VIA Technologies, Inc. has just announced two new incarnations (Paper and Rock) of the APC, an ARM-based computer that runs a customized Android 4.0 operating system. The first incarnation of the APC was just a basic motherboard targeted mainly at developers, but the APC Paper, the more expensive of the two, brings something slightly different to the table.
Both share just about the same specs. The main difference is that APC Paper does not have a VGA port. They pack more computing power and connectivity than the first APC, but Paper is enclosed in a case made from recycled cardboard paper, hence the name. And it kinda looks like a textbook.
Yep, that “book” closest to the plant is an APC Paper.
The complete specs for APC Paper are:
- VIA WonderMedia ARM Cortex-A9 gunning at 800Mhz
- Android 4.0 optimized for mouse and keyboard input
- 4GB NAND Flash and 512 DDR3 SDRAM
- Hardware accelerated 2D/3D graphics and video
- HMDI, USB 2.0 (x2), microUSB (OTG) and microSD slot
- 10/100 Ethernet
- Audio out / Mic in combo
- 20-pin ARM-JTAG header
- Extra GPIO, SPI and I2C busses on a header
The APC Paper
The APC Rock does not ship in a case, but as noted above, it comes with a VGA port, something the Paper does not have.
The Rock.
The APC Rock is available immediately at a price of US$79 USD, but the Paper will start shipping in March for US$99 USD. The Rock is cheaper, but I think I’m going to wait for Paper. At the rate that VIA Technologies is moving with the APC, the next version will likely ship with SATA ports. More information on both systems at http://apc.io/.
the apc is android only, no linux support exists.
AGAIN, someone makes a large enough board to hold one, but they decide to use a microSD slot rather than a FAR more useful, full-sized SD/MMC slot. Why don’t we all just use f***ing microdots???
One more question. Why they choose this strange form factor of motherboard? Why not ITX board size? This kind of computer could be nice paired with ITX case M350 from mini-box. I hope there are are enclosures for this “ARM” motherboards too…
There’s a case for it. See http://www.linuxbsdos.com/2012/12/18/you-can-now-buy-a-custom-apc-case/
Just 512MB of RAM? Why?? 🙁 Most tablets with Andorid 4 have 1GB of RAM…
Probably should have removed the Richard Dawkins book. It’s like having The Communist Manifesto in your prime display. Dawkins is a nut job of fraternity-science(religious and political science) and Marxism, not elementary-science.
Do not agree. Dawkins IS SCIENCE.
Would you rather see Ayn Rand’s bestseller in its place?
Yes, censor anything you disagree with.
“Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.”
― Benjamin Franklin
What delicious irony. Dawkins main aim in life seems to be to bring in cencorship – he wants British schools to be allowed to only teach what he believes in. He says is wrong that anyone should be able to know about or believe anything else.
And he calls himself a scientist.
Yeah, just like the pilot-schools keep censoring those who want to include broomstick-levitation in the curriculum.
Damn elitist fascist aerodynamics-cultists!