Linutop upgrades Linux micro-PC line
Beefier CPU for version 3
French Linux hardware specialist Linutop has added a new member to its family of wee desktop computers based on the open source operating system.
Simply dubbed the Linutop 3, the new machine incorporates a VIA C7 processor running at 1GHz. It has 1GB of DDR 2 memory, expandable to 2GB, and 2GB of solid-state storage. Not enough, you think? You can add more using any of the PC's six USB ports, and there's a pair of Sata connectors inside.
Linutop's Linutop 3: bigger, beefier than before
Since the box measures just 235 x 236 x 55mm, there's not an awful lot of room in there, we suspect. Still, you should be able to cram a small drive in there.
With those dimensions, the Linutop 3 is slightly larger than its predecessor, though it sports more ports: two more USB connectors, DVI and VGA, and Gigabit Ethernet, up from 10/100Mb/s on the 2. There are two input and two output 3.5mm audio sockets.
Designed for open sourcerers
The Linutop 3 is designed for folk who want a compact box but one that has a little more welly than the very compact Linutop 2 can provide.
Available now, the Linutop 3 costs €340 (£244/$501) direct from the company. ®
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COMMENTS
Good looking bit of kit
quite a reasonable price, and it is in black what more do you want.
Sure you can build stuff cheaper, and the SSD is not for all, but as a box built by someone else, and if you want an SSD it is well priced, comes with an operating system.
And no money wasted on an MS licence always a big plus.
As to second hand on ebay, duh second hand someone has already the asking price, and now wants to offload the out of date item, second hand is always cheaper there is no profit just a claw on a fraction of cost.
Linutop 2 = winner
I got a Linutop equivalent after Liam Proven's review of it. It's just fantastic. I use it as a household server (plug USB external drives into it) and bedroom video player. It's SILENT. Gaffer over the lights and away you go. I heartily recommend a box like this to anyone. The Linutop 2 had a Geode 400MHz processor and could play full-screen video in VLC; this should do even better.
(Handy hints: remove OpenOffice, you'll never use it. Set it not to reset every reboot. Remove anything else you can.)
The killer feature: 1. It's a Linux box. 2. It's SILENT. This is brilliant and irreplaceable.
You can buy
a second hand slim desktop machine with better specs for £30 on Ebay. Sigh, when did it all go wrong Linux self-abusers.
LTSP
That would make a lovely LTSP thin client, but at the price I think I'd rather pickup an Acer Revo or just recycle an old PC. Shame really.
Rob
How Much?!
Thats VERY pricey!
@Piro: 1) Add a USB 10/100 NIC and you have it, and
2) You would REALLY pay THAT MUCH for a machine to use as a router?!
