windows 10

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment on Gumstix Nodana 96BCE 96Boards Compatible Baseboard Takes Intel Joule Module

Gumstix Nodana 96BCE 96Boards Compatible Baseboard Takes Intel Joule Module

96Boards is an initiative from Linaro, an engineering organization focusing on ARM development, to define some hardware and software specifications for development boards. But since 96Boards specifications are open, Gumstix decided to create the first x86 board compliant with 96Boards CE hardware specifications with Nodana 96BCE baseboard powered by Intel Joule Module. For obvious reasons, this will never be an officially supported 96Boards.org platform. Nodana 96BCE board specifications: SoM – Intel Joule Module based on Intel Atom T5700 or T5500 processor with up to 16GB storage, 4GB RAM. External Storage – 1x micro SD card Video Output – 1x HDMI port USB – 2x USB 3.0 ports, 1x USB 3.0 type C port Expansion Headers 96Boards Low Speed connector with I2C, SPI and UART 96Board High Speed connector with MIPI DSI and USB 2.0 Power Supply – 8 to 18 V (if it follows 96Boards CE specs) Dimensions – 85 […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 10 Comments on Qualcomm is Finally Open for Business with Snapdragon 410E and 600E Processors for Embedded & IoT Applications

Qualcomm is Finally Open for Business with Snapdragon 410E and 600E Processors for Embedded & IoT Applications

Qualcomm processors are found in mobile devices and wearables selling in large quantities, some boards and modules from embedded systems companies such as Inforce Computing and Intrinsyc, as well as it own 96Boards compliant DragonBoard 410c and DragonBoard 600c development boards, but it’s hard to find them in many other products, and few crowdfunding campaign feature Snapdragon processors, as Qualcomm may not be willing to work with smaller companies and startups. The company has made some progress in that regards with their partnership with Allwinner to allow smaller Chinese companies to manufacture Snapdragon based Tablets, and their newly introduced Snapdragon 410E and 600E processors targeting embedded systems and IoT applications, available from Arrow Electronics without questions asked, and with long term availability for 10 years, i.e. until 2025 based on available of Snapdragon 410 mobile version. Snapdragon 410E (APQ 8016E) specifications: CPU – Quad ARM Cortex A53 @ up to […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 17 Comments on ONENUTS T1 Combines Projector, Tablet, and mini PC into one Device

ONENUTS T1 Combines Projector, Tablet, and mini PC into one Device

ONENUTS T1 look reminds me of GOLE1 mini PC / tablet combo, and the device also features the same Intel Atom x5-Z8300 processor. However, the 8″ display is quite bigger, and more importantly it includes a mini DLP projector. ONENUTS T1 specifications: SoC – Intel Atom x5-Z8300 “Cherry Trail” quad core processor @ 1.44 GHz / 1.84 GHz with Intel Gen8 HD graphics (2W SDP) System Memory –  2 GB DDR3L Storage – 32 GB eMMC flash + micro SD slot up to 64GB Projector – 0.3″ TI DMD (DLP) + LED technology, 1280×720 resolution, 5.5″ to 81″ screen size, 300 lumens, 500:1 contrast ratio; lifetime: > 20,000 hours Display – 8″ capacitive touchscreen IPS display with 1280×800 resolution (16:10 aspect ratio) Video Output – HDMI 1.4 port Audio I/O – HDMI, 3.5mm headphone jack, built-in speaker Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 4.0 LE USB – […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 21 Comments on Report: Linux Cannot Be Installed on Microsoft Signature Edition PCs, Laptops and Tablets

Report: Linux Cannot Be Installed on Microsoft Signature Edition PCs, Laptops and Tablets

Microsoft Signature program is designed to make sure certified devices offer the best possible experience for users, as they can not come with bloatware, include Windows Defender, and must meet strict hardware requirements. However according to a Phoronix report, “providing the best possible user experience” also includes blocking installation of alternative operating systems such as Ubuntu, Debian, or other Linux distributions. The issue was discovered by rijesh who attempted to install Ubuntu 16.04 on his Microsoft Signature Edition Lenovo Yoga 900 13-ISK2 laptop, and noticed that while the BIOS and Windows 10 could see his 512 GB hard drive, Ubuntu was unable to find it, and a customer support representative answered that: This system has a Signature Edition of Windows 10 Home installed. It is locked per our agreement with Microsoft. Another user reports having successfully installed Ubuntu 16.04 on his Lenovo YOGA 900-13ISK, so the devil is in the […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments on Kangaroo Notebook is a Modular Laptop with a Replaceable PC Module/Card

