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CompuLab introduces its smallest, most energy efficient mini-PC to date

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11:58 January 24, 2011

CompuLab has announced a new miniature computer powered by NVIDIA's Tegra 2 processing pla...

CompuLab has announced a new miniature computer powered by NVIDIA's Tegra 2 processing platform that's said to be its smallest, most energy efficient model to date

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Israel's CompuLab, makers of the fit-PC range of energy efficient mini-PCs, has announced a new miniature computer powered by NVIDIA's Tegra 2 processing platform. The Trim-Slice computer is said to offer the rich multimedia capabilities and user experience of a full-size PC at only a fraction of the power draw. It benefits from a fanless design, Wireless-N connectivity, solid state memory and expansion via both a full size and a micro SD card slots.

The 5.1 x 3.7 x 0.6-inch (130 x 95 x 15mm) Trim-Slice is the company's smallest and most energy efficient model to date, having an average operational draw of just 3W. Within the rugged all-metal, nickel-plated housing beats the Tegra 2 heart, where a 1GHz Dual Core ARM Cortex A9 processor and an ultra low power, high definition GeForce graphics unit sit together on the same chip. Supporting players include 1GB DDR2 memory and 64GB of solid state storage, with expansion possible via the duo of media card slots.

Physical connectivity comes in the form of a foursome of USB 2.0 ports, a USB device port and an RS232 Serial port, as well as HDMI-out and dual head DVI. Getting online is made possible with Gigabit Ethernet and 802.11n wireless connectivity. In addition to line-in and stereo line-out jacks, the Trim-Slice also has 5.1 channel digital audio output capabilities courtesy of S/PDIF out.

CompuLab sees its high performance, low-power Trim-Slice unit being used to power infotainment systems, digital signage and IPTV, or as a gaming device or desktop PC replacement. There's also mention of the company offering more than one operating system working "out-of-the-box," but what will actually be running the show hasn't yet been announced.

Availability is expected to be some time in April, with final pricing yet to be decided. CompuLab's Irad Stavi says that it's likely to be "higher than a streamer, but lower than a tablet."

Trim-Slice will be available in several configurations, and will also be offered to OEMs for possible re-branding.

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User Comments (9)
 

Nice, but, other than possibly running Windows 7, what's the advantage of this over the latest smartphones, netbooks, and tablets that are also Tegra 2 based?

comment kalqlate - January 24, 2011 @ 04:06 pm PST

Awesome!

Now for a Mythbuntu load and XBMC front-end :)

I look forward to when I can buy this off the shelf.

Great tech, great concept, great engineering. Keep up the good work!

comment Australian - January 24, 2011 @ 06:28 pm PST

I live in Bolivia... we use solar energy... It would be great for the students at my school. That along with a LED backlit monitor that uses 15w would be awesome.

comment Gabriel Jones - January 25, 2011 @ 09:20 am PST

Where's the video out port?

comment Facebook User - January 25, 2011 @ 05:23 pm PST

HDMI

comment Daryl Sonnier - January 25, 2011 @ 07:57 pm PST

well i use my laptop for entertainment. THis tiny laptop will have a tiny screen (bad for movies,reading stuff,watever),games - unthinkable because of the low power supply and tiny screen. if you want something like this that cant do what a large laptop could, then you might as well get an ipod or a ipad. Ipad screen would probably be around the same size and would cost A LOT less

comment Kevin Lee - January 25, 2011 @ 10:14 pm PST

kalqlate and Kevin: It's the size of a laptop or smartphone, but it doesn't have a tiny, built-in screen. What's the advantage? WIDE SCREEN HI DEF GRAPHICS, on any monster-sized monitor you want.

If they release it with Ubuntu or some other user-friendly Linux, I'm so there.

comment Facebook User - January 26, 2011 @ 07:54 am PST

This kind of part will get so cheap that it will be a standard feature of TVs - you'll get a computer thrown in as part of the deal. They're half way there already. I can plug my asus netbook into my 1080 panel already and while not a fire ball, it runs fine for desktop use.

comment John Hogan - February 28, 2011 @ 04:40 pm PST

@Facebook User - You did not state any advantage of this over the recent crop of Tegra 2-based smartphones; nearly all of them come with HDMI OUT. The question then is, why buy two devices when the more capable one (the smartphone) can do all of the video wizardry you speak of in an as small or smaller package?

comment kalqlate - March 15, 2011 @ 02:45 pm PDT
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