At the Google IO conference just a few weeks ago, Google suggested that Samsung would launch a low power (ie. nettop) PC running Chrome OS.  Now, it’s come out that a company called Xi3 may beat Samsung to the punch with a nettop computer running the open source version of Chrome OS. Their  Xi3 ChromiumPC is due out on July 4th.

The ChromiumPC is a small form factor computer measuring about 3″ x 3.7″ x 3.7″. The system is modular, with three components:

• Processor Module with CPU and RAM
• Primary I/O module with communication ports
• Secondary I/O module with Ethernet, video, and power connections

The XI3 is modular in nature, which should  make it easy to upgrade the computer just by removing a side panel, sliding out an old module and sliding in a new one.  Xi3 says the computer will use less than 20W of power, but the closest the company gives to a description of the processor is that it will be a dual or single-core 64-bit x86 processor.

There’s also no word on the price yet.



SeaMicro has begun offering the SM10000 server packed with 256 Intel Atom N570 dual core 1.66 GHz chips.  The main benefit of using the Atom processor, the company says, is that the system uses about 75 percent less power than a typical server in its class and takes up less space. The SM10000 takes a nettop-like approach by using low power processors to achieve tasks that are normally handled by chips that are more powerful and more expensive.

Tux-Planet reports that Mozilla recently acquired an SM10000 server to help distribute Firefox 4.

via Blogeee

Up until now, the Asus Eee Box line of nettops has been exclusively powered by Intel Atom chips.   Sure, some high performance models had NVIDIA graphics processors, but under the hood every Eee Box had Intel inside. Now, however, two new Intel Eee Boxes will be powered by the brand new AMD processors.

The Asus Eee Box EB1021 has a 1.6 GHz AMD E-350 dual core processor and Radeon HD 6310 graphics. It supports Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit or Windows 7 Professional and can handle up to 4GB of RAM. The computer will be available with up to 320GB of hard drive space, 802.11n WiFi, Gigabit Ethernet, and a decent array of ports including HDMI and D-Sub out jacks, 2 USB 3.0 ports, and 4 USB 2.0 ports.

The EB1021 consumes between 11W and 27.5W of power which is pretty good by desktop PC standards, even if it seems like a bit of an energy hog compared to its sibling, the Asus Eee Box EB1020.

The Eee Box EB1020 uses between 9W and 19W of energy, thanks to a 1 GHz AMD C-50 dual core processor and Radeon HD 6250 graphics. In my test, this chip offers Intel Atom-like performance for most tasks, but much better performance with 3D graphics and HD video.

The EB1020 is nearly identical to the EB1021. Both models measure 8.7″ x 7″x 1.2″ and weigh 2.4 pounds. Both models include a desktop stand, so you can use them on your desk or you can mount them to the back of a display with an optional VESA mount.

via Notebook Italia

Linutop has been producing tiny low power Linux-based computers since before the nettop term was coined, and their latest effort is called the Linutop 4.

This new model features a  1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, 1GB of DDR2 memory and 2GB of flash storage – much like the outgoing Linutop 3, but the best news is that the Linutop 4 is much smaller and lighter weighing just just 2.1 pounds and measuring 7.1 ” x 7.9″ x 1.4″.

The Linutop 4 runs a customized version of Ubuntu Linux called Linutop 4 with  Firefox 3.6, OpenOffice.org 3.2, VLC Media Player pre-installed.  Hardware-wise, there are VGA and DVI ports supportign resolutions up to 1920 x 1440 pxiesl,  5 USB 2.0 ports, 2 SATA connectors, a 2.5 inch drive bay, PCIe slot, and Gigabit Ethernet. One of the best features is a noise-free a fanless design and a power consumption of just 14 watts.

Pricing for the new Linutop 4 is somewhat pricey at 400 Euros, or about $575 US, but there is a cheaper Linutop 2 with a VIA C7 processor, 512MB of RAM and 1GB of storage for just 280 Euros ($403). That model uses just 8W of power and weighs just 1.3 pounds.

via Blogeee

Google’s launched a new Chromebook platform, as well as a pair of Chrome OS netbooks at their I/O conference today. Basically Chrome OS is a light weight, fast-booting operating system that’s designed to support a powerful web browser. It can run on any hardware and nettops won’t be left out as Google also revealed they are working on a Chromebox nettop computer.

Unlike the Chromebooks, Google didn’t unveil many details about the tiny desktop today, but we got to see a few pictures and we found out that the first Chromebox will be aimed at enterprise customers initially.

via This is my next