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1.0GHz P3 In A CD-ROM Drive Bay

Posted by timothy on Sat Dec 07, 2002 02:05 PM
from the thick-as-a-briq dept.
Migraine Man writes "Similar to the PPC-based Briq, the folks at Stealth Computer have introduced an Intel-based PC that's built into a 5.25" CD-ROM-sized enclosure. It's got a 1.0GHz P3, 256M RAM, 20G HD, 10/100 eth, CD-ROM, USB, FireWire, video, and sound. At USD 995, it's reasonably priced too. You could put three of 'em on a 1U rackmount shelf, or stuff several into a mid-tower and build your own desktop cluster. A summary datasheet is here. Very cool."
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  • Huh? by Trusty Penfold (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:07PM
    • Re:Huh? by Toraz Chryx (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:09PM
      • Re:Huh? by roseblood (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @06:51PM
      • Re:Huh? by roseblood (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @06:56PM
        • Re:Huh? by TheCrazyFinn (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @08:50PM
          • Re:Huh? by rEWDBOi (Score:1) Monday December 09 2002, @04:55AM
          • 1 reply beneath your current threshold.
    • Re:Huh? by Raven1 (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:11PM
    • Re:Huh? by fredrikj (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:15PM
    • Humour imparied.... by jonr (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:36PM
    • Re:Huh? (Score:5, Insightful)

      by Catbeller (118204) on Saturday December 07 2002, @03:16PM (#4833970) Homepage
      It's the slim slot running along the top of the faceplate, methinks.

      This is truly cool. Car use? You can pop it out when you park and put it in your backpack. Take it home, network it to your main box and load up them MP3s and Divx files.

      It wouldn't take much to hook up a teensy LCD screen to this. Fold out a mini keyboard from the bottom of the unit, flip up the screen from the top, and you have a nano PC.
      [ Parent ]
      • Re:Huh? by Arnold_Crenshaw (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @03:58PM
      • Re:Huh? by microsost (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @09:01PM
      • 1 reply beneath your current threshold.
    • More important question by Guppy06 (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @05:08PM
    • Re:Huh? What about the keyboard? by Presence2 (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @05:54PM
    • Re:Huh? by Jucius Maximus (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @10:28PM
    • Re:Huh? by Wolfrider (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @04:52PM
    • Re:You can click my homepage... by saskboy (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @05:21PM
    • 2 replies beneath your current threshold.
  • desktop? by The J Kid (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:07PM
  • one word by RobertTaylor (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:08PM
    • Re:one word by sirtimbly (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:50PM
    • Re:one word by Some Dumbass... (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:57PM
      • 1 reply beneath your current threshold.
    • Re:one word by DoraLives (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @03:43PM
      • Re:one word by RobertTaylor (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @06:42PM
  • couldn't you do a via eden for $? (Score:5, Informative)

    by draziw (7737) on Saturday December 07 2002, @02:09PM (#4833611) Journal
    Something like a VIA EPIA EM 6000, for way way less $. (eg: under half the cost). And you would have a system that is Mini-ITX Form Factor, Micro ATX Chassis Compliant. - Not a custom hard to fix type system.
  • Servers (Score:5, Insightful)

    by MattCohn.com (555899) on Saturday December 07 2002, @02:09PM (#4833614) Homepage
    I totaly agree, I think those are very cool. Especialy for servers. Imagine having a stack of 10 dedicated servers you were leasing out in a neat little stack. Only question is... upgradeability? Are these going to be disposable computers, or will one be able to replace parts inside? (CPU/RAM/HD...)
    • Re:Servers by Golias (Score:3) Saturday December 07 2002, @03:35PM
    • Re:Servers by werschi (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @03:44PM
      • 1 reply beneath your current threshold.
    • Re:Servers by ulmanms (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @10:37PM
  • Heat dissipation? (Score:5, Insightful)

    by JessLeah (625838) on Saturday December 07 2002, @02:09PM (#4833615)
    What happens if you shove four of these in four consecutive (vertically) 5.25" drive bays? Would they overheat? That might limit the usefulness if you had to space them out... you'd have to buy twice as big a case as physically needed. Maybe if you alternated... P3, coolerunit, P3, coolerunit, P3.... ;)
  • Where's the heatsink? by grumpygrodyguy (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:10PM
  • Wait.... (Score:5, Funny)

