Hot deal? ARM Mini-PC: 1.0 GHz Celeron, 10 GB HD, 128 MB RAM, 24x CD - $499.99+shipping

[Mohamed110]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-Details.asp?sku=A259-1000

Specifications:

Processor:

Intel Celeron 1GHz processor (FCPGA)

370-Pin processor socket

System bus frequency at 66MHz

Memory:

128MB SDRAM; Upgradable to 256MB

One 144pin DIMM slot for PC100/PC133 SDRAM

Storage:

10GB UDMA hard drive

24X Max. CD-ROM drive

Video:

Intel 82810E built-in full motion video accelerator

H/W motion compensation for S/W MPEG2 at 30fps

4MB of video memory (shared)

Supports 1280 x 1024 pixels resolution at 24bit color

One S-Video Out port

One AV Video Out port

Speakers and Audio:

Built-in 16-bit stereo (Sound Blaster / Adlib compatible)

Full duplex 3D stereo sound

Built-in speaker

One 3.5mm microphone in port

One 3.5mm line out port (using active speakers)

Communications:

Built-in 10/100Base-T Ethernet (RJ45)

Built-in 56K V.90 modem (53K max. per FCC regulations)

IrDA

Peripheral Connections:

Two USB ports

One 9-pin serial port

One 25 pin parallel port (EPP / ECP)

Keyboard and Mouse:

One 6 pin PS/2 mouse port

One 6 pin PS/2 keyboard port

Electrical Requirements:

Line voltage 100V AC (100V to 130V AC) or 230V AC (180V to 260V AC)

Frequency: 47 to 63 Hz, single phase

Power in: DC 18V / 3A

Maximum power 64 Watt

Weight and Size:

System approximately 950g (2 lbs)

System Dimensions: 157mm x 146mm x 45mm (6.18" x 5.75" x 1.77")

One Year Manufacturer Warranty
No Operating System Included



Manufactured by: ARM Computer Inc
Manufacturer Part No: ARMG1-CD

 

[pete777]

very cold

 

[radioactiveman]

wow! either that's a really big pen or they really squeezed everything in tight - I wonder how long it would take for this thing to overheat....

talk about an awesome mp3 box though... throw an 80 gig in there and you'd have a way cool add on to your stereo system for ~$650

 

[Mohamed110]

<< very cold >>



Sorry, I'm relatively new to the board and didn't find anything using the 'Search' function.

For the functionality, price, and size, would this be considered a good investment?

 

[MontyBurns]

Mohamed:

Don't worry. Posts that simply say "very cold" or "this sux" or "repost" really don't add anything to the discussion.

I would assume that the user thinks he can find this cheaper somewhere, but until he points us there, I'd say his post was... very cold.

 

[loup garou]

That's a cool little box. I don't understand why someone hasn't taken this idea and slapped a nice video chip in there. Even if it required a little bit more room for cooling, etc. But it would have to be the same price as it is now . Voila, great portable system for LAN parties, etc. Of course, you still have to do something about a monitor...

 

[WhiteMouse]

Since he did not say anything about your deal, you can assume he just means himself is very cold.

It is a repost, but I am the person who likes repost for reminding hot or even cold deals.

 

[Chronos123]

I saw one of these at a local CompUSA (MD) and was impressed by its size and capabilities! It's really a palm (or two)-sized fully functional PC. Even my wife was impressed! I coulndn't justify a $500+ expenditure for it, but for anyone who wants/needs the smallest PC around (IMO) should be interested. I remember a thread on this PC several weeks ago- you might want to search again for it for further information and some educated opinions!

 

[MarkM]

edit: did not note the size of the unit, therefor "I missed the point" & my comparison was invalid.

however, I'm not sure why this size would be attractive. It's too small to allow for any expanion/upgrade, yet it still needs a monitor, so it also compares very unfavorably to a laptop in everythign except price (and maybe not so much even that, once you figure in teh cost of a monitor). but others needs may be different. to me this is just like the gevalia coffee deal posted today IMO -- it's more about the "cool" factor than any practical value or usefulness. IMO, as I said.

