Amiga.org

Operating System Specific Discussions => AROS Research Operating System => Topic started by: dammy on February 26, 2011, 02:47:27 PM

Title: EFIKA-MX New Pricing In Effect
Post by: dammy on February 26, 2011, 02:47:27 PM
Guess if you wanted to try AROS hosted on ARM Linux, it just got cheaper to do so: https://www.genesi-usa.com/store/  $129 for the Smarttop and $199 for the Smartbook.
Title: Re: EFIKA-MX New Pricing In Effect
Post by: commodorejohn on February 26, 2011, 02:51:46 PM
Hmm. Anybody know what the general quality of these things is like? I've been wanting to try an ARM-based system for a while, but the only general-purpose computer I'd seen before now was that cheapo "$100 netbook" the one company was pushing a while back. $130 is plenty affordable, I just don't want to throw it away if these are as cheap and breakable as those were...
Title: Re: EFIKA-MX New Pricing In Effect
Post by: Crom00 on February 26, 2011, 03:45:22 PM
Gotta hand it to Genesi, the website is really nice and easy to read and it looks pro. Sometimes I think Morphos should have become the offical Amiga next Gen os.
Title: Re: EFIKA-MX New Pricing In Effect
Post by: save2600 on February 26, 2011, 03:53:16 PM
"Important: This product is currently being delivered with system software that may not yet provide the full performance, stability and functionality that most consumers might expect. The currently included software is specifically targetted at developers and experienced users.

Software updates will be made available as soon as they are ready."

...yep, sounds like it comes preloaded with a modern Amiga-like OS alright  :laughing:

Seriously, this verbiage is only mentioned on the Netbook of theirs. The desktop thing clearly states it comes with a Linux distro.
Title: Re: EFIKA-MX New Pricing In Effect
Post by: AmigaEd on February 26, 2011, 05:34:00 PM
Quote from: save2600;618100
"Important: This product is currently being delivered with system software that may not yet provide the full performance, stability and functionality that most consumers might expect. The currently included software is specifically targetted at developers and experienced users.
 
Software updates will be made available as soon as they are ready."
 
...yep, sounds like it comes preloaded with a modern Amiga-like OS alright :laughing:
 
Seriously, this verbiage is only mentioned on the Netbook of theirs. The desktop thing clearly states it comes with a Linux distro.

Their honesty is like taking a breath of fresh mountain air in the year 10,000 BC.
Title: Re: EFIKA-MX New Pricing In Effect
Post by: AmigaEd on February 26, 2011, 06:11:26 PM
Not trying to be a smartass here, but is there anyone who is actually using MorphOS on either the SmartTop or SmartBook?
 
I know different people are using Pegasos, efika 5200 and Macs, but I've never seen anyone comment about using one of these newer offerings.
 
Regards,
AmigaEd
Title: Re: EFIKA-MX New Pricing In Effect
Post by: dammy on February 26, 2011, 06:16:26 PM
Quote from: AmigaEd;618110
Not trying to be a smartass here, but is there anyone who is actually using MorphOS on either the SmartTop or SmartBook?
 
I know different people are using Pegasos, efika 5200 and Macs, but I've never seen anyone comment about using one of these newer offerings.
 
Regards,
AmigaEd


I doubt it since EFIKA-MX is ARM based and not PPC based.
Title: Re: EFIKA-MX New Pricing In Effect
Post by: AmigaEd on February 26, 2011, 06:36:39 PM
Quote from: dammy;618112
I doubt it since EFIKA-MX is ARM based and not PPC based.

Doh! You know, even after reading all of the details on the Genesi page, including the Freescale logos, etc. that just didn't register with me.
 
I guess I was just thinking of how cool it might be to run MorphOS on the SmartBook. I guess that I now realize why AROS was mentioned in the inital post.
 