    by dirkdidit (550955) on Saturday December 07 2002, @02:11PM (#4833626) Homepage
    So techincally I could put these in the open 5 1/4" bays in my desktop? And have a self contained beowulf cluster? And enough heat to make the sun seem insignificant? w00t Where do I sign up???
    • 1 reply beneath your current threshold.
  • So small, it's... by Ananamas Coughrad (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:11PM
  • power source? by hfastedge (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:12PM
  • Opportunity for Humor... (Score:5, Funny)

    by Quaoar (614366) on Saturday December 07 2002, @02:12PM (#4833642)
    Someone needs to buy the biggest computer case they can find...fill it with half a dozen fans, neon lights, a see-through panel, colored wiring... ...and then just slap one of these bad boys in the 5.25" bay. Hilarious!
  • What niche (Score:5, Interesting)

    by 1984 (56406) on Saturday December 07 2002, @02:15PM (#4833659)
    This isn't a troll, but what exactly is the niche? For not a lot more size, but less money, you could have a shoebox PC like a Shuttle SS40. For not a lot more space you could buy a laptop of the same performance, and have screen and keyboard. And you still have to plug all the wires in the back and (by the looks of it) provide top and rear venting, so you can't just pack 'em in a rack like crazy.

    So, serious question: what's the niche? They're cool, yes, but beyond that?
    • Re:What niche by Toraz Chryx (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:18PM
      • Re:What niche by 1984 (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:26PM
        • Re:What niche by los furtive (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @03:38PM
          • Re:What niche by werschi (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @03:47PM
          • Re:What niche by Judg3 (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @05:33PM
    • Put it in your car by noitalever (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @03:27PM
    • Re:What niche by Anonymous Coward (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @03:28PM
      • 1 reply beneath your current threshold.
    • Re:What niche by Roonster (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @04:00PM
      • Robotics by SpaceJunkie (Score:1) Sunday December 08 2002, @06:15AM
    • Re:What niche (Score:5, Insightful)

      by ChronosX (18644) on Saturday December 07 2002, @04:08PM (#4834207)
      Your arguments are sound. The folks at Stealth Computers Corporation appear to agree with you. They aren't going after those markets.

      The webpage [stealthcomputer.com] the Little PC's outlines some targeted markets:
      Applications:

      Digital Signs & New Media Applications
      Kiosks & Public Access Displays
      Information Appliance
      Embedded Systems
      Process Control & Factory Automation
      Mobile Applications, trains planes & autos
      Ideal for any space constrained application

      If you're making a digital sign or a wall mounted kiosk in a mall, you could literally screw this little beast to the back of the unit (or inside) and no one would ever know it's there.

      The size does make all the difference in the world when you want the computer out of sight/out of mind and space is a luxury you don't have.

      It doesn't appear this device was ever meant for home use or a replacement for blade servers.
      [ Parent ]
    • Redundant server units / Evolving server by MarcQuadra (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @05:33PM
    • Re:What niche by LinuxHam (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @07:31PM
      • Re:What niche by Cloud 9 (Score:2) Sunday December 08 2002, @05:50AM
    • Small homebuilt aircraft. by Nick Driver (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @08:29PM
    • Re:What niche by Jucius Maximus (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @10:38PM
    • 2 replies beneath your current threshold.
  • Why the CD ROM? (Score:5, Insightful)

    by melonman (608440) on Saturday December 07 2002, @02:15PM (#4833662) Journal

    Wouldn't it be about 3 times smaller if it didn't have the CD ROM? Then you could plug in a USB one when you need it, or share one CD between half a dozen units, or whatever.

  • reasonably priced? by DarkHelmet (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:16PM
    • Re:reasonably priced? by Toraz Chryx (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:23PM
    • Re:reasonably priced? by YahoKa (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:23PM
    • Re:reasonably priced? (Score:5, Funny)

      by ThogScully (589935) <neilsd@neilschelly.com> on Saturday December 07 2002, @02:24PM (#4833720) Homepage
      You can put a 286 inside a wristwatch, it doesn't make it worth 5000 USD.

      Imagine a Bluetooth beowulf cluster of these watches from the combined people walking around Times Square at any given moment.
      -N

      [ Parent ]
    • Re:reasonably priced? by caino59 (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:26PM
    • Re:reasonably priced? (Score:5, Interesting)

      by beckett (27524) on Saturday December 07 2002, @02:33PM (#4833772) Homepage
      miniaturization does carry a price, and people do pay more for small computers [slashdot.org]. This article [msn.com] illustrates the differences between the market that asks for speed, compared to the market that asks for good design.

      this computer is not powerful at all, but how much power would someone need for office chores? this is perfect for the office environment. good for anything that can't have a large bulky computer case lying around.

