It's not the first time we're run into CUPP Computing's unique ability to blend the x86 and ARM platforms into one device -- at least in prototype form -- and just before the start of Computex 2011 here in Taipei we got a chance to experience the company's latest iteration called PunkThis. The product is meant to replace your computer's 2.5-inch SATA hard drive with a board featuring a complete ARM-based system along with a mini-PCIe socket -- the latter capable of accommodating a physically smaller SATA SSD to handle the missing storage for the x86 host. PunkThis is built around a Texas Instruments DM3730 ARM CPU with 512 MB of RAM and includes a WiFi radio, as well as connectors and cables to interface the board with existing video, audio, and USB facilities on the host computer (no soldering required).
The netbook we got to play with was running Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) but was lacking WiFi support. It ran perfectly alongside Windows 7 which was powered by the existing Atom processor. Switching OS-es is just a hotkey away, and battery life is supposedly doubled when the main x86 CPU is shut down and the only the daughter board is operational. PunkThis also provides two microSD card slots -- one for system storage used by the ARM-based OS (Android in this case), the other for mass storage visible to both environments (shared space). Pricing is supposed to remain below $200 and availability is expected in 8 weeks. That's pretty hardcore, but with a name like PunkThis would you expect anything less? Feast your eyes on our gallery and peek after the break for our hands-on video along with the obligatory PR
CUPP PunkThis Techinical Specifications:
TI DM3730 1.0Ghz A8 processor
512 MB RAM
Micro SD System Memory
Mini PCIe SSD for PC C: Drive
Micro SD for Shared Drive
Wifi
USB ToGo
USB Host
Keyboard Controller (User Reprogrammable Keyboard Controller)
Audio I/O
OS Development
Ubuntu
Android 2.3 (to be updated as new releases become available)
Open Platform
Other:
20 hour battery life in 10" Netbook
40 hour battery life with low power screen (PixelQi)
Sub $200 USD Price
PunkThis Enclosure: (Price undetermined)
5 USB Ports
Audio I/O
DVI I/O
Power
SD Card
Head Phone Jack
Presently implemented in Asus 1015PN
Solder-less Wiring Kit for Asus 1015PN - Mid July
Module Production - Mid July
PunkThis Enclosure - Start September
Send interest to sales@cuppcomputing - "Pre-Order" in heading.
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