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Google's Chromebit Micro-Computer Launches (techcrunch.com)
An anonymous reader writes: Back in March, Google announced the Chromebit, a small computer crammed into an HDMI stick that runs Chrome OS. The device, built by Asus, has now launched for $85. It weighs 75 grams, runs on a Rockchip ARM processor, and includes a USB port. It has 16GB of storage and 2GB of RAM, and connects via 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. According to Tech Crunch, the Chromebit is not particularly fast, but it's usable for basic tasks. "As long as the work only involves web apps (or maybe a remote connection to a more fully-featured machine), the Chromebit is up for the job and can turn any screen into a usable desktop."
They crammed nearly everything else into that connector, why not a power source?
No keyboard, no mouse, no screen ... cheaper to just buy a laptop, or even a full Chromebook.
"Transparent" is a shit show that trades on every stereotype going. A man in drag is NOT a transsexual.
The HDMI automotive spec includes power.
For regular HDMI, I wonder if you could jam some extra electrons through it via power over ethernet. Find the dumbest device that pipes ethernet through HDMI and the dumbest device that does PoE and slap em together.
I bought my daughter a decent Chromebook (new) for $150. For $85 (as this thing is) - add the cost of of a keyboard and mouse - and you're close to that. I don't think this is going to fly too heavily for $85.
Q. If an HDMI accessory device (i.e. switch box, cable booster) does not have a dedicated power supply, is it still compliant and will it work?
An HDMI device that has active electronics should have a provision for external power in order to be compliant (e.g. a receptacle to allow the use of a standard power adapter, sometimes called a power “brick”). Here we are drawing a distinction between “active” devices that actually have some powered electronics, and “passive” devices, such as some switches (more on those later).
Some active devices, such as actively powered HDMI cables or in-line signal extender boxes, will by default attempt to power their electronics by taking power from the 5V line (+5V power) available on the HDMI connector. The HDMI specification requires all source devices to provide at least 55mA (milliamps) on the 5V line for the purpose of reading the EDID of a display. While 55mA is not enough current to operate most HDMI accessory devices (which typically require about 100 to 150mA), most source devices on the market today provide significantly more current on the 5V line than the HDMI specification requires. As a result, the vast majority of accessory devices can operate when interfaced with a source device that provides more than the required current (i.e. over 100-150mA) on the 5V line. However, manufacturers should provide a provision for their powered HDMI accessory devices to obtain external power, and consumers are encouraged to look for this external power provision when purchasing such products.
Looking to the future, not all HDMI devices may provide this much power over the 5V line. For example, as HDMI expands into more and more portable applications (cameras, camcorders, laptops, etc.), power consumption is often much more of an issue, and such devices may not power the 5V line with the > 100mA required by such “active” devices. Again, consumers should consider ensuring that their active HDMI accessory device purchases have a provision for external power for this reason.
It is great for TSA-regulated travel.
Fits in a coat pocket, a camera bag,
No keyboard, no mouse, no screen, no laptop bag, no etc. to indicate that you have a computer with you.
Plus, with web apps and storage, your files are hidden away from TSA-eyes.
If they steal it from you, you can easily get another one and not hand anything over to the TSA/NSA/FBI/IRS/CIA/ATF/DoJ/ETC/
Sometimes it is a good idea to pause and think before speaking.
.
Having to plug in a USB cable just to provide power is foolish.
If you don't have a mouse or keyboard, how do you plan on using it when you get to your destination? Are you going to buy new ones every time you travel somewhere?
Also, with web apps and storage, they don't need your hardware to get to your data.....they just need a warrant provided to Google (or whatever provider you use). Hopefully you meant something else (like a VPN or Tor or whatever).
Not when you can get something like the Kangaroo for $15 more:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...
Has an Intel cpu, 2gb memory, 32gb built in storage and comes with Windows 10 (home) but can run Linux also.
Wonder how much Google paid them to post this?
There about eleventy-billion VGA displays sitting in closets, storage rooms etc. Our office still uses VGA for everything despite the displays supporting HDMI. A female HDMI to female VGA adapter is about $6 in bulk. Skylake finally dropped support for analog VGA but I suspect these 32 bit stick computers still do VGA out over HDMI. You could really provide some serious value to users with old "garbage" 17" VGA flatscreens that you would otherwise have to pay to get taken away.
moox. for a new generation.
male genitalia.
Wonder if there's going to be a chatroulette for Chromebit ?
Make sure everyone's vote counts: Verified Voting
<pause>... narf!
Nope, didn't help. At all.
Imagine playing Halo in HD on Windows 10 for only $85!
The ability to add a USB webcam and USB Microphone. This device would be the PERFECT way to get Google Hangouts into the corperate world of small "Huddle" type meeting rooms.
Why is it that Apple and Google never ever thinks of the corporate and company uses for their products?
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
We've had all these micro computers for over 2 years already running Chrome, linux and now Windows. Just go to Amazon, you have plenty to choose from (My favorite was the MK808). You can run Netflix, hulu, amazon prime, whatever on it just the same. What changed? What's so special? Seems Google is way late to the party on this when there are WAY better offers and devices just on Amazon alone.
Yep. Problem is 99% of all TV manufacturers don't supply more than 0.5A of power there. Every stinking time we try to use a stick powered via the HDMI and it fails, we have to plug in the USB as well. and on some sets an external USB power as they cant supply any real power out their USB jacks.
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
Relying USB, which has established power delivery and charging standards for almost a decade now, is not foolish.
Relying on HDMI, which has absolutely zero record of being a reliable power delivery standard, is quite foolish.
You can't even depend on most HDMI devices to deliver proper EDID information. Ask anyone who's ever worked on any HDMI connected device - You assume the device you're connecting to is broken and work from there.
"Don't expect blazing performance from the quad-core Rockchip SoC that powers the device, but it's perfectly usable."
The device in question is the size of a pack of gum. It's nice to be living in the future.
Dear Slashdot: next time you want to mess with the site, add a rich-text editor for comments.
..so there's still the possibility to add a webcam that has a microphone using that (or hook up the keyboard/mouse with that and use a USB webcam) but you're going to need to power. Perhaps for such a setup a Chromebox would be better?
There are quite a few compact bluetooth keyboards available.
It has USB. Plug a in hub (which can also be pocket sized) and you've got four or five USB ports. Of course, some keyboards have a USB hub built-in, so you don't need a separate hub.
Why not just buy a Windows 10 stick for about as much? At least Microsoft won't abandon Windows.
In the future, you're going to get computers as prizes in breakfast cereals. You'll throw them out because your house will be littered with them.
How relevant!
a) Can this run Linux?
b) Can this run some kind of VPN & remote desktop (to Linux, e.g., NX or alike)?
c) I didn't see (though it's said it exists) the USB connector... this gets power from the monitor/TV right? So no external HD?
Obviously we should use them to create a Beowulf cluster.
Chance favors the prepared mind.
Perfect is the enemy of good.
Sounds like good specs. Any chance this thing can run an X server? Could make any TV network connected computer monitor!
AB HOC POSSUM VIDERE DOMUM TUUM
By the time you buy a keyboard, webcam, audio in/out, bluetooth, sd card storage adapter, a usb hub, and a screen, it's way more expensive than just buying a chromebook (and you don't need to drag those extra things around when you go to the restaurant).
"Transparent" is a shit show that trades on every stereotype going. A man in drag is NOT a transsexual.
Not a single link to where you can buy one right now.
Pisses me off so bad I might never buy one now.
Relatively sure you can use any android device as an input device