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Saintsong Releases A New Mini PC

Posted by Hemos on from the pretty-new-hardware dept.

A reader writes "Saintsong, our favorite manufacturer of tiny PC's (see here and here) is at it again. They've released the TX2 version of the Cappuccino PC everyone drooled over not to long ago. It's designed by Gingko corp., the same folks who designed the iMac. The new unit includes 2 Firewire ports and an additional 2 USB ports over it's predecessor, the Cappuccino GX1. Unfortunately it appears that Saintsong is only distributing it in kit form, so you'll have to supply your own socket 370 processor, RAM, hdd, etc. No prices are listed, but it's still a slick looking toy."

9 of 123 comments (clear)

  1. Prices by Fencepost · · Score: 3, Interesting
    Minimal config (Celeron 700, 128MB, 10GB, CD) runs around $1000; better config (PIII-866, 256MB, 30GB, DVD) runs around $1600. Both of these are with no OS.

    In contrast, I can get a Dell Inspiron 8100 with not-quite-comparable specs for $1700-1800 (Dell's improvement prices are steep) or a WinBook with very similar specs for about the same. Oh, and those include a built-in UPS, a keyboard, and a monitor.

    Overall an interesting toy, but I can't really see what advantages it has. With all the ports on the sides and back there'll be cables sticking out all over (besides, it needs airflow) and the fourth side has to be kept clear for the CD/DVD drive. I can see it as a prototype for a gaming or set-top box, but that's about it.

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    fencepost
    just a little off
  2. Its tiny by Nastard · · Score: 3, Interesting

    It looks kinda like a fat walkman. The idea that this thing can fit current technology (hdd, cpu, etc) is a pretty good indicator that "wearable" computers and other supercool technology isn't too far behind (in usable form, that is).

    And yes, I can imagine a beowulf cluster of these.

    1. Re:Its tiny by Nastard · · Score: 3, Interesting

      High-resolution goggles that don't look retarded and similarly non-retarded motion-sensor gloves would be the best answer (that I can think of, anyway).

      Optional solution: REALLY fast PDA.

  3. When is... by swordboy · · Score: 5, Interesting

    When is the industry going to realize that we need a new compact format PC. This thing looks great but its pricey when you compare it to the costs of off the shelf components.

    How about a "disposable" PC form factor? Currently, you can get a mini-ATX with integrated LAN/video/modem/sound for well under $100 US. Pitch the dimm slots, processor ZIF socket, and PCI/ISA slots for non-expandable, non-upgradeable permanant RAM, processor and a firewire or USB expansion standard. This would cut even more overhead off the cost of the individual components. Buy them all on one small board. This improves reliability in harsh environments as well. Screw upgrading things on an individual basis. You can get a Duron 750 for under $30. Have you seen the price of RAM these days?

    There is so much computing power to be leveraged by other markets. This may very well be the thing that brings the PC to other markets.

    --

    Life is the leading cause of death in America.
    1. Re:When is... by mcspock · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I think the end result will be less reliance on a central PC. If you look at it right now, the only people who really _need_ a serious PC are: 1) Gamers
      2) Software developers
      3) Graphics artists (i'll argue that lots of these use Macs :))

      Having cheap individual devices will be the direction things will go, but not using PC parts. If you're interested in browsing the web, does it matter what the underlying hardware is? No. And there are cheaper processors available (like xscale). This is the general thought behind embedded devices being the future.

      It's funny that we're supposedly in the era where the network is king, but people are still spending a lot of money on PCs, which are inherently centralized multi-purpose devices (instead of decentralized, purpose-built, network enabled devices).

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      -- Patience is a virtue, but impatience is an art.
  4. Before you judge small PCs.... by reaper20 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    While visiting a friend for an extended stay, he lent me his Book PC to anything I needed to do. I thought "Thanks, he won't lend me a laptop or anything, I get stuck with a 'convergence' crap box that probably sucks." I was extremely surprised about how easy and fun this little thing is.

    Add a processor, mem, and drive, and it's good to go. Great form factor and most everything is built into the mobo, sound, USB, ethernet, and even a TV out. The intel iCrap chipset needs to go, but other than that, a BookPC with a Happy Hacker keyboard look great and run linux extremely well (except for the modem).

    If they only had one for Athlon chips, you'd have an extremely capbale '2nd computer'. I'm going to pick one up the second they have better video cards.

  5. Power Requirements by oldzoot · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Too bad it wants 18Vdc at 3A. If it were lower voltage, it would be trivial to power it from a car. Might make a neat auto-mobile computer. Also, I wonder why they will not support 512K memory modules??

    Z

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    enough is too much
  6. Adlib compatible! by los+furtive · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Wow! People still use Adlib? I though Creative/Soundblaster nuked them off the face of the earth!

    --

    I'm a writer, a poet, a genius, I know it. I don't buy software, I grow it.

  7. drop the modem...add a 2nd NIC by Windjammer · · Score: 3, Interesting

    This thing would be very cool if they would drop the friggen modem and add a 2nd nic interface. I'd have my boss purchase one of these devices simply to make the thing into a firewall/proxy server......I know that I wanted to build one of those linux advanced radio terminals (lart)...but I don't have the $$$ or the experience to build the **** thing...

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    What? Me worry? NEVER.....