machine with linux on flash card

[ddunfee..]

NY Times
   May 29, 2003

   Silent and Ever So Small, a Computer for Simple Tasks

      By IAN AUSTEN


      In the fiercely competitive computer world, manufacturers offer many
      claims to distinguish their products. Andrei Bulucea, a project
      manager at Ituner Networks, has a particularly striking boast for the
      Mini-Box M100: "It's completely silent. If you need to sleep with a
      computer, this is what you want."

      While it is not intended to be a portable computer in the conventional
      sense, the Mini-Box is as small as its name suggests, measuring
      roughly 8 by 8 by 1 inches. The computer (available for $496 at
      www.mini-box.com) is supplied with a Linux operating system stored on
      a Compact Flash memory card. But it can run Windows if a laptop hard
      disk is slipped into a built-in slot.

      A tiny liquid-crystal display panel and 14 keys allow users to control
      the computer, but there are standard outlets for a full-size keyboard,
      a monitor and other peripherals.

      Mr. Bulucea suggested that people could use the Mini-Box for
      specialized "start and stop" tasks like switching home security on and
      off. Because the tiny computer requires only a 12-volt power supply,
      it could be easily integrated into a car, he added.

      "It's for consumers who are fed up with big, clumsy computers," he
      said.
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