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Single-Chip Linux Computer
goombah99 writes "Axis Computer has announced a single-chip Linux-based computer that integrates 2MB Flash, 8MB SDRAM and an Ethernet transceiver into a single chip with a 27mm x 27mm footprint. 'Just add power to the chip and you have a Linux computer with network connection.' It runs the Linux 2.4 kernel without any patches. The announcement says the chip is 'available' but the tech specs are labeled as preliminary, and the order form on the web site is broken, so it's hard to confirm if it is out yet or not. Some specifications in html and pdf are available at the company's web site."
Add some BlueTooth and you might finally have a decent platform to run all those household appliances you've been wanting to network at home. Interesting possibilities at least...
Also from the article..
The overall approach is one suited for connectivity rather than computation, supports data transfer rates of up to 200 Mbit/s (100 Mbit Ethernet full duplex), as well as a wide range of network device applications.
At only 100MIPS, I wouldn't want to use it in a laptop/notebook. Intel, AMD and Transmeta make better chipc for that. This one wouldn't have the computational power.
Great technology, yes. It would make a rockin' embedded system, and could serve up static web pages fast enough to saturate a 100MB pipe. I'll be keeping an eye on it for any future applications I can dream of..
I'd agree on the parallel port complaint, but a lot of stuff out there that won't be going away for years still uses serial ports. I'm not a programmer, but I'd wager that good ol RS232 is a simpler interface to work with than USB and probably more robust over longer runs. I don't think something like this was designed for replacing your desktop.
So many complaints about the "obsolete" hardware - FUCKING DUH! It's a system-on-a-chip, running a common OS that is relatively easy to write software for, using tried-and-true peripheral technology and with enough horsepower to be used in all manner of embedded systems.
Sure, you wouldn't use it in a laptop or even a PDA, but that's not the target -- it can be used anywhere you need a simple PC to do simple tasks, but you don't want the huge and power-hungry old 386 you've got sitting in your closet/warehouse.
The thing's running Linux and is capable of networking for fuck's sake. Use your imagination.
Still,given the feature set and the low power consumption this is a pretty appealing package, but I think even the embedded the applications are somewhat limited.
Roving Web-Teleoperated Robot
It doesnt want to say what processor it is.
All I can see is that it is a RISC (what isnt) and has 15 x 32bit registers.
Sounds like an ARM ut why dont they say so.
Mouse powered Chips, Open source Processors and Lego
It's probably a crazy idea, but at 27x27mm you could fit over 50 of these on an atx PCB. And that's still 2D, stacked you could easily fit a hundred in a litre (though heat may be a problem even with embedded harware like this one).
Of course, compared to desktop computers these tinies have far from impressive specs (see: rants by others), but power isn't necessesarily measured in terms of Mhz/GBs. Power can come in numbers as well. And in that case, price per piece is more important, as well as Watt/instruction and physical size.
Now let's see about bulk prices...
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The prospects for high-end PCs are far overrated
The thing is a MIPS. Most MIPS processors work without any patches on recent 2.4 kernels.
Besides it is basic economics for them not to lie. They sell the boards pretty cheap, so you buy one to see if this will be the platform for your next device. How long would it take you to find out that you need to patch the 2.4 kernel to get it to run on this thing? If it doesn't work, they sell no devices. They are going to make no money selling a couple hundred developer boards.
Just a Tuna in the Sea of Life
$5 / month hosted VPS on linux = awesome!
I don't think this is flambait at all. I think the excessive number of connectors one need on a computer is part of the inefficiency of the industry.
For instance, at at time when a Macs needed a single ADB port for all slow input devices, an Intel machine had two identical ports, for keyboard and mouse. These ports had to be color coded because they were not interchangeable. People hasted the few ports, but the standard made the machine easier to deal with and design for, even if a bit more expensive.
Likewise why have serial and parallel ports on a computer. Just make everyone use serial. It is not difficult, it is no longer expensive. I mean nearly everyone has switched to USB. What was the problem? I know that we need to support legacy hardware, but the poster has a point. Why bloat clearly niche device with things people no longer need or use.
But my real issue is with these printers and scanners that are shipped with two or three different ports. Is it really so expensive to replace the ports with and ethernet connector, at least on some of the machines. Most people have ethernet connector, and combined with a router with a DHCP server, these are easier to setup than a parallel or serial connection. I know not everyone has a router, but many people and most business have broadband, and selling broadband with a router, is, in my mind, irresponsible, but that is another rant.
Anyway, I agree with the poster. Don't put stuff in a product just because you can and it is cheap.
rant off
"She's a scientist and a lesbian. She's not going to let it slide." Orphan Black