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

[Lennart Sorensen]

On Tue, May 22, 2012 at 01:44:28PM -0400, D. Hugh Redelmeier wrote:
> Lots of little things.  Perhaps:
> 
> - file server
> 
> - internet gateway

Not very many systems with multiple ethernet ports unfortunately.

> - myth client

I am looking forward to having a silent low power but completely full
hd capable frontend.

> Strengths: low power, quiet, small.
> 
> | 2) What would you expect in term of support before you try one?
> 
> I want all my friends to have one so that I don't have to figure out
> the gotchas on my own.  That's one reason your message is heartening.
> 
> It would be nice if the product looked to be part of a continuing
> series.  Eventually, any box will be obsolete.

Potentially a problem, but that is true of all computers.

> | 3) What feature set do you think these boards/systems should be targeting? At
> | what price would you pay for that feature set?
> 
> Features I'd like for at least some applications:
> 
> - I'd like multiple ethernet interfaces to make router's possible.
>   I've now got a work-around for that.
> 
> - I'd like gigabit ethernet since that makes a better server
> 
> - I'd like USB3 so that disk access can be fast.  eSATA would be good
>   now but I imagine that USB3 will displace it and is more versatile.

I don't think so.  SATA is the native interface of the harddisk.  I don't
think you will ever see a harddisk with native USB3.  External enclosures
sure.  It is much more complex to implement USB handshaking and boot
than SATA is.  SATA isn't going anywhere.

> - to give the device more flexibility and longevity, I'd like a lot of
>   RAM.  These days, in the PC world, 4G is $20 retail -- well worth it.

Well ARM being 32bit (still) you are not going to see 4GB+ ram on one.
This is changing of course but it will be a few more years.  64bit ARM
is coming, as is 32bit ARM with PAE like support for extra ram.

> - video is a problem.  I want open source drivers.  And I want
>   licenses for CODECs.  Not sure they mix.

It's a problem yes.  At least someone is working on open source drivers
for the ARM MALI 200/400 video core.  No such luck for the AMD design
on my i.mx53.

> Bonuses are nice.  The Mele A1000's remote looks like fun.  WiFi is
> sometimes useful.  Lots of flash can be useful.

microSD takes care of flash letting you pick the size.  Being unbrickable
is rather nice, which is becoming quite common on arm designs now.

-- 
Len Sorensen
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