The next revolution in computers?

[McLovin]

Wow, this seems pretty revolutionary.

$50, plug it into any flatscreen TV or monitor, keyboard and mouse hook up wirelessly, and away you go.

Dude, you're getting a $50 computer: The reinvention of Dell | Fox News

[masraum]

Very cool idea, they will probably sell some. I don't want one, and I don't know that the average internet connection is up to the task.

[RWebb]

will it network with my wristwatch and class ring?

[Scott R]

Thin clients been around a long while. Store you data and your profiles in "the cloud." We use these in our call centers, the actual "desktop computer" is a virtual image stored in the ether.



We use the version without any ports however so agents can't plug thing into them.

[id10t]

check out the raspberry pi

[onewhippedpuppy]

That's pretty cool, I'll be interested to see it in execution. I'm still not onboard with the cloud concept, something about not storing critical files locally just doesn't sit well with me.

[Scott R]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I'm still not onboard with the cloud concept, something about not storing critical files locally just doesn't sit well with me.

You and me both.

[wdfifteen]

it's mind boggling, but the idea of no local storage still creeps me out. I use my phone and iPad a lot, but still think of my computer as the mother ship. Not sure I'm ready to set sail from her yet.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

it's mind boggling, but the idea of no local storage still creeps me out. I use my phone and iPad a lot, but still think of my computer as the mother ship. Not sure I'm ready to set sail from her yet.

Especially with huge amounts of storage available for cheap. Most average new laptops have 1 TB or greater hard drive space. Insane.

[VincentVega]

It's funny how some of my first IT work in the 90's was ripping out dumb terminals. Net boot anyone? Full circle once again.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by id10t

check out the raspberry pi

I bought two.

They're too slow.

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

That's pretty cool, I'll be interested to see it in execution. I'm still not onboard with the cloud concept, something about not storing critical files locally just doesn't sit well with me.

I agree. It would be a while before something like this could completely replace your home computer/laptop, etc.

But, for example, 99% of the time spent on my computers at home don't involve critical files.

I think this concept will be huge. It's great for the things that most people do at home. For example, surfing the net and checking emails is a huge % of what most people do on their home computers these days. IMO, for $50, they'd sell millions and millions of these things.

[id10t]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

I bought two.

They're too slow.

For what? They are supposed to have hardware accelerated mpeg decoding and can play 1080p video ...

[Seahawk]

I hope the next revolution in computers is in human factors and system interfaces.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by McLovin

I agree. It would be a while before something like this could completely replace your home computer/laptop, etc.

But, for example, 99% of the time spent on my computers at home don't involve critical files.

I think this concept will be huge. It's great for the things that most people do at home. For example, surfing the net and checking emails is a huge % of what most people do on their home computers these days. IMO, for $50, they'd sell millions and millions of these things.

Absolutely. It would be great to simply plug this thing into the USB port on one of my TVs and surf the net from my recliner.

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by id10t

For what? They are supposed to have hardware accelerated mpeg decoding and can play 1080p video ...

They do, and they actually play 1080p video very well. For what they were designed to do (dirt-cheap platform to teach kids how to program computers), they're just about perfect - and a steal for $35 for the Model B (Model A just out in Europe for $25).

But they run 100% CPU on the XBMC menu doing nothing - and take far too long (forever) to update the library. Forget overclocking; they crash very quickly, even within the approved (e.g. non-warranty impacting) limits.

For a fan-less media player I can velcro to the back of the TV to serve all my content from elsewhere in the house, I've pinned my hopes on/am looking forward to delivery of my ODROID-U2 ODROID | Hardkernel.

Yup, that's a quad-core ARM9 1.7GHz with 2GB of RAM for $89...

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I hope the next revolution in computers is in human factors and system interfaces.

This

[RonDent]

No!!! We must have more hard drives! Unless it has a hard drive its only a toy.

[KaptKaos]

Wearables Benjamin, wearables.

Seriously, human ergonomic interfaces that we are already comfortable with. Things like watches, bracelets, glasses, necklaces, belts, rings, etc...

[john70t]

British internet users' personal information on major 'cloud' storage services can be spied upon routinely by US authorities - News - Gadgets & Tech - The Independent
"All personal information stored by British internet users on major "cloud" computing services including Google Drive can be spied upon routinely without their knowledge by US authorities under newly-approved legislation, it can be disclosed."

My information? Your information?
We are all one in harmony.
Aaaaauuuuummmmmm.

(disclaimer:"we" means those individuals not enrolled in a certified opt-out arraignment)