Fit PC Slim Proves You Can Take it With You

By Geoff Duncan Published September 18, 2008

Fit PC Slim Proves You Can Take it With You — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Mobile computing might be all the rage, but let’s face it: most notebook computer and even nettops aren’t really all that portable. They have these big bulky things called screens, and these big bulky things called keyboards. And they take up a lot of space in a bag—don’t even think about trying to pop one in a pocket! Keyboards and monitors are available almost everywhere—wouldn’t it be great just to unplug your PC, drop it in your pocket, and be done?

That’s the theory behind the fit-PC Slim, a Windows and Linux-capable computer jammed into a 330 cubic centimeter enclosure that’s maybe the size of a couple decks of cards. And the fit-PC Slim doesn’t skimp on features, offering three USB ports, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, an upgradeable 60 GB hard disk, 512 MB of RAM, 100-BaseT Ethernet, VGA output, and stereo input and output. The fit-PC Slim operates using an AMD Geode LX800 CPU running at 500 Mhz, and uses an integrated Geode LX graphics controller capable of driving a display up to 1,920 by 1,440 pixels. The unit can also boot over Ethernet, and can user Etherlink for BIOS updates. The whole unit consumes between 4 and 6 Watts, and operates off a 12 Volt power supply.

Recommended Videos

The fit-PC Slim is available with either Windows XP Home SP3 or Ubuntu 8.04 + Gentoo 2008.0 Linux preloaded. A (ahem) slimmed down version with 256 MB of RAM and no Wi-Fi or hard drive is available for $220; adding Wi-Fi takes it up to $247. With 512 MB of RAM, Wi-Fi, and Linux the fit-PC Slim will run $295; with Windows XP the same unit runs $335. We know these sorts of systems won’t work for everybody, but we can think of any number of techs, consultants, and IT folks who might start drooling over the fit-PC Slim as a viable alternative to notebooks.

Former Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Computing

Deepfake bosses are crashing video calls, and researchers are trying to expose them

Seeing your boss on video no longer proves they are real

Researchers at Fraunhofer SIT are fighting against deepfake meeting video calls

Entering into a meeting with your boss and several familiar coworkers inside a video conference is the next area vulnerable to cybercrimes, and it's all because of deepfake technology. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Secure Information Technology SIT are working on a real-time warning system designed to identify attempted fraud during corporate video conferences.

The report states that criminals are increasingly targeting video meetings for identity theft and financial scams, taking advantage of the trust people place in familiar faces and voices. The intention is to flag suspicious activity while the meeting is still taking place. This gives an employee a chance to stop before following an expensive instruction from an AI-generated executive.

Computing

Apple will finally stop making iPhone-to-Windows copy-paste such a chore

Your iPhone may finally copy and paste with a Windows PC like it should

Apple Universal Clipboard feature

Copying something on an iPhone and pasting it onto a Windows PC should be one of the least remarkable features imaginable. While this simple process seems effortless between an iPhone and Mac, Windows users are still left waiting.

Now, Microsoft is formally asking Apple to provide interoperable clipboard access through the company’s European Union interoperability process. The request, submitted on March 25, argues that iOS restrictions prevent third-party platforms from creating an experience comparable to Apple’s Universal Clipboard. Apple has now reached Phase III and committed to developing a solution.

Computing

Chrome wants more extension reviews, but good ratings won’t keep malware out

Google is testing built-in extension review prompts, but good ratings can still hide malware

malicious-google-chrome-extensions-on-web-store

Google is preparing to add extension review links directly inside Chrome, putting feedback closer to the menus people already use to manage their add-ons.

A Chromium change, first spotted by Windows Report, points to review options in the Extensions menu, the chrome://extensions management page, and extension context menus. Only eligible Chrome Web Store extensions in good standing would qualify, and the feature is still under development.