It’s been almost a year since Compulab introduced the Fit-PC3, a desktop computer that’s small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, but which features HD graphics capabilities. Now it’s finally available for purchase.
The Fit-PC3 includes an AMD embedded processor with Radeon HD graphics.
The little computer has space for 2 sticks of DDR3 memory, a hard drive, and wireless modules. It has 2 USB 3.0 ports, 2 USB 2.0 ports, HDMI, DisplayPort, S/PDIF 7.1 channel audio, and Gigabit Ethernet as well as 2 eSATA ports and an RS232 serial port.
Compulab is offering a number of configurations with prices ranging from $328 to $698.
For instance, you can pick up a barebones model with 2GB of RAM, an AMD G-T44R 1.2 GHz single core, 9W processor and Radeon HD 6250 graphics for $345. That model has no hard drive, no WiFi, and no operating system.
For $698 you can get a top of the line model with a 1.65 GHz AMD G-T56N dual core 18W processor and Radeon HD 6320 graphics. That model also has 4GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, 802.11b/g/n WiFi and runs Windows 7 Professional.
In case you want to use your computer as a desktop (i.e. connected to a large display) and you want a silent low-power device (low enough that you might leave it on 24/7), it’s actually a pretty good choice. Not cheap, admittedly, but netbooks/laptops aren’t great when used as desktops (e.g. they overheat when closed, and/or tend to insist on using the internal display in various circumstances) and most nettops are not fanless and consume about twice as much power as a fit-pc when idle.
CompuLab doesn’t make “general purpose” computers – these are embedded, industrial machines. Design and price to match. Sealed case, no moving parts (unless you pick a spinning HDD) and passive cooling – features you pay for. Slap an SSD in this thing and you have a device that makes no noise. Bury it in a shop under a desk and forget about it, until it no longer provides enough power for your needs. I’m tempted to pick up a Pro barebones once they’re no longer in their first-run model…I can think of a few folks who will be interested in something like this. Heck, I’m tempted to try to mount it in my vehicle for fun…just need an automotive PSU, and touch-input screen…
I have to agree with Mike; I don’t see this device taking off at all. $657 got me a Dell Vostro 3550 laptop with a Core i5, 4GB RAM, a 250GB HDD, a DVDRW, 2xUSB 2.0 ports + 2xUSB 3.0 (total 4 ports), 802.11n, gigabit ethernet, HDMI, eSATA, memory card reader, and expresscard slot… plus room for another memory chip, and a 15.6inch screen, a fingerprint scanner that I use to log onto pretty much every web site, and DUN DUN DUUUN! An ATI Radeon HD 6630M video card. In all honesty, what’s the real point of having such a small ‘desktop’ computer? It’s not really power enough to run Windows 7 efficiently, so business use is out of the question. The portability is pointless since if you’re going somewhere, you will have to lug a monitor with you. Using it for a media center is also kind of silly since you can do that with an SFF PC for the same price, or even a laptop.
All in all, I’d say the only place where this will find a market could be with a Linux installation that runs an RDP client to a terminal server… although for this price I doubt we’ll be seeing that, either.
I admit the idea is really slick. I just think that it has far passed the time that this would be a hit. 5 years ago people would be all over this for media center/netflix streaming. Now? I doubt anyone will buy it.
Replace the disk with a SSD, and see where this gets you pricewise.
And it _does_ run W7 efficiently, and is extremely useful for businesses since there people don’t watch HD movies all day long – but who would want to use that dinosaur on such slick HW?
Agree with Mike W.
The price is simply too high, regardless of size or form factor.
Nice to see them offering an alternative OS with a Linux Mint option, though Linux + AMD/ATI is seldom a good mixture in my experience, especially with regards to ATI/AMD’s prorietary graphics drivers and Xorg.
Ouch! That bare bones price is at least $150 too much. You can buy a faster laptop with faster graphics, a hard drive, HDMI output, wifi and an OS for the $350, and you get a keyboard, screen, a battery, and portability thrown in.
I guess the price is because of the range of interfaces they provide, but I hope they’re looking to be a niche product, because there aren’t too many who will spend that much money for a few extra hardware connectors.