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ZONBU computers


mindwave
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http://www.zonbu.com/home/index.htm

 

It's being billed as the first GREEN pc, apparently it uses a VIA chipset/cpu, has NO internal storage other than 4gb or ram, and the OS (i think its gentoo),

it has 6 USB ports as well as RJ45 and mouse/keyb etc.

 

BUT since the via is a low power setup, NO FAN is required, making it ultra quiet. and it uses 25 or 75 watts? I cant rememebr

 

MY thought is that this would make a STELLER MCNL candidate.

 

Imagine, at THAT size with that little power, you could put that bad boy under the front seat of your car, plug into your portable dvd screen, plug in a portable 60GB had and BOOM an instant CAR pc!

 

now I just need to "find" an extra $250 to try one.

 

the deal is that its $99 plus $13-20 a month, for THEIR online storage solution.

 

or $250 to buy one outright.

 

if anyone knows of anywhere ELSE that these things (w/o the OS in ROM) can be bought PLEASE let me know.

 

and if you can think of other MCNL applications......

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Guest Jeroen

It looks like it's already running Linux. They made their own stripped down version. I think you could buy the device, and install it to the flash HD with a preformatted MCNLive stick. At least, I hope this works.

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It looks like it's already running Linux. They made their own stripped down version. I think you could buy the device, and install it to the flash HD with a preformatted MCNLive stick. At least, I hope this works.

right thats my hope to.

 

for YERS these "bookshelf" pc's have been around, butuntil recently no one has been willing to sell the components or a true barebones, for less than $600, now it looks like I can get the mb/cpu for $70, or a true barebones for $250.

 

Has anyone ever tried to install MCNL on a CF card?

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The site says it costs $99 with a $12.50 subscription, which is optional, but necessary to keep the unit up to date.

 

Why bother with MCNL? It comes with a custom Linux-based OS that seems pretty cool. I don't think it'll take too kindly to other OSes... but I could be wrong.

 

Looks like an awesome box and service, but I'd have to play with one before making up my mind.

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SoulSe: time to try MCNLive :D

 

The feature is: you can make in no time your own 'Linux OS' just the way _you_ like it. No matter if you are experienced or not.

 

A pre-installed Gentoo is not bad, I guess. But if you look at the zonbu website, you need to be a very experienced developer to even add a single application. The zonbu is an almost closed system - for an average or even an experienced user.

I also got the impression it is not made to easily replace its own pre-installed Linux.

 

I personally would always prefer an open, easy to customize system and open hardware without a suscription.

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Well obviously if you want to add your own apps it's not for you. They designed it for people who need a simple computing service - not power users who want to hack their boxes.

 

So if you don't need it, don't buy it - but that doesn't make it a bad solution.

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Well obviously if you want to add your own apps it's not for you. They designed it for people who need a simple computing service - not power users who want to hack their boxes.

 

So if you don't need it, don't buy it - but that doesn't make it a bad solution.

I've never said it was a bad solution.

 

i was just trying to see how FLEXIBLE their hardware could be?

 

they could send it w/o an OS for all I need

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  • 1 month later...

WELL

 

It looks like the ZONBU or any of the other C7 series might not be a perfect fit for MCNL.

 

I asked HIGHKING if he thought FREEVO, in its earlier configuration would run on a C7, and he stated that unaltered MCNL or MDV wouldnt run.

 

and being the cheap guy that I am, I bought a 800MHZ C3 based system and tried to boot a clean version of Toronto on it.

 

It loads the initial menu, but no choice thereafter will allow a complete login. they all reboot.

 

I havent taken the time to look for errors or anything since I know that some of the companies selling the C7 setups will also provide you with a preconfigured ISO for certain lnux distros.

 

and since this would be a single purpose project (500GB MP3 player anyone?) the actual distro doesnt really matter.

 

but sigh having a REALLY quiet pc ab was a good idea!

 

BTW someone asked about the noise factor, the C3 that I'm using (Via Epia) although last years model , is cpu fanless, the case that its in now, has a fan, but with the MB "pizza boxed" on top of it you can REALLY tell the difference on boot up.

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