... well I'm off to sit in the corner and pout for a while!:(
Title: Re: EFIKA-MX New Pricing In Effect
Post by: Hattig on February 26, 2011, 07:48:25 PM
Does that mean the next revision with a dual-core A9 is coming out soon, and they're clearing stock? :-)

Nice website, actual products ... should have gone with Genesi all those years ago shouldn't we? :-S
Title: Re: EFIKA-MX New Pricing In Effect
Post by: countzero on February 26, 2011, 08:32:38 PM
Cortex a8 imx 515 ? 512 mb ? That's exactly the same configuration as my cheapo a-pad android tablet !

http://www.androidpads.com/2010/10/26/utopia-apad-imx515-a-well-performing-8-inch-android-tablet-for-230-aka-hiapad-imx515/

I would like more juice from something I would put on my desk ...
Title: Re: EFIKA-MX New Pricing In Effect
Post by: dammy on February 26, 2011, 09:07:37 PM
Quote from: Hattig;618120
Does that mean the next revision with a dual-core A9 is coming out soon, and they're clearing stock? :-)

Nice website, actual products ... should have gone with Genesi all those years ago shouldn't we? :-S


Next generation will be the i.mx.53 series.  They are targeting ~$50 OEM cost for the cpu/mobo so that may tempt C=USA into the ARM device market.
Title: Re: EFIKA-MX New Pricing In Effect
Post by: Crom00 on February 26, 2011, 09:21:00 PM
...yep, sounds like it comes preloaded with a modern Amiga-like OS alright  :laughing:


I have been to the site before, yes I know that's not a PPC laptop or small for factor netowork PPC. They haven't made a Morphos compatible box in a while but the website presentation and Morphos itself is nice.
Title: Re: EFIKA-MX New Pricing In Effect
Post by: Lando on February 26, 2011, 09:59:58 PM
Quote from: Hattig;618120
Does that mean the next revision with a dual-core A9 is coming out soon, and they're clearing stock? :-)

Nice website, actual products ... should have gone with Genesi all those years ago shouldn't we? :-S


Many of us did :)

Holding that Pegasos in my hands and being able to retire my A4k after ten or more years of waiting for a new Amiga was incredible.
Title: Re: EFIKA-MX New Pricing In Effect
Post by: Hattig on February 26, 2011, 10:21:26 PM
Quote from: dammy;618129
Next generation will be the i.mx.53 series.  They are targeting ~$50 OEM cost for the cpu/mobo so that may tempt C=USA into the ARM device market.


That's pretty good, although it's a shame it's still a Cortex A8, the rest of the features look good. If they can hit the same $199 price for the SmartBook, and $99 for the nettop, that would be great.
Title: Re: EFIKA-MX New Pricing In Effect
Post by: Damiga on February 26, 2011, 10:40:35 PM
Wow!, the smarttop looks nice!
 
What OS can this thing run? Linux for sure, AROS and morph also?
Title: Re: EFIKA-MX New Pricing In Effect
Post by: TheBilgeRat on February 26, 2011, 10:41:56 PM
Quote from: dammy;618129
Next generation will be the i.mx.53 series.  They are targeting ~$50 OEM cost for the cpu/mobo so that may tempt C=USA into the ARM device market.

Where is the market for CUSA ARM devices?  a C64 tablet?  Amigaphone?  If that company is going to succeed, they better sell the crap out of the only product that has any value to it, that being their C64 "Retro" machine.  Jumping into the ARM market would be no end of retarded for them.
Title: Re: EFIKA-MX New Pricing In Effect
Post by: Hattig on February 26, 2011, 10:43:18 PM
Quote from: Damiga;618145
Wow!, the smarttop looks nice!
 
What OS can this thing run? Linux for sure, AROS and morph also?


http://bbrv.blogspot.com/2011/02/95-smarttop.html

Linux
Android
Title: Re: EFIKA-MX New Pricing In Effect
Post by: Bodie_CI5 on February 27, 2011, 09:40:03 AM
Quote from: Hattig;618143
That's pretty good, although it's a shame it's still a Cortex A8, the rest of the features look good. If they can hit the same $199 price for the SmartBook, and $99 for the nettop, that would be great.


Coupled with (from the FAQ):

Quote
Note that the Efika MX Smartbook does not include wired networking capability, although software support for USB Ethernet dongles is available. It also does not include an external display connector.

[...]

