The guys over at Computer Shopper have managed to get their hands on one of Shuttle’s new small form factor Linux PCs the Shuttle KPC.

Here’s a snippet of what they had to say about this new low cost Linux PC.

The KPC is not about high-performance computing (which you shouldn’t expect at the price). Still, it’s hardly lame. We stacked it against an older 3.2GHz Pentium 4 system running Vista Ultimate, with 2GB of memory and a 320GB hard drive; it’s a computer we’ve overclocked and upgraded over the years to keep relevant, but it’s one that really should be retired. Using basic productivity software—Firefox, Microsoft Word and Excel, as well as the latter two’s OpenOffice.org equivalents Write and Calc—the little KPC held its own.

Loading a large Excel spreadsheet that required a significant number of recalculations was an 8.2-second task for the Pentium 4, but it took just 6.3 seconds on the KPC. An intricate Web page with multiple links and images took Firefox 5.4 seconds to load on the Pentium 4 but only 4 seconds on the KPC. Finally, the two practically tied when doing 895 “Find and Replace” operations: Word finished in 0.68 second, while Write was just behind it at 0.66 second. Keep in mind that adding additional memory to the KPC should boost performance.

Overall they have given it an 8 out of 10 which is pretty decent considering the low cost of this mini Linux PC, I cant wait for this to hit the stores as it is at the top of my gadget shopping list, I will post a full review when I manage to get my hands on one.

Head on over to Computer Shopper and read the full review.

via Engadget

It looks like Asus is set to launch the next generation of its popular Eee PC, the Eee PC 900.

This new model will remain the same size as the existing Eee Pc, but will feature a larger 9 inch screen as well as 1GB of memory as standard and storage will be bumped up to 12GB.

The Eee PC 900 will also feature a faster processor, although no details have been confirmed on exactly which one, and the Eee PC 900 should retail for around 399 Euros from the current base price of 299 Euros, although there is no confirmation on how this will effect the US pricing.

I have to admit, the only thing that has stopped me from buying an Eee PC so far has been the screen, if they bring this model out I think I may have to get one.

via Engadget, Eee Site and Blogeee

Updated 03/03/2007

Welcome Digg users, I have just found out that this article was scraped from this site by www.insanityville.com and then submitted to Digg.

I have contacted the owner of that website and he has agreed to remove the article and redirect it here, so here is the original article listed below, please feel free to check out the rest of the site.

Cheers

Fatgadget 

Everex, the company that brought us the Cloudbook is going after Mini PCs like the Mac Mini with this Linux Powered Mini PC.

The Everex Mini come with a 1.86GHZ Intel Pentium Dual Core Mobile Processor, 512MB of RAM, a 120GB hard drive, a built in DVDRW and Intel GMA950 graphics.

There is also Realtek ALC268 High Definition Audio, Ethernet, DVI-I, S-Video, Firewire, 4 USB ports and a built in 4 in 1 media card reader.

The Everex gPC Mini runs gOS and comes with several open source and free applications such as OpenOffice 2.3, Firefox, GIMP, as well as linked applications like gMail, Facebook and others.

The Everex gPC Mini will go on sale in March for $499.

Product Page via Electronista

SD-Omega have announced a Linux compatible mini PC designed to be used in cars that can support dual displays.

The SD631T can run dual displays, that can show different things, for example the display in the front of the car could display GPS to the driver, whilst the passengers in the back of the car could surf the web with the second display.

Here’s the specs

•  Intel i915GM / ICH 6M supporting Intel Pentium M / Celeron M up to 2.13GHz; 400/533MHz front-side bus
• Memory — supports SO DIMM DDR II 400/533MHz
• Video — Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950; supports DVI, VGA and TV-Out; simultaneous or extended display
• Audio — AC ‘97; Realtek 650
• Storage — supports a 2.5-inch SATA hard drive and CD/DVD drive
• Networking — Intel Pro 10/100 Fast Ethernet
• USB — 3 x USB 2.0/1.1
• Other I/O:
• 1394-Firewire (Agere FW323),DVI,PC-104 plus,PS/2 keyboard and mouse,Mic-in,Serial Port,Earphone,Line-Out
• Power — DC 12V
• Dimensions — 5.8 x 10 x 1.6 inches (14.5 x 25 x 4.3 cm)
• Weight — 3.3 lbs (1.5kg) (fully equipped)

No word on pricing or availability as yet.

via Linux Devices

StreamMyGame.com has announced the launch of its free Linux player, which is an application that enables you to play PC games on a PS3 running Linux.

The free StreamMyGame Server enables PC games to be played remotely by converting the game’s video and audio into a Game Stream and sending it over a home network to a second computer where you can view and play the game with the free StreamMyGame Player.

The second computer can be a PC, laptop, PS3 or Linux device. The game can be played on the second computer without any lag and the second computer does not need to have the game installed.

