pC onboard again

whipper_snapper

whipper_snapper

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I have been hesitating about a PC to run MaxSea and email via SSB. I have decided I do NOT want a laptop (including the asus eeee!) and was planning to build a mini-itx. But I just came across this which looks very interesting. It runs on 12V, very low power and small size.

http://www.fit-pc.co.uk/index.html

I would use win XP and wondered what people thought about the specs. Is it up to running MaxSea ?

Thanks

Specs:

CPU: AMD Geode LX800 500MHz

Chipset: AMD CS5536

Display: Integrated Geode LX display controller up to 1920x1440

Memory:
NEW! Larger 512MB DDR 333MHz soldered on-board

Hard disk: 2.5” IDE 60GB

NEW! Built in 802.11b/g WiFi

Ports: RJ45 Ethernet ports 100Mbps
3 x USB 2.0 HiSpeed 480Mbps
mini RS-232 (cable available)
VGA DB15
Stereo line-out audio (headphones)
Stereo line-in audio / Mic
Dimensions

Width: 100mm
Length: 110mm
Height: 30mm
Weight: 380g
Software

General Software Embedded BIOS

Special BIOS features:
Etherboot for boot over LAN
Etherlink for BIOS update over LAN

Linux: Ubuntu 8.04 (preloaded)
Gentoo 2008.0 (preloaded as an option)
Other Linux distributions are tested to work

Windows: Windows XP Home SP3 (preloaded as an option)
Mechanical and environmental

Splash and dust resistance enclosure

Material: Black Anodized Aluminum body with PC/ABS panels

Operating temperature: 0 - 45oC

Power: 12V single supply

Power consumption: 4-6W
 
At 500MHz, it will probably work ok, but you might think twice about using the term "run" - maybe "walk" would be more appropriate. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

Actually, the 512MB of RAM might be as big a performance issue - I don't know how much the current version of Maxsea uses memory - I have quite an old version (that I don't really use too much anymore...)

Plus, there is still scope for some kind of small incompatibility that stops it all together...

For me, a laptop is pretty well optimal.

- compact and low power
- built-in UPS
- can quickly pack it up and tuck it away safely
- easily and quickly replaced if (when) it goes wrong

I'm not too convinced by the current trend for solid-state/flash drives. In my experience, laptop hard disks are extremely reliable...
 
email over ssb is painfully slow - at 3 kbps is less than half of one percent of my pretty sluggish broadband.

with both a lappy and ssb on board I found it better to use internet cafes or mobile phones. downloading my emails on the latter only cost a few pence per day. plus it was reliable which hf/ssb isnt.
 
I have one of these digital yacht PC"]http://www.mesltd.co.uk/digital-yacht-cf50-p-747.html]PC[/url][/url] . Expensive compared to a laptop but the this was an upgrade for an existing PC so screen already built in. Works well. Runs off 12v. Bought a wireless aerial for surfing free wireless when available
TudorSailor
 
I'd get a laptop, with external keyboard/mouse/monitor - you can put the laptop away with closed lid and continue to work on it whilst onboard, then take it ashore to go the cafe etc etc when possible.
 
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