Thursday, May 31st 2012
Linux Mint and Compulab Take on Chromebox with FitPC3
The people behind the slick and popular Debian-derivative Linux Mint, and Compulab released sketches of their upcoming nettop, the FitPC3. The two have been working on the project since late 2011. FitPC3 is a desktop that's powerful enough for internet, email, and basic computing. Unlike the Google-Samsung Chromebox, which runs Intel Atom and Chrome OS, the FitPC3 runs AMD G-Series T40N and T56N APUs and a highly-optimized variant of Linux Mint 12, featuring MATE 1.2 and XBMC.
Illustrated below, are two models on the drawing boards at Compulab, the first one features on value, basic, LP variants, while the other, on the Pro variant. Connectivity is aplenty, with six USB 2.0, two USB 3.0, and two eSATA ports; HDMI and DisplayPort display outputs; stereo audio; gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n, and Bluetooth 3.0 handling connectivity.The G-Series T40N and T56N APUs are based on the 40 nm Brazos silicon, and will be backed by AMD A55 FCH and up to 8 GB of DDR3-1066 MHz memory. The APU embeds AMD Radeon HD 6250 graphics, which can handle resolutions up to 1920x1200 smoothly. Storage is care of a 2.5-inch SATA HDD. Although the FitPC3 only has stereo analog audio, the HDMI port gives out 7.1 channel digital audio. The FitPC3 will capture various value price-points, and looks to capture a big slice of the nettop market.Find detailed specifications here (PDF).
Source:
FanlessTech
Illustrated below, are two models on the drawing boards at Compulab, the first one features on value, basic, LP variants, while the other, on the Pro variant. Connectivity is aplenty, with six USB 2.0, two USB 3.0, and two eSATA ports; HDMI and DisplayPort display outputs; stereo audio; gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n, and Bluetooth 3.0 handling connectivity.The G-Series T40N and T56N APUs are based on the 40 nm Brazos silicon, and will be backed by AMD A55 FCH and up to 8 GB of DDR3-1066 MHz memory. The APU embeds AMD Radeon HD 6250 graphics, which can handle resolutions up to 1920x1200 smoothly. Storage is care of a 2.5-inch SATA HDD. Although the FitPC3 only has stereo analog audio, the HDMI port gives out 7.1 channel digital audio. The FitPC3 will capture various value price-points, and looks to capture a big slice of the nettop market.Find detailed specifications here (PDF).
3 Comments on Linux Mint and Compulab Take on Chromebox with FitPC3
Oh yeah.....Codecs are just one click away...LOL
Although, I do commend the use of Linux Mint and XBMC, and having a native HDMI port is a selling point against the chromebox (DVI + 2xDP), as well as USB 3.0 too.
While not much of an issue for me; the 23.976Hz video playback issue is still a sore point with Intel atm (although apparently improved in the more recent HD4000 IGP), keeping this in check would be an extra edge for the AMD based device (again not much of an issue for me personally but it would be good for consumer confidence [the niggling 'what else is broke' thoughts] ). :confused: