VIA $49 APC Android computer

[Asteroid]

Hmm this sounds similar in design to the various Dealextreme netbooks, which already have a small Linux following. http://www.slatedroid.com/topic/2891...gnome-desktop/

That said Android looks pretty usable on this thing, vastly better than those old Android-x86 builds for keyboard and mouse use.

Also I like that it is built around standard-ish pc design. I'd screw it into a full size ATX case and psu... just cause I can.

[ikonz0r]

That apc website doesnt work. anyone have an alternate where to order one from?

cheers

[Cask]

so much want!

group buy anyone? lol

[stmok]

Originally Posted by ernie

The CPU is a WonderMedia Prizm WM8750 which is based on the VIA 800Mhz ARM 11 core.

http://www.wondermedia.com.tw/en/pro...rm/soc/wm8750/

There needs to be a correction. The CPU in question is APC 8750. This is a cut-down version of the WM8750.

Originally Posted by grommet80

Pity WonderMedia say that the WM8750 will do 1080p but apc say only 720p? Seems under utilised.

Its to save costs...Strip or disable features to a minimum.

WM8750 => supports 1080p and has a number of features.
APC8750 => restricted to 720p and removed/disabled MPEG-TS decoding for DVB reception, camera input, infra-red support, etc.



To be honest, this should be VIA's target market. Not wasting their time and money on competing against Intel and AMD...They also need to improve on seeing what people want in their market. The decision to restrict to 720p doesn't add up in a world where 1080p content and panels are reasonably affordable. (I recently bagged a 24 inch 1080p Samsung LED screen for ~$250.)

It doesn't compete with Raspberry Pi, as that is aimed for education and at a lower price market.


It would be nice if a company were to produce a reasonably affordable DIY kit that has a dual or quad-core Cortex A9 and a decent graphics solution...That can run a standard ARM-build Linux distro with minimal issues. (I borrowed my cousin's PandaBoard ES...It's got stability and display issues with ARM version of Ubuntu.)

[akashra]

Great, but can it run a Java container at any usable speed? Being ARM, I'd guess not.

[kangathekat]

Originally Posted by CordlezToaster

hope it will run xbmc

This, anyone know?

[aXis]

How would you go installing regular Linux on this - I guess not too bad since that's what Android is based on.

A headless torrent box that only consumes 4-13W would be sweet. By comparison I havent seen much from the Sheevaplug locally.

[edzknows]

This, Mele A1000 is similar, but has better video output.
So many devices like this popping up lately.

I have one, and its pretty nice. Havent had too much time to play with it, but i got it to connect to my projector > vga.

[kangathekat]

Originally Posted by edzknows

This, Mele A1000 is similar, but has better video output.
So many devices like this popping up lately.

I have one, and its pretty nice. Havent had too much time to play with it, but i got it to connect to my projector > vga.

Yeah there's a thread bout this device on xbmc forums, unfortunately nno results from anyone yet if they have it running xbmc
Have u had a play with yours? Can u get Linux on it?

[edzknows]

Originally Posted by kangathekat

Yeah there's a thread bout this device on xbmc forums, unfortunately nno results from anyone yet if they have it running xbmc
Have u had a play with yours? Can u get Linux on it?

I have not tried to run linux on it, i was happy playing around with android.
If i was wanting to use it for movies (which i am) then i would need the hardware acceleration for video, which has not yet been implemented in the linux version.

Tried ICS on it though, and thats cool, but not all the apps on there have been properly ported.

[ernie]

Originally Posted by stmok

There needs to be a correction. The CPU in question is APC 8750. This is a cut-down version of the WM8750.



Its to save costs...Strip or disable features to a minimum.

WM8750 => supports 1080p and has a number of features.
APC8750 => restricted to 720p and removed/disabled MPEG-TS decoding for DVB reception, camera input, infra-red support, etc.

This is the chip


Click to view full size!


- Ernie.

[Asteroid]

Sounds like the pre-order sold out in about ten minutes last night. =/

[Wako]

Was more like 24hours, if not longer

I had ages to order, but I raged about the $45 shipping fee to 'Other' (Australia)

In hindsight I probably should have just order 2!

But alas I have now missed it.

[Asteroid]

I didn't notice the shipping fee. At that price it's not worth it.

[oztrailrider]

Has anyone revisted these boards?, they have had a hardware revision since release and the CPU is now a WM8950 Cortex A9 @ 800Mhz. Should perform a bit better than the old 8750 ARM11 core.