 

[wesbc]

I myself am very interested in one of these 'small' PC, but I need one with a Video IN feature for capturing and buring VCDs. Hate to have to lug a full size PC next to my sat/PVR setup to record some videos.

It would need a good video capture and sound, then I would be sold. Also wonders if I could just build a 1U system for this purpose. Any thoughts. I've looked at the the Shuttle system as well but with only a single PCI, it's very limiting.

 

[loup garou]

I think you're missing the point. The only reason this was posted was because the system is about the size of a paperback book. Of course you can build a much better system for around the same price, but you'd be hard pressed to squeeze it in a 6" x 6" x 2" box!



<< Agreed, an anonymous post just saying "cold" isn't real helpful to someone seeking advice. Better to have not posted at all.

However, I will say it is cold too -- but I will tell you why. I have just finished putting together my own system from individual components, for only $100 more final coast (after shipping rebates etc). Less, considering your $500 doesn't include shipping. And here's what I got (almost all courtesy of anadtech hot deals!):

Athlon XP 1700+ w/ Swiftech MCX370 HS, Arctic Alumina (newegg, anandtech FS forum, svccompucycle)
Soyo Dragon+ MB w/ LAN, 5.1 dolby sound, 5 PCI slots, 1 AGP (outpost.com)
Crucial 512mb DDR2100 memory (Best Buy)
2 20gb x 7200rpm ATA133 D740X-6L Maxtor drives in RAID array (Dragon+ MB has Promise RAID 0 controller built in) (office depot)
ATI Radeon LE 32mb DDR video (newegg refurb)
Fong Kai 320 black case w/ enhance PS rated to XP 1900+ (newegg)
black teac floppy drive (newegg)
WinXP Professional, with bonus LAVA LAMP! (MS Partners program)
Linux (Linus Torvalds )

This spanks the celeron system you are looking at in every department, and in fact still would have spanked it had I made some easy budget restrictions in some places (e.g. a 1500+ instead of a 1700+, a case costing half as much, an ECS $60 k7s5a motherboard, only 256mb RAM, single slower drive), I would have spent MUCH less than $500, probably less than $400. Since your machine doesn't have an OS, we are looking at less than $350 for a mchine that's still clearly more powerful.

This is just an example of what you can do. But the caveat is, you have to have a little comfort level in doing assembly yourself, and a littel patience to wait for the deals to come along (I ended up buying over the span of about 6 weeks).

Good luck. >>

 

[ChurchOfSubgenius]

You can get it Here! for almost double that price, whoo hoo!

 

[GnatGoSplat]

I wouldn't mind having something like this with a little less power to put in the car to build the ultimate entertainment system with GPS navigation.
Unfortunately to run my GPS card, it'd need a PCMCIA slot and this doesn't have one. I also wouldn't need the built-in CD drive, I would find a way to integrate a slot-in DVD-ROM drive into my car's dash.

Is this ARM PC the closest thing I'll find?

 

[johto]

someone that immediately says cold isn't really thinking clearly.

i need a divx/mp3 box for my living room. these, or the sv24, are a viable option for me. thanks for the headsup.

 

[loup garou]

<< I wouldn't mind having something like this with a little less power to put in the car to build the ultimate entertainment system with GPS navigation.
Unfortunately to run my GPS card, it'd need a PCMCIA slot and this doesn't have one. I also wouldn't need the built-in CD drive, I would find a way to integrate a slot-in DVD-ROM drive into my car's dash.

Is this ARM PC the closest thing I'll find? >>



Saintsong's Cappuccino PC is available with a DVD/CDRW drive. It may be a bit more expensive though. Also, you might be able to find a DVD drive for a laptop that would work with the ARM.

