INTERACT FORUM

Devices => PC's and Other Hardware => Topic started by: JimH on February 24, 2009, 06:26:03 pm

Title: Night Light Computer
Post by: JimH on February 24, 2009, 06:26:03 pm

I see a lot of new hardware that isn't too different.  This one is (thanks Engadget):

http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/24/marvells-sheevaplug-linux-pc-fits-in-its-power-adapter/

Now what could we do with it?

Title: Re: Night Light Computer
Post by: newsposter on February 24, 2009, 07:15:08 pm

low-power WAP??

Title: Re: Night Light Computer
Post by: benn600 on February 24, 2009, 07:20:40 pm

I can't help but wish that was a HTPC.  HDMI & USB infrared receiver.  Silent, ehh?

Title: Re: Night Light Computer
Post by: Christopher Robin on February 24, 2009, 10:02:31 pm

It's a pretty cool little box, but I wonder why. It plugs in to a wall, but isn't set up for ethernet over powerline, so you'd still have to plug an ethernet cable in to it. It looks gimmicky to me - like the Macbook Air but even moreso: "how small can we make a computer".  But I don't see a clear purpose for this...

Low power WAP - no wireless support in that tiny box.

HTPC - not enough memory to store stuff.

You could plug a USB drive into it and use it as a poor man's NAS or internet access to your files. Would it run Library Server or UPnP Server? No, it's ARM based.

Given the idea of NAS/internet access for your files, I'd prefer something bigger that had a cable modem/dsl modem access in it.

You could use it for Mr. House http://misterhouse.sourceforge.net/ style stuff, but you'll still need the pesky ethernet cable hanging off of it.

Anyone else have any ideas?

CR

Title: Re: Night Light Computer
Post by: benn600 on February 24, 2009, 10:22:28 pm

That would look great.  Picture a wall with power outlets and ethernet a few feet away.  Then picture a cable dangling, taught between the computer and the ports.

Title: Re: Night Light Computer
Post by: newsposter on February 24, 2009, 10:26:13 pm

use your imagination....

There are plenty of 802.11 USB dongles out there.....

Title: Re: Night Light Computer
Post by: zxsix on February 25, 2009, 11:17:48 am

it could certainly be used as an apache web server.
most websites wouldn't consume that 512MB in content.

Title: Re: Night Light Computer
Post by: benn600 on February 25, 2009, 12:59:01 pm

That would be interesting.  What's that big block in the wall?  Oh, that hosts my web site.  Oh no, someone knocked it out of the socket!  My site is down!!!

Perhaps a cubed inch UPS internally would be in line?