We're taking them at their word that it's going to be cheap... but CompuLab is launching what they're calling a very small "desktop" based on a Tegra 2 SOC. You'll forgive my calling it a tablet but the spec-wise the Trim-Slice is not that far off if you forget about the screen.

Its actually got a few extra/different IO on board as well of course, and there is not much mention of the OS in their press release (see release below for specs) other than to say: "an open platform that allows installation of any supported OS and application."... read Android for many of you tinkerers.

Sending out this news release without any mention of what or who would use the platform makes me think of the old days (back in 2002?)when people were shoving the new x86 Mini-ITX based motherboards into toasters, gas cans, lunch boxes and just about anything else you can imagine. Heady times for those wanting to build their own home email, web servers, video players etc... and an exciting time of discovery. These wild enthusiast projects occasionally even led to commercial ideas.

As ARM based platform performance improves it may well go through its own period of device discovery when the enthusiast community shows them just how far they can go. The Trim-Slice should be available in April, so you've got a month or so to figure out... what the heck would you actually do with one?

CompuLab Press Release:

CompuLab is Introducing Trim-Slice – the first NVIDIA® TegraTM 2 based desktop

Haifa, Israel – 24-Jan-11 – CompuLab is introducing Trim-Slice – a miniature desktop computer powered by NVIDIA Tegra 2. With 0.6″ thick all-metal housing, Trim-Slice is CompuLab's smallest and most energy-efficient computer to-date.

NVIDIA Tegra 2 integrates a 1 GHz dual-core ARM Cortex A9 and an ultra-low power GeForce GPU onto the same chip, making it the most powerful ARM based system-on-chip available today.
"Trim-Slice is designed to unleash the full potential of NVIDIA Tegra 2" said Irad Stavi, Director of Business Development at CompuLab. "Trim-Slice feeds the Tegra 2 with all the ingredients for supporting high performance CPU: 1 GB RAM, SATA SSD and dual SDHC for storage and GbE networking. Users can experience the outstanding multimedia capabilities of the Tegra 2 through full-HD HDMI, dual-head display and 5.1 channels digital audio."

"CompuLab demonstrated many times over its expertise in power-efficient system design." said Igor Vaisbein, Trim-Slice Project Manager at CompuLab. "The ultra-low power of NVIDIA Tegra 2 enabled designing Trim-Slice into a miniature form-factor with unprecedentedly low-power envelope while providing rich multimedia capabilities and PC-like user experience".

High performance, low-power, rich I/O and miniature rugged design, position Trim-Slice as an attractive solution for a variety of applications – media player, IPTV, infotainment system, signage, gaming or even desktop replacement to name a few.

Trim-Slice differs from most other ARM based solutions by being a commercially available open platform for software developers.
"The software eco-system on ARM is evolving quickly" said Mike Rapoport, Director of SW Development at CompuLab. "The open-source community and ISVs need an ARM development platform that is versatile, open and powerful. Trim-Slice meets that by incorporating PC-like performance, memory, storage, display, I/O and networking in an open platform that allows installation of any supported OS and application. CompuLab will offer more than one OS working on Trim-Slice out-of-the-box."
CompuLab will cooperate with ISVs that select Trim-Slice as a reference platform.

Specifications
• CPU: NVIDIA® TegraTM 2 Dual Core ARM Cortex A9 1GHz with integrated ultra-low power GeForce GPU
• Memory: 1 GB DDR2-800
• Storage :
o Full size SD (SDHC)
o Micro SD (SDHC)
o SATA SSD (up to 64GB)
• Networking:
o 1 GbE
o WiFi 802.11n + BT
• Display :HDMI 1.3 full-HD + DVI (dual head)
• Audio: Stereo line-out, line-in, 5.1 digital S/PDIF
• Video in: PAL/NTSC
• I/O:
o 4 USB2 ports (480 MBps)
o 1 USB device
o RS232 Serial port
• Extension: JTAG, 2 UARTs, SPI
• Housing: Fanless all-metal nickel-plated die-cast
• Dimensions: 130mm x 95mm x 15mm – 5.1" x 3.7" x 0.6"
• Power: 8-16V DC, 3W average

Availability
CompuLab expects to start accepting orders from Trim-Slice in April. "Trim-Slice pricing is yet to be finalized" said Mr. Stavi. "It will be priced hig¬her than a streamer, but lower than a tablet".

Trim-Slice is guaranteed for long term availability of 5 years. It will be available in several configurations and will be offered to OEMs looking to re-brand the product.
About CompuLab

CompuLab is a leading designer and manufacturer of embedded computing products since 1992. CompuLab's fit-PC line of miniature, fanless PCs – introduced in 2007 – positioned CompuLab as an industry leader in the field of miniature, fanless industrial PCs. CompuLab headquarters are located in Haifa, Israel with offices in St. Petersburg, FL.


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