14 DAY TRIAL // Once Linux’s popularity rises and its multimedia capabilities are better extended and easier to use, we're starting to see more ARM-based computers competing for the low-end market against x86 systems. Such a computer is the Waysmall Silverlode Computer, which is powered by a Texas Instruments Sitara AM3703 processor.
The system is reportedly made by a privately owned California-based company called Gumstix and it comes with multiple connectivity and multimedia options.
The Waysmall Silverlode Computer is targeting industrial applications, but it can be used for a lot of tasks.
The processor powering it is built by Texas Instruments and uses a classic ARM Cortex A8 architecture.
To help the user access and enjoy the features with more ease, the Waysmall Silverlode Computer comes preloaded with a Gumstix customized distribution of Ubuntu Linux.
On the connectivity side, the Waysmall Silverlode Computer is well endowed and comes with a HDMI (DVI-D) connector, an RJ45 LAN port, a USB host port, a USB outgoing port, a USB console port, the usual stereo audio jacks and a microSD card slot that’s accessible by removing a small panel.
The computer ships together with an 8GB microSD card, but larger cards can be used to augment the storage capacity.
System RAM memory is 512 MB in size and the operating system sits on a 512 MB NAND.
The performance might be modest, but it’s likely enough for browsing the Internet, office applications and enjoying some multimedia content.
You could set up a whole internet café with these things and get a considerably lower power bill, considering the minuscule current consumption and the modest heat dissipation.
Integrating it into your car is another idea, but the reality is that possibilities are quite diverse.
