| Low-power netbooks run Linux |
Aug. 06, 2008
 A Germany-based retailer called One is shipping four branded, Linux-based netbooks that consume only 3.5 Watts apiece. The One A440, A110, A115, and A140 are all based on the Via C7-M Ultra Low Voltage processor (ULV), and come with integrated Via graphics chips.
(Click for larger view of the One A440)
The high-end One A440 (not to be confused with the sub-$200 Elonex One Linux netbook) appears to be a fairly standard issue device among a fast-growing crowd of Linux-based netbooks. It stands out, however, with its generous 10.2-inch, 1024x600-pixel display and low-power Via C7-M, which is said to consume only 3.5 Watts. It does not, however, appear to be based on the C7-based Via OpenBook reference design.
One A440
Clocked to 1.6GHz, the Via C7 is backed up with 1GB DDR2, plus a Via UniChrom Pro II IGP (integrated graphics processor) stocked with 64MB of RAM. The One A440 is further equipped with an 80GB SATA hard drive, an Ethernet port, three USB 2.0 ports, and other I/O. Despite the relatively large screen, the laptop measures only 7 x 9.8 x 1.2 (1.5 in back) inches and weighs 2.6 pounds. It comes preinstalled with OpenOffice and an undisclosed Linux distribution.
 
Two views of the One A440
(Click on either to enlarge)
The following are the specs for the One A440:- Processor -- Via C7-M-ULV 1.6 GHz; 400MHz FSB
- Memory -- 1024MB DDR2
- Graphics memory -- 64MB Via UniChrom Pro II
- Display -- 10.2-inch (1024x600)
- Storage -- 80GB SATA
- Networking -- 1 x 10/100 Ethernet
- USB -- 3 x USB 2.0
- Serial -- 1 x RJ45
- A/V -- Mic-in, headphone, VGA
- Dimension -- 7 x 9.8 x 1.2 (1.5 in back) inches (17.7 x 25 x 3/3.9 cm)
- Weight -- 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg)
- Software -- OpenOffice
- Operating system -- Linux
One A110, A115, and A140
The other three netbooks all share the same, slightly smaller 6.7 x 9.5 x 1.1-inch design. It appears similar to the Everex Cloudbook or Via's NanoBook Ultra Mobile Device (UMD) reference design, but is slightly smaller than either, and differs in other ways.
One A140
Like the Nanobook and the One A440, the A110, A115, and A140 are based on the C7-M-ULV, with similar 3.5-Watt power numbers touted for the processor. However, these models are all clocked at a lower 1GHz, and instead of the A440's Via UniChrom Pro II graphics, they make do with a Via VX800 single-chip chipset, featuring an integrated Chrome9 GPU. All three models sport 7-inch, 800 x 480 displays, and unlike the A440, offer WiFi.
The A110 and A115 are identical except that the latter has 4GB flash instead of the A110's 2GB. The A140 replaces the flash with a 60GB hard drive, and ups the RAM from 512MB to 1GB.
One A140 (side view)
(Click to enlarge) |
Here are the specs for the A110, A115, and A140, with differences noted:- Processor -- Via C7-M-ULV 779 1GHz
- Memory -- 512MB DDR2 except for A440 (1GB)
- Graphics memory -- 64MB for Via VX800
- Flash -- 4GB (A115); 2GB (A110), no flash (A140)
- Display -- 7-inch, 800x480
- Storage -- 60GB (A140 only)
- Networking -- 1 x 10/100 Ethernet
- USB -- 2 x USB 2.0
- WLAN -- 1 x WiFi
- Serial -- 1 x RJ45
- A/V -- Mic-in, headphone, VGA
- Modem -- 56Kbps dial-up modem
- Weight -- 2.1 lbs (950g)
- Dimensions -- 6.7 x 9.5 x 1.1 inches (17.1 x 24.3 x 2.8 cm)
- Software -- OpenOffice
- Operating system -- Linux
Availability
The One A440 is available now for 300 Euros, or about $460 US. The A110 is selling for 200 Euros or about $307. The A115 sells for 240 Euros (about $369). The A140 costs 260 (about $400).
More information (in German) may be found here. More information on the other One Linux notebooks should be here.
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