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AdvantageSix Promises a Tiny ARM-based Computer

Posted by timothy on from the that-looks-tasty dept.

oberondarksoul writes "Drobe, one of the leading RISC OS news websites, is reporting that AdvantageSix have displayed an in-development version of their forthcoming A9home system. Running on a 400MHz Samsung ARM9 processor, and measuring approximately 6.6x4x2 inches, this ought to be a cheap -- and reasonably powerful -- RISC OS-based alternative to small form factor PCs or the Mac mini."

4 of 191 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Interesting by cahiha · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Tha Mac Mini is actually pretty expensive for what it does; you still need a keyboard, screen, mouse, cables, etc.

    I don't see much of a market for these things in the long run: a low-end laptop is easier to set up, more compact, and less messy (no cables, speakers, etc.). It's also a better deal.

  2. Re:Hello? by FidelCatsro · · Score: 4, Interesting

    2 main reasons , ARM development and Risc OS development . Perhaps also it would make a rather nice router if you have money to burn , or an internet booth type thing if you wanted.
    Its really not a product your average user would want.
    I really don't see why the artical refers to as an alternative to A MacMini or SFF PC , it just leads to alot of confusion.

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  3. Re:Interesting by roxtar · · Score: 3, Interesting
    The costs are low, therefore people who have given that excuse to not owning a computer will be happy to buy. Usage is simple, which will appeal to the same group of people.

    I don't think that people who haven't owned a computer till now will go and buy one which doesn't have a monitor and runs RISC OS. IMHO they will be more comfortable buying a standard PC running windows.

    They will be useful for clusters (ie. Beowolf)

    Technically Beowulf clusters are diskless along with not having monitors,mice etc.

  4. Re:Garrhh! by Glock27 · · Score: 3, Interesting
    an ARM running at 400mhz would outdo a pentium M at 1200MHz. Since the Pentium M at 1200MHz is about the speed of a 1.42GHz G4 Mac Mini, then this machine is about the speed of a mac mini.

    OK...first of all I challenge your figures, please cite some references for a 400 MHz. ARM (Palm/PocketPC CPU) being as fast as a 1.2 GHz. Pentium M, or a 1.42 GHz. G4. Does this ARM even have hardware floating point? Most don't...

    Secondly, the Mac Mini comes with a great software bundle, a ton of available software, a good (if not great) graphics adapter, and for the cost of the ARM box I could get it with 1 GB RAM and the Superdrive.

    In a smaller case. That sounds worth it to me.

    I doubt you'd even notice the size difference (Mac Mini is 6.5"x6.5"x2"). You and I have very different concepts of "worth it".

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