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<img src="http://parcom.pro-networks.org/PROneT-News/linux.gif" align="right" alt="The Linux Computer Not Bigger Than a Pack of Gum">The Linux Computer Not Bigger Than a Pack of Gum
By Alex Vochin
October 24, 2006, 07:17 GMT

Miniaturization has become a vital trend in technology during the past few years, as it allowed the development of devices that occupy less and less space, despite the fact that they are fully capable of fulfilling the tasks they've been originally created for. And this trend is quite visible in the area of portable computing systems, although the device you're about to see - namely the netstix 400xm-cf computer from Gumstix - does take things to the limit. Why?

Well, because it's a fully functional Linux running computer not bigger than a pack of gum. And I'm not exaggerating here at all. The netstix 400xm-cf measures just 103 x 35 x 25mm, runs at 400MHz, and is powered by an Intel XScale PXA255 processor and a proprietary gumstix connex motherboard. Moreover, this minute system includes 64MB of RAM and 16MB of Flash memory, as well as a Type II Compact Flash card slot and a 10/100baseT Ethernet port for networking, and gets its electric power from an external 4V wall adapter.

As mentioned before (and as the manufacturers inform us), the device is capable of running the latest Linux 2.6 and more, and it could prove to be a very interesting solution, especially for network administrators who want to test the integrity and functionality of their network, as well as for software companies, which could use netstix computers as low cost, reliable Linux platforms for implementing leading and proven software solutions. The netstix 400xm-cf is already available on the market, for $206.50 USD each, but only for big orders (1,000 units or more).

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