The StreamMyGame Server is compatible with Windows XP, Vista and all computer games based on Microsoft’s DirectX8, DirectX9, DirectX10 including the latest games such as PES 2008 and Crysis and OpenGL standards.

The StreamMyGame Player is compatible with Windows XP, Vista and Linux with resolutions up to Super HDTV 3200 x 2400. Compatible Linux installations include Ubuntu and Yellow Dog Linux, recommended by Sony for the PS3.

StreamMyGame is available for free over at StreamMyGame.com.

via Akihabara News

Shuttle who are well known for their barbones cases, announced a new PC at this years CES.

The Shuttle KPC, will come in two options a barebones kit, and a fully built PC running Linux.

The full PC version will feature an Intel Celeron processorm a 945GC chipset, 512MB of memory and either a 60GB or 80GB hard drive and a 100W PSU.

The Shuttle KPC will cost $199, and if you want the barebones version it is going to cost $99.

The barebones KPC will have the option to upgrade to a Intel Core2Duo processor and 1GB of Ram.

It should go on sale in the next couple of months, and I have to say it looks great from the pictures.

via AnandTech

Everex has officially announced the Cloudbook Linux UMPC at this years CES.

This tiny Linux powered PC has its sights on the hugely popular Asus Eee PC.

It measures 9 inches long and only weighs 2 pounds. It has a 7 inch screen with a resolution of 800 x 480, a 1.2GHZ Via C7-m ULV mobile processor, 512MB of ram and a 30GB HDD.

There is also built in WiFi, a 4-in-1 card reader and a a 1.3MP webcam.

It will run gOS (A Google themed version of Linux), and is reported to have a battery life of 5 Hours.

The Everex Cloudbook will go on sale for $399.

via I4U

Asus has shown off a new prototype version of their Asus Eee PC at CES.

This new version sports an 8 inch screen instead of the 7 inch one on the current Eee PC.

From the look of the photos this looks great compared to the current Eee, although the resolution remains the same at 800 x 480.

No word on when it will be released or pricing, but Asus have also confirmed that there will also be another Eee PC with an 8.9 inch screen.

via Jkkmobile

Check out this tiny Linux PC called the LimePC M1 from FreeScale.

It is smaller than an Apple iPod Nano, and it runs LimeOS, which is based on Debian Linux, it feature a full screen HTML based user interface and web 2.0 applications.

It features the FreeScale MPC5121e CPU, it also features Audio cards, PCI, Ethernet, SATA and a USB Motherboard.

Unfortunately those are the only details available at the moment.

via I4U

OpenMoko, the company that brought us the Neo1973 open source Linux powered mobile phone will be releasing a new Linux powered open source mobile this year.

The New version called the Neo FreeRunner will come with built in WiFi, 3D accelerometers and a faster processor.

Heres the specs.

• Processor — Samsung S3C2442 500MHz
• RAM — 128MB
• Flash — 256MB
• Display — 4.3-inch diagonal WQVGA Color TFT LCD (480×272)
• Graphics — SMedia 3362-based 3D graphics acceleration
• Accelerometers — 2 x 3D accelerometers
• Audio — “high-quality” audio codec
• USB — 1 x version 1.1
• Cellular — 2.5G tri-band GPRS/GSM (900MHz or 850MHz)
• WiFi — 802.11b/g WiFi
• Bluetooth — version 2.0
• GPS — AGPS (assisted global positioning system) receiver

The Neo FreeRunner will go on sale in the spring,no word on pricing as yet.

via Linux Devices

Check out this Fan-less Linux PC from Compulab.

It is roughly the size of a paperback book, and it only uses a small amount of power between 3 to 5 watts.

The fitPC comes with Linux pre-installed and is design to fit into spaces where conventional PC’s can’t.

According to Compulab the fit-PC is based on the company’s CM-iGLX computer-on-module (COM), reported as the world’s smallest LX800-based single-board computer when it was introduced. The module has a 500 MHz AMD Geode LX800 processor, and is equipped with 256 MB of DDR RAM and up to 512 MB of NAND flash.

The fitPC is designed to be virtually maintenance free and ideal for 24/7 use in the home or office.

The is no fan, but the fitPC is cooled by its black anodized case, which serves as a heat sink.

The Specs

• 40 GB hard drive
• Dual 100 Mbps Ethernet
• SXGA graphics controller, resolution to 1920 x 1440
• 2 USB 2.0 high speed ports
• Audio in/out interfaces
• RS-232 serial port
• Single 5V power supply
• Dimensions — 4.7 x 4.6 x 1.6 inches (120 x 116 x 40 mm)

It is also possible to run Windows XP on the fit PC, and you can order it online for $285 (About £140) plus delivery.

fitPC Via Linuxdevices

The Aleutia E1 is a mini Linux PC, which comes in a tough aluminium case, has no moving parts and also runs in complete silence.

The cool thing about this mini linux PC is that it uses only 8 watts of power, which is about a quarter of the power used by an average laptop.

It runs the Puppy Linux OS, and also comes with office compatible software.
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