The APC is a tiny computer system that sells for $49, and which should be capable of running Android, Linux, and other operating systems (but not Windows 7). It ships with Google Android 2.3.
First introduced last month, VIA Technologies is now taking pre-orders for the APC and plans to start shipping the little computer in July.
There’s one catch though: Shipping and handling fees nearly double the cost of the device.
The VIA APC features a VIA WonderMedia 875 800 MHz ARM11 processor, 512MB of memory, and 2GB of storage.
Like the $35 Raspberry Pi, the VIA APC includes all the basic hardware you need to power a Linux-based operating system. And like the Raspberry Pi, the APC is basically just a system board — there’s no case.
But the VIA APC offers built-in storage and a few more input and output options than the Raspberry Pi, which has just 2 USB ports, an HDMI port, and an Ethernet jack. The APC has:
- 4 USB 2.0 ports
- HDMI
- VGA
- mic input
- audio output
- 10/100 Etherent
- microSD card slot
The APC ships from Taiwan, and VIA is charging $38 for shipping to Europe, the US, or Canada. That drives up the total price to $87.
It’s a little cheaper if you have a shipping address in Asia, where you can pick up an APC for $79 with shipping included.
For a few bucks less you can grab an MK802 or similar USB stick-sized computer with an ARM Cortex-A8 or faster processor. But then you won’t get all the extra ports VIA includes on the APC.
via Hacker News
Too slow, not enough ram, too expensive. Fail. Put a faster processor on it, double the ram and get US and European distributors for the follow up product.
An MK802 Android 4.0 PC for $74 (shipped from Hong Kong) is a much better deal. Yes, shipping from Hong Kong was $4.71. Makes you wonder about the $38 charge, doesn’t it fellow campers? Note that you have much to add to make the APC functional, while the MK802 arrives ready-to-go, with Ice Cream Sandwich loaded…
I am waiting for next version of MK802 having good processor and more RAM
Well first of all, the APC comes bundled with a optimized Android version(plz chk APC’s demo @ YouTube; assuming that you havn’t done that yet.) which even if the locally made Chinese product aka mk802 does not have as such though it does comes with a usable android.
IMO APC is better..why? Simply because it has:
-A wider range of connectivity options/ports 4 usb,vga+hdmi,rj45 ethernet….
-Vga as well as hdmi support
-2gb flash storage in this case used by pre bundled android but is easily reflashable if u want ICS 😀 also in this way we can use SD card for our own use unlike in raspberrypi
-Audio out as well as Mic input!!! (Imagine using your box for Skype’ing without a Mic??!! :D)
Both the mk802 & raspberrypi lacks in some way or other..better for me to stick with APC 😀 (installing Linux won’t be a prob for me; I guess I can help the community as well :D)
Also, I am in India that’s Asia :p so..am off searching for a box now for my sweet lil mini ITX monster 😀
Regards,
Kanishk (aka echo9, sky770)
A Mele A1000 would be a much better deal. Cortex A8 with even more ports SATA dock etc..