Q: 16GB of disk is not very much. Can I upgrade the disk?
A: No. The SSD is soldered to the motherboard to reduce costs.


(http://www.genesi-usa.com/support/smartbook/faq)

Awwwwww :(

It's still mighty tempting to buy one, though.
Title: Re: EFIKA-MX New Pricing In Effect
Post by: Andre.Siegel on February 27, 2011, 10:57:14 AM
@ Bodie CI5

Actually, the Efika MX Smartbook includes an internal micro-SD slot that can be accessed by unplugging the battery. This allows to increase the storage capacity of the device with ease.

Furthermore, the device also features an external SD card slot. (Unlike with some other devices, inserted SD cards do not stick out of the device.)
Title: Re: EFIKA-MX New Pricing In Effect
Post by: dammy on February 27, 2011, 12:08:52 PM
Quote from: TheBilgeRat;618146
Where is the market for CUSA ARM devices?  a C64 tablet?  Amigaphone?  If that company is going to succeed, they better sell the crap out of the only product that has any value to it, that being their C64 "Retro" machine.  Jumping into the ARM market would be no end of retarded for them.


I agree with you that it would not make sense for C64 series.  Depending on how well WB6 turns out, could be the key for mobile and AIO ARM devices.  Primary thing is to recognize early on that ARM is a viable arch for low end machines (AIO or mobile) and the OS should have full support (which would include touch) for the UI design.  That way apps/games developers can make their decisions on what they will support from concept onwards.
Title: Re: EFIKA-MX New Pricing In Effect
Post by: Bodie_CI5 on February 28, 2011, 09:27:07 AM
Quote from: Andre.Siegel;618213
@ Bodie CI5

Actually, the Efika MX Smartbook includes an internal micro-SD slot that can be accessed by unplugging the battery. This allows to increase the storage capacity of the device with ease.

Furthermore, the device also features an external SD card slot. (Unlike with some other devices, inserted SD cards do not stick out of the device.)

Hello Andreas, and thanks for the reply!

I see. Hmm. Spewing that you can't connect the little critter to a monitor - but I guess that in some way this could kind of defeat the small footprint purpose of the unit.

On anther note, I went to the BBRV blog last night, but could not see anything re a release date for the new monitor display (Pixel Qi). Have you heard anything on the grapevine as to when this might be coming out?

(I refer to this blog entry: http://bbrv.blogspot.com/2010/11/pixel-qi-and-efika-mx.html)

Cheers :)

Nick

--Edit--

Oh, forgot to also ask, with regards to this: (from the FAQ) "Note that the Efika MX Smartbook does not include wired networking capability, although software support for USB Ethernet dongles is available."

What would this actually entail were I to try to connect my unit (were I to get one) to my ADSL Lan network thing, here at home? Would I see a drop in performance in my internet speeds? (Sorry, I'm not the most technical of people here :) )
Title: Re: EFIKA-MX New Pricing In Effect
Post by: Hattig on February 28, 2011, 10:13:04 AM
Quote from: Bodie_CI5;618377

What would this actually entail were I to try to connect my unit (were I to get one) to my ADSL Lan network thing, here at home? Would I see a drop in performance in my internet speeds? (Sorry, I'm not the most technical of people here :) )


If you have wireless at home then there isn't an issue as the device has that built-in. Although I didn't see if the MX has N wireless for the top speeds.

If you have wired ethernet, and a switch (most home routers have a four port switch built in) and use a USB Ethernet adaptor, you still don't need to worry about the speed. Even with an old USB1 10mbps Ethernet adaptor the switch will just make that single link 10mbps, the rest will run at 100mbps or 1Gbps depending on your home router.
Title: Re: EFIKA-MX New Pricing In Effect
Post by: takemehomegrandma on March 01, 2011, 01:00:21 AM
Quote from: dammy;618092
Guess if you wanted to try AROS hosted on ARM Linux, it just got cheaper to do so: https://www.genesi-usa.com/store/  $129 for the Smarttop and $199 for the Smartbook.

The European store is now open!

http://www.genesi-europe.com/

:)

(Edit: ...selling to outside the EU as well obviously!)