linux PC £99 or less

unrich

OK there will be a previous post on this but I like the look of it.
A low energy PC similar (in function) to the Mac mini taking advantage of existing hardware. By Viglen (isn't that A Sugar esq?). MPC (WARNING PDF LINK).

• Ultra Low energy profile
• Silent operation
• Compact size (WxDxH: 140 x 145 x 35mm)
• Xubuntu operating system
• USB2.0 expandable
• Integrated SXGA graphics and multimedia audio
• Integrated 10/100 Ethernet ready

Saw this on another place so credit due there for the offer but I like the kit anyway.

You could almost use it as a backup drive or if you have privacy problems lock it away when you're out. Make a fast and dirty web server using XAMPP.

Anybody got one?

timbim_2

Even use it as a souped up router...

wonka

Hmmm... that does look pretty neat, assuming it's just for basic PC computing, e.g. browsing/email.

No mention of what CPU though....

Mind you, for 99 quid, who cares?

sickboyedd

This sounds quite nice, could you plug in a digital TV usb dongle and a wireless dongle and then use it as a media server/ Tivo analogue? Here's the non .pdf link:

http://www.viglen.co.uk/viglen/Products_Services/Product_Range/Product_file.aspx?Type_Info=Description&eCode=XUBUMPCL&Type=Desktops&GUID=

Also, this site seems to suggest you can get hold of the units for less money (and reviews it):

http://tonywhitmore.co.uk/blog/2008/08/

they even say they're going to see if MythTV works on it

weegie.geek

The claim that it costs £1 a year to run is interesting. Has to be nonsense though, or at least they're claiming it'll use that but not stating that it'll cost £1 a year if you use it for 5 minutes a day.

http://tonywhitmore.co.uk/blog/2008/08/18/viglen-mpc-l-well-worth-79/
http://www.viglen.co.uk/viglen/Products_Services/Product_Range/Product_file.aspx?eCode=XUBUMPCL&Type_Info=Description&Type=Desktops&GUID=

http://tonywhitmore.co.uk/blog/2008/08/22/more-on-the-mpc-l/

00:01.0 Host bridge: National Semiconductor Corporation Geode GX2 Host Bridge (rev 21)
00:01.1 VGA compatible controller: National Semiconductor Corporation Geode GX2 Graphics Processor
00:0d.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL-8139/8139C/8139C+ (rev 10)
00:0e.0 USB Controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82xxxxx UHCI USB 1.1 Controller (rev 61)
00:0e.1 USB Controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82xxxxx UHCI USB 1.1 Controller (rev 61)
00:0e.2 USB Controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. USB 2.0 (rev 63)
00:0f.0 ISA bridge: National Semiconductor Corporation CS5535 ISA bridge (rev 13)
00:0f.2 IDE interface: National Semiconductor Corporation CS5535 IDE
00:0f.3 Multimedia audio controller: National Semiconductor Corporation CS5535 Audio
00:0f.4 USB Controller: National Semiconductor Corporation CS5535 USB (rev 06)
00:0f.5 USB Controller: National Semiconductor Corporation CS5535 USB (rev 06)
processor : 0
vendor_id : Geode by NSC
cpu family : 5
model : 5
model name : Geode(TM) Integrated Processor by National Semi
stepping : 2
cpu MHz : 398.450
cache size : 32 KB
fdiv_bug : no
hlt_bug : no
f00f_bug : no
coma_bug : no
fpu : yes
fpu_exception : yes
cpuid level : 1
wp : yes
flags : fpu de pse tsc msr cx8 pge cmov mmx mmxext 3dnowext 3dnow
up
bogomips : 798.74
clflush size : 32

unrich

I suppose you could fit your own bigger disk in which does then make it interesting as an alternative to a dedicated NAS.

I like 6 USB ports. The ones on the back look like they say 1.1 (low speed) and on the front 2.0 (good).

It would be good if it ran off 12v (then get a 12v TFT screen attached) use in the boat/car/caravan etc

timbim_2

For that you could use an EEE, even better for portability.

[Deleted User]

I'd like to see what the performance running a basic set up on one of them, mind I can only think of very few uses where it would be suitable for deployment.

weegie.geek

Considering those processors are the same ones that power a lot of thin clients, I think that says a lot about just how much grunt these things have. Not much.

Nowhere near enough power to use as a media player. Possibly as a backend to record via usb freeview/satellite tuners.

It might be worth using as the main box to which some USB hard drives are connected, as a kind of NAS, but it's only 100mbit.

I can see it being of use for an audio server. Decent quality USB sound card with digital out, some kind of display, a remote control, and you've got a network mp3 player type thing.

There are cheaper alternatives, but they only play mp3 and wma, no flac, ogg, etc.

Whip out the hard drive and get it booting from a CF card, or entirely from the network, to make it silent...

If the power consumption claims are legit it'd be really nice for that.

Mobeer

There's a length item on HotDealsUK for this item (£79.99):
http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/233848/80gb-viglen-mpc-l-79-inc-vat-delive/showthread.php?t=233848

One post on that thread suggests it is only a 333 MHz Geode CPU, not 400 MHz as in the example above.

It seems like a very low price, but possibly just a bit too slow for the sort of web browsing, holiday snap showing, music playing machine that would be nice to have.

weegie.geek

Music playback it'd do fine. Browsing non-flash site would be fine as well, but as soon as you get anything even a little fancy that thing would choke.

Holiday snaps I don't reckon would be a problem either.