3 ms·

One thing I will say about this, is don't expect tonnes of computation power. The Allwinner A64 is the same processor as in the PineBook (OG), PinePhone and Pin

by bArray 5y ago

One thing I will say about this, is don't expect tonnes of computation power. The Allwinner A64 is the same processor as in the PineBook (OG), PinePhone and PineTab - all of which are desperately begging for more processing power. That said, it will play back H264 videos just fine, you will be able to browse a limited number of tabs, listen to music, etc, etc. Just don't expect to replace your current desktop - it's very likely far less capable than the smartphone in your pocket. I think the killer feature for these devices are yet to arrive. I want to see a small decentralized (+) eco-system where you essentially get some light and synchronized version of your Linux desktop. For example, I want to be able to check my RSS feeds whilst on the move and have the 'read' items synced across devices. Or begin listening to a podcast on one device and then resume it on my desktop when I get home. What we'll likely get though is a mini-Linux desktop that barely runs anything, gets some very focussed device-specific apps and they won't play nicely with anything at all. (+) Read: Doesn't require some cloud server, simply that the devices are on the same network.

grp000 5y ago
So, a hobbyist device basically.
bsharitt 5y ago
I feel like these low spec ARM CPUs are basically the 6502 and z80 of the late 80s of our day. Still technically usable, but far outclassed by contemporary hardware, yet finding their way into the hands of hobbyists.
- bArray 5y ago
  > I feel like these low spec ARM CPUs are basically the 6502 and z80 of the late 80s of our day. For sure and don't get me wrong, somebody motivated to do so could get a lot out of it still. I'm still impressed on a (mostly) weekly basis by the progress being made for Linux on mobiles: https://linmob.net/ https://linmob.net/ > Still technically usable, but far outclassed by contemporary hardware, yet finding their way into the hands of hobbyists. Kind of reminds me of the early Raspberry Pi devices that were 'technically' able to replace a desktop - but would you? Probably not. For $300-$400 it's probably a little on the high-end for a hobbyist device too. Bare in mind the early PineBook, PinePhone and PineTab were each $100 or so with similar specs.

by bArray 5y ago

grp000 5y ago

So, a hobbyist device basically.

bsharitt 5y ago

I feel like these low spec ARM CPUs are basically the 6502 and z80 of the late 80s of our day. Still technically usable, but far outclassed by contemporary hardware, yet finding their way into the hands of hobbyists.

bArray 5y ago
> I feel like these low spec ARM CPUs are basically the 6502 and z80 of the late 80s of our day. For sure and don't get me wrong, somebody motivated to do so could get a lot out of it still. I'm still impressed on a (mostly) weekly basis by the progress being made for Linux on mobiles: https://linmob.net/ https://linmob.net/ > Still technically usable, but far outclassed by contemporary hardware, yet finding their way into the hands of hobbyists. Kind of reminds me of the early Raspberry Pi devices that were 'technically' able to replace a desktop - but would you? Probably not. For $300-$400 it's probably a little on the high-end for a hobbyist device too. Bare in mind the early PineBook, PinePhone and PineTab were each $100 or so with similar specs.