      I think it's laudable that mfgs. build different designs, especially smaller designs. i think that computers would be way more useful if they were designed for the purpose in mind, rather than simply cramming a hot running processor into the cheapest, ugliest box and calling it a "gaming machine". once people start thinking of computers like appliances rather than "OMG 3ghz box!" then we'll see a dramatic change in the way people use computers.

      Gradually, we'll see people become less concerned about raw speed and more at making computers actually fit your lifestyle, rather than the other way around.
      [ Parent ]
    • Re:reasonably priced? by Migraineman (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:38PM
    • Re:reasonably priced? by Ryan Amos (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @03:20PM
    • Re:reasonably priced? by len_harms (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @03:55PM
    • Space, power, and heat by phorm (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @07:37PM
      • NIghtrider by SpaceJunkie (Score:1) Sunday December 08 2002, @06:28AM
    • 2 replies beneath your current threshold.
  • This isn't too new of an idea =) (Score:5, Informative)

    by nekdut (74793) on Saturday December 07 2002, @02:16PM (#4833669) Journal
    The Cappucino TX-3 has had similar or even better specs for quite a while now, and its pretty similar in size:

    -Intel 815 motherboard
    -1.2 Ghz Intel Pentium III processor
    -512MB 144-pin PC133 RAM
    -30 GB internal hard drive
    -Your choice of 24x CD-ROM, 8x DVD-ROM, or 8x/8x/24x/8x DVD/CD-RW combo drive
    -Built-in 10/100 base-T ethernet (RJ45)
    -Internal 56K V.90 modem
    -Four USB ports (USB 1.1)
    -Two FireWire ports (IEEE 1394)
    -No operating system installed.
    -All standard I/O ports built-in
    -Dimensions: 6" x 5.75" x 2.25"
    -Manufacturer Warranty: 1 year

    Also, CappucinoPC have the Mocha P4 machine which is slightly bigger and has specs rivaling current fully loaded computers.

    Check out these links:

    Cappucino TX-3 at Thinkgeek [thinkgeek.com]
    Mocha P4 at Cappucinopc.com [cappuccinopc.com]
    A review of what appears to be the Mocha at Tomshardware [tomshardware.com]
  • Impressive by shoemakc (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:16PM
    • Re:Impressive by sonny317 (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:41PM
  • Slashvertisment? (Score:5, Funny)

    by I Am The Owl (531076) on Saturday December 07 2002, @02:19PM (#4833684) Homepage Journal
    All you're missing are links to this product as seen on ThinkGeek.
  • Who's going to be buying these? by rice_web (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:20PM
  • These would go great.. by Space Coyote (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:22PM
  • Why this is useless by 403Forbidden (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:26PM
  • One for my car, please (Score:5, Interesting)

    by whterbt (211035) <m6d07iv02@sneakemail.com> on Saturday December 07 2002, @02:29PM (#4833753)

    This would be a great thing to install in your dashboard. You could have a self-contained computer that works as a GPS moving map (connect the GPS antenna to the USB port), CD/DVD player, MP3 player, game system, wireless internet, and so forth. You'd just need to pick up an LCD screen to go with it.

    Not that I'm advocating people typing email messages or playing UT while driving -- they're distracted enough as it is. But this would be great for the passengers, especially on road trips!

  • barebones version (Score:5, Informative)

    by narada (187367) on Saturday December 07 2002, @02:31PM (#4833761)
    You can get the barebones version of this computer from caseoutlet (http://www.caseoutlet.com/NWPc/Sumi/Sumi.html) for significantly less (about $330 to be specific). it you put a via c3, which can be passively cooled, you have a ultra small, super silent puter. of course, you'd probably be better off getting one of the new via epia m mother boards and putting it in a custom case; it end up being about the same size, cost less, and offer more (usb 2.0, tv out, etc).
    • Thanks by Migraineman (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @03:13PM
    • 2 replies beneath your current threshold.
  • Imagine. by halftrack (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:33PM
  • Better not rack-mount it by phr2 (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:33PM
  • A computer within a computer... by Cyno01 (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:35PM
  • USD 995 by Caractacus Potts (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:37PM
    • Re:USD 995 by KieranElby (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:48PM
    • Re:USD 995 by keldog728 (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:49PM
    • Re:USD 995 by Migraineman (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @03:00PM
      • Re:USD 995 by the grace of R'hllor (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @03:36PM
        • Re:USD 995 by ari_j (Score:3) Saturday December 07 2002, @03:40PM
          • 1 reply beneath your current threshold.
    • Re:USD 995 by dermusikman (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @09:17PM
    • 2 replies beneath your current threshold.
  • Cool ? by Catskul (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:38PM
  • In the car? by Looke (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:40PM
  • six words by dermusikman (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:41PM
  • Perfect HTPC! (Score:3, Interesting)

    by essell (446524) on Saturday December 07 2002, @02:50PM (#4833857)
    When I saw the pictures of this tiny little unit, I thought one thing: HTPC (That's Home Theater PC).

