ARM PC/HTPCs are getting interesting! (Via's APC (Android PC) announced).

[Scott Sullivan]

# Via APC

Via has just recently announced a Neo-ITX form factor (drops into any 
miniITX or microATX) Android PC board. It is expected to retail around 
the $49 price point.

http://apc.io/about/
http://www.viagallery.com/Subcategory/apc.aspx

While the lack of SATA and/or miniPCIe leaves a something to be desired, 
I find it interesting to see a major board designer getting into this 
low cost ARM system market.

# Mele A1000/A2000

Personally, I just received last week my Mele A1000.

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/mele-1080p-android-2-3-internet-tv-set-top-box-w-wifi-optical-3-x-usb-hdmi-av-lan-sd-119913

It's got a very full feature set at a reasonable price. Allwinner, the 
makers of the A10 SoC are open-source friendly and have released all the 
source code. There are now workable Debian and Ubuntu Images for this 
device.

http://rhombus-tech.net/allwinner_a10/hacking_the_mele_a1000/

The A2000 is the same main=board with a smaller case and no HDD 
enclosure. The specs for it on Dealextreme are just wrong so I'm not 
posting the link.

# General

The OLPC XO proved you really could ride Mores Law in the other
direction. Raspberry Pi gave it mass appeal.

With the market going the way it is, I'd like to hear from GTALUGers.

1) What they would be doing with these devices?
2) What would you expect in term of support before you try one?
3) What feature set do you think these boards/systems should be 
targeting? At what price would you pay for that feature set?

-- 
Scott Sullivan
--
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