Small computing: A second machine on less than 10 watts.
Like most nerds, I like to have a second computer to experiment with, especially one that runs linux. And like almost everyone, I need a daily backup solution for my work files. Until now, I’ve been using a nondescript 7-year-old beige computer to do both. It sits in my desk’s tower cabinet (where my main computer would melt due to inadequate ventilation), and it’s set to automatically back up the main computer every 24 hours.
Problem is, it’s loud, hot, and draws lots of power. Which means it gets turned off a lot. Which sort of defeats the purpose of having a computer to do backups and futz with. So I need a computer that I can leave on 24-7, that doesn’t have a fan, and that can run linux. After the jump, two enticing options…
The Excito Bubba never uses more than 10 watts. It’s a bit slow (200mhz), but cute and foreign. Like the secretary in the Producers. There’s a full review here, and you can buy it here. It’s a bit pricey, the drive is internal, and it’s an import for those of us in North America, which adds some cost to the whole thing.
The Linksys NSLU2 — AKA Slug — has a posse. Since it’s Linux-based, Linksys had to release the sourcecode for its firmware, and a development community has rallied around this inexpensive component, leading to all sorts of cool side-projects. It’s also faster by 66 mhz, and uses roughly the same wattage. The problem is, it doesn’t actually hold a drive — you have to stick an external hard drive by this thing’s side, meaning two wall-warts and two devices sitting somewhere in your office.* Still, it’s small, hackable, and readily available around the world. Buy it here.
When I’m ready to switch, I’ll probably go with the Slug. Yes, there’s one more power adapter and one more box, but the geekiness level is slightly higher, there’s more support, and the price is right. Either way, the apartment will be one beige box lighter.
*You can actually attach a usb thumb drive instead of a hard drive, if you want to eliminate the second wall-wart. But they’re pretty limited in storage space.
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:31 pm
What about snagging an older laptop? Small, low wattage and you should be able to get a Pentium 3-class machine for like $200-300. I’d think that would do the trick nicely for a fileserver, web development sandbox, maybe even a video recorder with a WinTV PVR USB (although you might not be able to get composite video out.)
Alternatively, a used XBOX, a bigger hard disk and the XBOX linux distro would work nicely.
March 25th, 2007 at 11:10 am
Thanks for the link! Have you seen my Mini Fileserver we’re building aswell? You can run Linux on it which could be an option aswell.