    It would be especially nice to fit these units with a DVD-Rom to make a compact home-brew DVD/PVR/Photo/Video Jukebox. Especially considering your video input options for the PVR portion: DV/Firewire, USB capture device... whatever.
    • 1 reply beneath your current threshold.
  • Cool ideas... by BSOD from above (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:58PM
  • hmmmm by Vilim (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:59PM
    • Re:hmmmm by Trusty Penfold (Score:3) Saturday December 07 2002, @03:04PM
      • 1 reply beneath your current threshold.
  • How many computers can you fit in a computer case? by Webmonger (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @03:08PM
  • TV inn/out? (Score:5, Interesting)

    by PsychoKiller (20824) on Saturday December 07 2002, @03:11PM (#4833938) Homepage
    This doesn't have TV out, which would be nice for making a PVR box. Are there any USB TV in/out adapters (supported in Linux, natch) that could be used with this thing?
  • This mini computer has done it for a while :^) by nesthigh (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @03:16PM
    • *UPDATE* by nesthigh (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @03:25PM
  • imac wannabe by sickmtbnutcase (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @03:16PM
  • Leet, leet, leet... by grub (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @03:19PM
  • where is this? by Anonymous Coward (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @03:21PM
    • Find a ruler by Migraineman (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @03:45PM
  • Nice but.. (Score:5, Insightful)

    by grub (11606) <slashdot@grub.net> on Saturday December 07 2002, @03:22PM (#4834017) Homepage Journal

    As nice as these small units are, I'd like to see some wee machines built that stick in dual processors and a couple of 10/100/1000 NICs. No fancy 3D video, no firewire. Just beef to cluster together.
  • heh heh by Calaf (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @03:43PM
  • Picture of the CD-ROM PC by Anonymous Coward (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @03:53PM
  • case mod by spazoid12 (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @04:09PM
  • Why did I buy a laptop? by Pedrito (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @04:14PM
  • My dream machine. by jericho4.0 (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @04:17PM
  • Showing my age... by daVinci1980 (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @04:24PM
  • Wow! by DarthWing (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @04:30PM
  • Hmmm... by Pig Hogger (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @04:30PM
  • Power by Matthew Weigel (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @04:35PM
    • Oops by Matthew Weigel (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @04:57PM
    • Re:Power by Marqis (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @05:21PM
      • Re:Power by Matthew Weigel (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @05:42PM
  • ATX Power supply connections? by sjbe (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @05:14PM
  • wearables by simonjester2424 (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @05:20PM
  • ahh yes by cr@ckwhore (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @05:29PM
    • Re:ahh yes by SpaceJunkie (Score:1) Sunday December 08 2002, @07:53AM
  • pricing question... by xombo (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @05:48PM
  • too wasteful for clustering by Artifex (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @06:05PM
  • Stackability by cemysce (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @07:12PM
  • Nice And All, But.... by Naked Chef (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @08:32PM
  • Imagine! by Kaz Riprock (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @08:40PM
  • All your.. by Bodhammer (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @11:59PM
  • Nothing new there... by Ares Halcyon (Score:1) Sunday December 08 2002, @03:21AM
  • You mean like a SPARCplug from 1996? by Gldm (Score:2) Sunday December 08 2002, @03:50AM
  • Last Post! by alpg (Score:1) Saturday December 21 2002, @05:36PM
  • Re:In Soviet Russia.... by captainstupid (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @02:52PM
    • 1 reply beneath your current threshold.
  • Re:In Soviet Russia.... by josh crawley (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @03:23PM
  • Re:Compare the Xserve to this thing by Nemith (Score:2) Saturday December 07 2002, @04:45PM
  • Re:Anything with two interfaces by swg101 (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @05:27PM
  • Re:This would be good for by Toraz Chryx (Score:1) Saturday December 07 2002, @08:39PM
  • Re:This would be good for by TheOnlyCoolTim (Score:2) Sunday December 08 2002, @03:39AM
  • 29 replies beneath your current threshold.