[pulseaudio-discuss] Cheap little pulse server

[Jim Carter]

On Fri, 30 Nov 2007, Colin Guthrie wrote:

> Has anyone priced up how cheap they could make a pulse server?
> 
> * Small mobo with not very powerful CPU.
> * Sound output (obviously)
> * Small amount of ram
> * Ethernet (wired and/or wireless)
> * Onboard flash or PXE capable boot
> 
> It's a Friday and I'm struggling to do any real work..... ;)

I've been looking at the Koolu Thin Client ( http://koolu.com ): $200 
Canadian + $39 shipping; add $100 for a 80 Gb laptop disc; AMD Geode (i386 
family, with FPU) at 500 MHz, 512Mb RAM, AC97 sound (mic/headphone), one 
802.3 ethernet (10/100 MHz), four USB-2.0, power under 10W (from wall wart, 
no fan), size 14 x 14.5 x 3.5 cm, can boot from internal disc (if present), 
USB flash memory, or net (PXE).  

Also looking at http://www.fic.com.tw/product/minipc.aspx for the First 
International Computer "Mini PC Ion A603" (FIC is believed to sell under 
the Everex brand): this appears identical to the Koolu, and from comments 
on Koolu's website I don't know whether Koolu developed the mobo and 
package and then sold the product line to FIC, or whether Koolu is now 
reselling the Everex Ion, or both.  For some reason, Koolu is currently 
behind on shipments :-(

Also an apparently identical product is resold by NorthTec 
( http://www.norhtec.com/ ) which calls it the "New MicroClient"; for $250 
USD you get 256 Mb RAM and a 40 Gb disc.  NorthTec has other interesting 
boxes.

You mentioned a "not very powerful CPU".  A few years ago a 500 MHz CPU 
would have been top of the line.  As long as I don't do 3D graphics or 
compositing, and don't run a modern Desktop Environment that's almost as 
bloated as Windows, 500 MHz is going to be total overkill for my home 
server.

James F. Carter          Voice 310 825 2897    FAX 310 206 6673
UCLA-Mathnet;  6115 MSA; 405 Hilgard Ave.; Los Angeles, CA, USA 90095-1555
Email: jimc at math.ucla.edu  http://www.math.ucla.edu/~jimc (q.v. for PGP key)