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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.)

2 of 394 comments (clear)

  1. Paperweight. by theparanoidcynic · · Score: 0, Troll

    "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."

    With this kind of proprietary bullshit why even bother? Sure, it'll get hacked, but I'd rather not humour them by buying it.

    --
    Only in a Slashdot fantasy can a Slackware install turn into several hours of sex . . . . .
  2. Re:Geez... by dave420 · · Score: 0, Troll
    Oh dear. I see YOU've not read the article either.

    The boxes are for use by poor people. These boxes are supposed to be a trouble-free way of getting on the net. Microsoft have supplied a cut-down, hardened, very stable operating system for use on it. Yes, it might cost more per copy, but if it runs much longer than the comparable linux solution, it's cheaper, as no-one has to drive hundreds of miles out to the PC to fix it.

    They don't want "to give MS a bone" - they want to do what they set out to do - provide cheap reliable PCs to poor people who can't afford otherwise.

    Anyway, if a linux option was chosen, who's going to make the special hardened version? Who has the financial clout to guarantee the project goes through? To assure the buyers that the OS isn't flakey? Exactly.