Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Photos and Commentary On AMD's PIC

Posted by timothy on from the such-a-cute-box dept.

vincecate writes "I just purchased a brand new AMD PIC which has been on Slashdot and LinuxDevices. I have opened it up and put some pictures and comments on the web. Some interesting things are that the system uses only 8 watts, the Windows CE does not want you installing any software, you can not get to the BIOS settings, and I was not able to boot Linux." (He was able, though, to boot Linux from an IDE device on a mini-ITX system also based on the Geode processor.)

5 of 394 comments (clear)

  1. how about a useful link... by Lumpy · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Like where to buy one?

    I would certianly like to get one to tinker with and make do things that are against the wishes of the manufacturer.

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  2. Reason why you can't fiddle with it by magarity · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Look at the target market kids; some village in inner Mongolia or northeastern India saves up to buy a computer with the help of a government grant. The first thing that happens is someone accidentally screws up the BIOS settings or downloads and installs some flakey software. Wanna guess how easy it is to get a tech out to fix it? Be serious and stop your whining about WinCE and no BIOS access. It obviously isn't for you. The thing's capabilitis in terms of software/firmware were very carefully considered in light of its target demographic.

    1. Re:Reason why you can't fiddle with it by WARM3CH · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I agree. The design goals of this device is clearly are: Providing minimum requirments to access and browse the net, and do basic word processing and that's all! It should not require any service, patches for a long time. Many slashdotters many nor realize that design of such a system is quite different from normal PCs and is a completely different beast. You need a system to do something very basic, only do this job and do it right with no future need for any chagnes. This is logical to lock it in a way that making any changes to it be very difficult. Not only to protect it from the users, but also from all unknown possible future threats on the net. You can imagine millions of such simple machines round the world and far from any service center can be a very good target for spammers, black-hats and anyone who needs a hord of zobie machines. How would you design such a thing if you needed to do it with such a tight price limit?

  3. Re:Paperweight. by dave420 · · Score: 5, Interesting
    BECAUSE IT'S NOT FOR YOU

    It's for poor people who can't afford to get online. People who make $1,000-$6,000 PER YEAR. They are people who don't care about linux, who don't want to install p2p, who don't want 17 different media players for their downloaded simpsons.

    This PC is not for you, so the fact you don't like it means absolutely zero.

    You moaning about it is like if you went to a soup kitchen, moved some starving people out of the way, tried the soup and proclaimed very loudly "This soup tastes like shit! I'm off to a fancy restaurant for a steak!". You don't see the point, as you can afford something better. Not everyone can. Count yourself lucky, don't put down their only option.

  4. AMD is already exploring PIC Linux by taj · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 14:06:53 -0600
    From: "Hale, Brad"
    To: Trent Jarvi
    Subject: RE: PIC Linux

    Trent, thanks for your interest in AMD's PIC. We have not entered an
    exclusive agreement with Microsoft and are currently working with a number of
    Linux developers for future support. Please check back on AMD's web site for
    future announcements regarding Linux support.

    Regards,

    Brad Hale
    Business Development
    Value Platforms
    Advanced Micro Devices
    (XXX) XXXX-XXXX

    -----Original Message----- ...