Parisian startup Linutop has started shipping a compact, Linux-based computing appliance said to draw less than six Watts. Linutop's “Linutop” can serve as a standalone PC or Linux terminal, and targets web surfing kiosks in libraries, schools, offices, hotels, hospitals, Internet cafes, and family rooms.

Now that's a Pocket PC (Click to enlarge)

Linutop claims that its Linutop PC draws “less than 6 Watts” — less energy than many computing appliances such as printers and scanners dissipate in standby mode. The device measures 3.7 x 1.1 x 5.9 inches (9.3 x 2.7 x 15 cm), and weighs 9.9 ounces (280 grams). Its compact wall-wart-style power supply incorporates a European-style plug.

Linutop is based on a 433MHz AMD Geode LX [email protected]8W processor. It has 256MB of RAM, and comes standard with a 1GB USB flash key as its main storage device. The lack of moving parts contributes to a long life cycle that generates less waste than less robust designs, the company said.

At 6 Watts, the Linutop is no hotplate
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The Linutop's I/O includes four USB 2.0 ports and audio, along with a VGA port and 10/100 Ethernet, with USB WiFi optional.

Linutop desktop
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On the software side, the Linutop PC is based on Xubuntu, a version of Ubuntu that eschews complicated, slow-moving window environments like KDE and Gnome in favor of Xfce. Interestingly, Xfce was also selected by Zonbu for its low-power, Via C7-based Zonbox, announced earlier this month along with a “carbon offset” program.

Other pre-installed Linutop applications include Firefox, AbiWord, Evince, Gaim, Totem, XDMCP (for interoperability with the Linux Terminal Server Project), and Etherboot. The environment is simple and easy, and users can surf the web within minutes of receiving their device, the company said.

Availability

The Linutop is available now, for European power outlets, in two configurations. A single Linutop with a 1GB USB stick is priced at 280 Euros (approx. $380). A pack of eight Linutops, each with a 1GB USB stick, is priced at 2,100 Euros (approx. $2,850).

More details about the Linutop are available in our earlier coverage, here.

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