If you want a Linux machine with enough processing power to function as a desktop computer, there are plenty of rigs out there you can choose from. One with dimensions similar to your desktop mouse, on the other hand? Not so much. That’s exactly what this Utilite2 PC brings to the table.
Made by Compulab, it’s an ARM computer housed inside a die-cast aluminum case that measures just 3.4 x 3.4 x 1.1 inches – a full 30 percent smaller than its predecessor. That compact size makes it not just small enough to cram into a pocket, the darn thing can be a stocking stuffer, if you happened to be generous enough to be giving away full-fledged Linux machines this holiday season.
Core specs for the Utilite2 include a quad-core 1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600, an Adreno 320 GPU, and 2GB of DDR3 RAM. Onboard storage is only 4GB of flash memory, although it comes with an mSATA slot (supports SSDs up to 512GB), a microSD card slot (up to 128GB), and four USB ports for external drives. HDMI, dual-antenna WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, Ethernet, audio in and out, and cellular modem support round out the connectivity features. Cooling is passive (no fan), although this thing uses up so little power (3 to 8 watts) that it shouldn’t be a problem, with Compulab going so far as to claim it’s designed for reliable “24/7 operation.” It’s optimized to run both Android 4.4.3 Kit Kat and Ubuntu Linux (not at the same time, of course).
No pricing has been announced for the Utilite2 as of yet. Given that its predecessor retailed for $219 at the top-end configuration, this probably will go for around the same. It will hit stores later in the month.