want that, wish it was like 100 bucks though

[FAXA]

I'm thinking of buying this actually...

I have two 250GB external USB drives so i could plug them in, and then just download stuff all night long without worrying about a awful electricity bill.

[Baum]

why would i buying this?
for that money i would buy an old Computer if i need one to surf around.

i don't like this device because:

1. Why the hell does this small thing just have a switch to turn it off 0W??
-Embedded systems boot fast if they are god config.

2.Why is it expensive? (even in usd)
Anyone buying this for surfing should think of this,
-Old Pc are cheaper and powerful enought for the internet as this is not considered fast
-Enviroment friendly as they are already produced
-Fast enough to be ready in time (Pageload ect.)
-They boot slower, but do more work than this box
- Virussafe if you use the right OS

3.My time is valuable and i don't spent it with slow embedded devices for surfing!
-If i buy something special for surfing it should do the job fine or i'm going to throw it out of the window
-Idling doen's coun't as i would use it or turn off!

3ple

Just ripoff, a gadget that nobody need's and i'm nuts for these bad advertising
too many firms jump on the green energy train and use the fear of everybody just to make some more money without.

Sorry guy's don't get it wrong but using embedded systems for surfing is nice as long they well made or I'll eat my hat!

The Price is -249- Dollar
Check out:
http://72.51.37.17/

[btarunr]

Originally Posted by moto666

The Price is -249- Dollar
Check out:
http://72.51.37.17/

OMG a full 1 dollar cheaper than in the news post

by: moto666;894940The Price is -249- Dollar
Check out:
http://72.51.37.17/

"OMG a full 1 dollar cheaper than in the news post "

A Dollar is a Dollar!

[ghost101]

2W? I'll wait for the reviews because atm I dont believe it.

[Chewy]

A fully loaded m-itx costing less than this? I cant see it for if it is true I will buy one myself.

Ive seen a m-itx mobo going for $70 in Canada though, so you might be right :P just the cases I was looking at range from $50-200. So yeah my build was going to be like $400 lol I dont need it so didnt bother.. my pci tv tuner card wouldnt fit into any of the m-itx cases I dont think so that drew me away too.

[Darkrealms]

I'm sure "cloud-computing" is the way for the average not-users. For anyone that owns and actually uses a computer though I don't think this system is efficient.
It should be for people that don't use computers to get into the tech market, then find out they want a real one after 6 months.

[phanbuey]

Originally Posted by robodude666

I like the idea of this "cloud" computing, but I dislike the idea of a company holding my applications. I bought a program which means I should be able to get the installation CDs/DVDs required for it, and have it stored on my computer. I don't want some large company to store all of my stuff.

erm... I think its the other way around... thin client computing means that all your stuff is not stored on ur PC... THAT tiny thing IS your PC... and you run applications and such off of a larger server.

All you have stored on that is/are your configuration files, as well as a remote access proggy, and all the processing would be done on their mainframe ~ so if you have a fast enough connection, it can be as powerful as the server youre connected to.

Since corporations own all of the work that you do for them, and want to keep it confidential, this is perfect for them. This is a good step for remote access ... so i can save some GAS!!!!.

[AsRock]

Very very very cool. Can you run IM messengers on them ?.. surely sooner or later right ?.. As that be perfect as i would not have to run 200w idle system.

I'd grab one if i could run Teamspeak and a IM messenger of it..

[robodude666]

Originally Posted by phanbuey

erm... I think its the other way around... thin client computing means that all your stuff is not stored on ur PC... THAT tiny thing IS your PC... and you run applications and such off of a larger server.

All you have stored on that is/are your configuration files, as well as a remote access proggy, and all the processing would be done on their mainframe ~ so if you have a fast enough connection, it can be as powerful as the server youre connected to.

Since corporations own all of the work that you do for them, and want to keep it confidential, this is perfect for them. This is a good step for remote access ... so i can save some GAS!!!!.

No, I understand how it works. I'm just saying I don't like the idea of me spending good $$$ on software but to use it I need to remote access their system. If I paid money for something, I want the DVD, manual and fancy box that comes with it so I can install it on my system and use it without having an overlord look down on me. I don't like the idea of a corporation owning something after I bought it from them.

[Darkrealms]

Originally Posted by AsRock

Very very very cool. Can you run IM messengers on them ?.. surely sooner or later right ?.. As that be perfect as i would not have to run 200w idle system.

I'd grab one if i could run Teamspeak and a IM messenger of it..

Thats a good point, hadn't thought of it like that. It would be easy to run this thing in the background for misc stuff while your gaming on your primary system. Teamspeak woudn't interfear with games anymore, lol.

Originally Posted by robodude666

No, I understand how it works. I'm just saying I don't like the idea of me spending good $$$ on software but to use it I need to remote access their system. If I paid money for something, I want the DVD, manual and fancy box that comes with it so I can install it on my system and use it without having an overlord look down on me. I don't like the idea of a corporation owning something after I bought it from them.

I agree with that point of view. Although I don't mind downloading the program and burning it to a disc myself. I do like having the hard copy and being able to do it myself/maintain it myself.

I think for the masses that don't understand this may not be a bad thing:
Pay:
* $50 a month (just a number)
Get:
* Storage space
* Programs
* Updates
* Etc
* Computer crashes, replace and reconnect to information with no loss.

Not for me!