While the Atom processor does not have a good reputation here at PC Perspective as far as its ability to provide enough power for most peoples usage, Phoronix might have a different take on a tiny Atom powered computer. After all, Linux has a reputation of needing less system resources than a Windows box, so perhaps the benefits of a tiny 190 x 135 x 25 mm system outweigh any possible performance issues on a customized Ubuntu installation, called ALUSA 12.04 OS. You may not be surprised to find out that while the system did boot properly out of the box and all the hardware was properly supported, the lack of power especially the maximum resolution limit of 1366×768 was enough to turn Phoronix off of this device. There is a newer model they hope to test in the future.
"For the past several weeks I have been testing out the ALUSA Atom Desktop with Linux. As implied by the name it's an Intel Atom powered desktop/nettop computer, but this Atom system comes out of Portugal from a small Linux-focused start-up company."
Here are some more Systems articles from around the web:
- Giada i53 Mini PC @ Tweaktown
- Lenovo IdeaCentre A720 review: finally a good touch-screen PC @ Hardware.info
- PC Specialist Vanquish 670XM Gaming System @ Kitguru
- Asus Z9 PE-D8 WS / Dual Xeon E5 2687W / 64GB Kingston DDR3 @ Kitguru
- Intel's Haswell Architecture Analyzed: Building a New PC and a New Intel @ AnandTech
- Lenovo ThinkCentre M92 USFF review: Professional mini-system @ hardware.info
- Lenovo IdeaCentre A7 All-in-One Review: Starting to Get The Balance Right @ AnandTech
- Toshiba LX835-D3230 Review @ TechReviewSource
- Dell OptiPlex 9010 All-in-One Review: Dell's All-in-One Goes Enterprise @ AnandTech
I write this on an Atom
I write this on an Atom N450.
Xubuntu on a refurb EeePC 1005PE.
An SSD really makes it zip along, (a pain to fit though, but well worth the effort).
Ebay cheapo SSD, about 3yrs old now, excellent bargain!
If you live mostly in the browser, Atom, Xubuntu and an SSD are just fine.
Windows8 preview refuses to do “Metro” due to netbook screen.
However “Classic Shell” add-on, (or maybe it’s a take-off), performs better than Win7.
So if you want an Atom, get an SSD, 30GB fine for LInux.
Regards
gvnmcknz
An atom is good for a NAS
An atom is good for a NAS that is about it. Otherwise it is never worth the hassle.