May 16th, 2008
Meet a Puppy-Sized computer: the Norhtec MicroClient SR - Review
By Martin Regtien
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews
If you have a tight budget, love our planet, and need a computer, then put the Norhtec MicroClient Sr at the top of your shortlist!
This is the smallest computer I have seen until now, and can be used in many situations to replace the larger and heavier computer system. If you are starting with a clean slate, even better: definitely consider this tiny powerhouse! It’s a small computer in physical size, uses a lot less energy.
BUT — let its Puppy Size not deceive you: there’s a lot of power inside to address your (personal) computing and communication needs.
Martin van Zanten reviews the Norhtec MicroClient Sr here.
LZW says:
The review turned out to be little more then a story on how to install linux on a flash drive. I browsed over it but did not find much info on the hardware being reviewed… What I did find out from the review and the products home page:
- It’s an unconfigured device avaiable with or without a hard drive.
- There is a 1gb model available…
- The integrated video sounded kind of impressive for being built-in video.
- There is a 3rd USB connector on the back.
- The home page lists an “optical hdd” as one of the hard drive options but no explanation for the CD in the picture. (obviously will not fit inside)
- They have another system available with a mini-slot and various other mini products.
- You cannot have both a serial COM connector and a hard drive.
The device reminds me a lot of other products available (like Mikrotik) that are designed to build your own router and run an OS on a flash drive called RouterOS. Yet their aint all of the network ports you would want for a router.
What you get here is a pretty box you can use on your desk (even has video, the COM port would be needed for terminal) and those router kit things come in an ugly plastic box to be mounted out of site somewhere.
Since it does have an antenna connector and an ethernet connector, it should be possible to make it into a single port wireless router… With the optional hard drive and video capabilities, it would also be a good embedded internet client.
Use it if you need a small, quiet, always on computer and don’t want the power bill of running a full desk top tower always!
May 18th, 2008 at 3:24 am