 

[Bulk Beef]

<< Saintsong's Cappuccino PC is available with a DVD/CDRW drive. It may be a bit more expensive though. Also, you might be able to find a DVD drive for a laptop that would work with the ARM. >>

I think this thing might be a Cappuccino. If you look closely at the pic on Tiger's page, you can make it out on the label. I think these little things are pretty cool, and if you realize that the diminutive size is a major feature, $500 is pretty good.

 

[hojl]

personally i like the computer.. I saw this cool little comp first a few months ago "cappacino or whatever.." I wouldn't mind having one if I didn't buy the burbie . Hope in a few months I can get it for like 200

 

[loup garou]

<< I think this thing might be a Cappuccino. If you look closely at the pic on Tiger's page, you can make it out on the label. I think these little things are pretty cool, and if you realize that the diminutive size is a major feature, $500 is pretty good. >>


I think you may be right. Also, another thing I didn't notice is that Tiger sells DVD and CDRW drives for it, too, albeit at ridiculous prices.

 

[im2smrt4u]

Don't worry about the crappers. :disgust:

Its an excellent deal if you need something like this. That is the actual size! Its very tiny. A good application is where you have port replicator/docking sort of device and you can take your computer from home to work and back.

Honestly, I think it would be AWESOME to LAN with this!

im2smrt4u

 

[Bulk Beef]

BTW, I know Tiger has a terrible reputation and a crappy score at resellerratings, but I've ordered a bunch of stuff from them with no problems whatsoever. I even had to return a memory stick, and it was pretty painless.

 

[NovaPolice]

There's a portable cd player sitting on my dash, with a cigarette lighter plug and a tape deck adapter. Not for long! Bet it'll even fit in the same case.

GnatGoSplat, I just ordered one of these for the same reason as you. It was either this or the fv24, and since this is smaller and is made of notebook parts, it'd probably be better in my Jeep. Plus I can unplug it and bring it into someone's house and plug it into their tv like a playstation. Sounds better than having it permanently mounted in your car like I'd have to do with an fv24.

According to someone at mp3car.com who hooked up an lcd and a gps to it in their car, this 12v to 18v adapter (http://stores.yahoo.com/laptopsforless/pndcadpowadf.html) that plugs in your cigarette lighter will supply the required power...

Since I have an stand-alone GPS for backpacking, all I need to do is hook it up to a serial port with a special cable and run the appropriate software. If it had firewire you might be able to get an external pcmcia reader.

Now - anyone have a good deal on a touchscreen tft with decent res and no controller card needed?

 

[GnatGoSplat]

Quick question... what's an fv24?

 

[PsYcHoKnK]

Don't buy this system! I purchased an ARM computer (the deal was very good) previously, and I have to say, it is stuffed with the worst, most unreliable components. I've had to send my computer back repeatedly for them to replace parts (motherboard, ram, hard drive) and the price of shipping over and over has made this computer cost more than it would've if I had just bought a Dell or some other good name company.

 

[NovaPolice]

Gnat: The fv24 is the motherboard that tiny sv24 shuttle system comes with... It might be a better deal for you than this cause you could put a firewire dvd-rom on your dash and shove the system under your seat, plus you could get a pcmcia reader. For that however you'd probably deed a pricy inverter or a pricy dc-dc ATX PSU.

BTW, this system isn't made by arm, it's made by saintsong and is resold under various names. try www.saintsong.com.tw for the maker's specs. looks like everything else is just notebook components which take shocks well...

This is gonna be dope! I just bought a massworks 320x240 usb touchscreen lcd! hope I can hack the resolution to display right. It'll be like a super PDA.

I know, I should just buy a laptop but I can't mount it in my jeep right.

 

[GnatGoSplat]

Thanks Nova! You really know a lot about this, I didn't know about the USB touchscreen LCD either, that's really cool. I've been looking for a good touchscreen LCD. Too bad they don't make a slightly smaller one that will fit in my 1-1/2 DIN slot.