Kangaroo Notebook is a Modular Laptop with a Replaceable PC Module/Card

Infocus has been making Kangaroo mini PCs with separate docks, and now the company is introducing its Kangaroo Notebook which can be upgraded with a new CPU card, but sadly it’s completely incompatible with the Kangaroo Mobile Desktop models, and instead they designed Kangaroo Mini PC card that can be inserted in the left side of the laptop. Kangaroo Notebook + Mini module specifications: Kangaroo Mini SoC – Intel Atom x5-Z8350 quad core Cherry Trail processor with Intel HD graphics System memory – 2GB RAM Storage – 32GB eMMC flash + mini SD card reader Connectivity – 802.11ac WiFi and Bluetooth 4.2 Dimensions – 9.7 x 4.1 x 0.9 cm Weight – 51 grams Kangaroo Notebook Display – 11.6″ touchscreen display with 1366×768 resolution QWERTY Keyboard & Synaptic Clickpad Storage – SD card reader Camera – 1MP webcam Audio – 3.5mm audio jack, microphone, and speakers USB – 1x USB […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 10 Comments on MinnowBoard Turbot SBC Gets a Quad Core Atom E3845 Processor, Better Ethernet, and a Fansink

MinnowBoard Turbot SBC Gets a Quad Core Atom E3845 Processor, Better Ethernet, and a Fansink

MinnowBoard Turbot open source hardware SBC was released in 2015 with an Intel Atom E3826 dual core Bay Trail-I processor, 2GB RAM, SATA and Gigabit Ethernet support, and a new version – MinnowBoard Turbot Quad – with a more powerful quad core processor, an heatsink and fan, and better Ethernet connectivity will be launched in December. MinnowBoard Turbot Quad “MBT-4210” board specifications: SoC – Intel Atom E3845 quad core Bay Trail-I processor @ 1.92 GHz with Intel HD graphics @ 542 / 792 MHz (10W TDP) System Memory – 2GB DDR3L 1067 MT/s (Soldered) Storage – 1x SATA2 3Gbs, 1x micro SD card slot, , 8 MB SPI Flash for firmware (Tianocore UEFI, Coreboot, SeaBIOS) Video & Audio Output – 1x micro HDMI connector Connectivity – 10/100/1000M Ethernet RJ-45 connector (Intel i211 instead of Realtek NIC on first board) USB – 1x USB 3.0 host, 1x USB 2.0 host Debugging […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 21 Comments on MINIX NEO Z83-4 Fanless mini PC Review – Part 1: Specs, Unboxing and Teardown

MINIX NEO Z83-4 Fanless mini PC Review – Part 1: Specs, Unboxing and Teardown

MINIX has just launched a new Windows 10 mini PC with MINIX NEO Z83-4 powered by an Intel Atom x5-Z8300 quad core processor, 4GB RAM, 32GB storage, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11ac WiFi, etc.. The company sent me an early review sample, and today I’ll go through the specs, take pictures of the device and accessories, and tear it down to check out the PCBA, and the thermal design. MINIX NEO Z83-4 Specifications MINIX latest mini PC has slightly higher-0end specifications that most X5-Z8300 computers or sticks: SoC – Intel Atom x5-Z8300 “Cherry Trail” quad core processor @ 1.44 GHz / 1.84 GHz (Turbo) with Intel Gen8 HD graphics (2W SDP) System Memory –  4GB DDR3L Storage – 32 GB eMMC 5.0 flash + micro SD slot Video Output – HDMI 1.4 and mini DP up to 4K @ 30 Hz Audio I/O – HDMI, 3.5mm earphone jack Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet, […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 6 Comments on Hardware Requirements for Discounted Windows 10 Licenses for Entry Level mini PCs, TV Sticks, Tablets, Notebooks, and AiO

Hardware Requirements for Discounted Windows 10 Licenses for Entry Level mini PCs, TV Sticks, Tablets, Notebooks, and AiO

Even since the first low cost mini PCs and TV sticks started to come to market there was lots of confusion about Windows 8.1/10 licenses, because while small tablets could be shipped with Windows 8.1 with Bing/Windows 10 with a free license, mini PCs required  a different discounted NTE license costing between $15 and $30. Price differs depending who your ask… So while the cheapest devices normally shipped unactivated, some companies like PiPo decided to install Windows with the latest version to cut costs… Microsoft eventually noticed, and PiPo had to stopped the practise, instead making mini PCs with small displays… The exact hardware requirements were also unclear so far for either the free or discount tablet, but the following table dropped in my email Inbox recently… It explains which hardware is accepted for an Entry level license. OST means Online Service Terms, and the devices matching the hardware requirements […]

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