CompuLab Utilite: A Tiny, Low-Power, Low-Cost, ARM Linux Desktop
After using the CompuLab Utilite Pro for a few weeks, I have a new favorite ARM computer! The Utilite Pro is powerful enough for basic desktop tasks on Ubuntu Linux, provides a nice ARM testing and benchmarking platform, and is built exceptionally well as I have come to expect from the few CompuLab devices I have reviewed over the year.
The Utilite Pro provides incredible value with an i.MX6 quad-core Cortex-A9 processor, Vivante 3D graphics (there's the open-source Mesa driver forming around it too, as a bonus), 2GB of DDR3 RAM, dual-head display support, 32GB Serial ATA SSD, dual Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, and all while only drawing between four and eight Watts. These specs are incredible, the performance-per-Watt is terrific, and it all can be had for a price of $219 USD plus shipping and any duty/VAT depending upon your country.
This is a very nice low-power, low-cost system for someone wanting a nice Linux network server, an environment for testing or experimenting with ARM Linux, or even a basic desktop computer. The connectivity options are great and it's wonderful having Gigabit Ethernet, SATA support, etc, in a low-cost ARM desktop. Dealing with the Utilite is a lot more pleasant than the many ARM development boards out there and having this as a packaged, ready-to-go desktop inside of a reliable chassis is terrific.
The only critiques I have with the CompuLab Utilite is that -- the performance junky within me -- would have loved to see a Cortex-A15 SoC employed by the Utilite for even greater performance, but admittedly this would have raised the price, etc, so in the end I am quite happy with CompuLab's choice of going for the Freescale i.MX6. Additionally, it would be nice to see CompuLab improve its distribution channels so finding the Utilite from major Internet retailers would be easier (CompuLab says they might be available on Amazon in the US in mid-February!).
Those wishing to order the highly recommended Utilite Pro or find out any other information on this low power, feature-rich ARM Linux desktop can visit Utilite-Computer.com or CompuLab to see their other Linux-friendly products. Thanks go out to CompuLab for providing Phoronix with this review sample. The Utilite Pro will also be featured in benchmarks for other upcoming ARM Linux performance articles on Phoronix so stay tuned!
Update: For those concerned about Ubuntu 12.04 LTS being rather out of date with its desktop packages, CompuLab has told me they will likely produce a Ubuntu 14.04. LTS image for the Utilite if there are Freescale graphics drivers available that work well with the release.
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