miPC Infinity: MiniPC or MaxiPDA?
The recent miniPCs usually feature Intel Celeron M and Intel Atom processors, though Acer, for example, selected a more powerful AMD platform for its desktop Aspire X1200. Still, the choice goes beyond just Intel and AMD. As you know, VIA and NVIDIA offered their VIA Nano and NVIDIA Tegra as well.
Nevertheless, to develop its miPC Infinity announced as far back as February, Canadian Clearview Technology chose the 600MHz Alchemy Au1250 processor from Raza Microelectronics (RMI) that was introduced last January. If you remember, the Alchemy architecture was developed by AMD, from which Raza Microelectronics obtained the related development groundwork in 2006.
According to Clearview, miPC Infinity, an Internet-enabled mobile PC, is the smallest device in its class. Weighing 310g and sized 145x83x30 mm, it resembles a PDA. But its specifications get it closer to a subnotebook that combines features of a desktop, a PDA, and a media player that can record video and audio and capture images.
The device has Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g), Bluetooth, USB 2.0, RS-232 and other interfaces. This allows connecting a GPS unit, keyboard, mouse (the last image), headphones, external display and other peripherals. The PC features the widescreen (16:9) 4.3-inch touchscreen with 480x272 resolution (WQVGA) and stereo speakers. Other features include 1.8-inch 30GB hard drive, 128MB DDR2 and 32MB NOR flash.
miPC Infinity works under Windows CE 5.0. According to the company, low power consumption of CPU and other components provide up to 12 hours of audio playback or 6 hours of video playback.
The basic miPC Infinity costs 599 USD, the additional GPS unit increases the price to 749 USD. The device is expected in the market in H2'2008.
Sources: RMI, Clearview Technology
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