CherryPal offers a new low power cloud computing that has no moving parts. The PC draws two watts of power and uses hardware encryption. The device features a 400MHz Freescale MPC5121e mobileGT processor and 256 MB DRAM, and 4GB NAND Flash solid state storage, with wifi b/g, 2 USB ports, and RJ45 10/100Mbps Ethernet,VGA out, and audio outlets. It weighs in at 10.5oz.

Will CherryPal be the first mass-market cloud computer?

 

The CherryPal will retail at $249. The paperback-sized box contains a low powered processor similar to a GPS cpu, and a relatively low amount of memory but could be the new wave of an oncoming trend in low cost, low power, pervasive computing. CherryPal Inc company focuses on making green, afforable personal computers. The CherryPal PC uses 97 per cent less than the average desktop PC.

From available pictures, CherryPal is a small, black, rectangular box mini-desktop and looks like a enterprise-popular thin client, where the processing is off-loaded to the host server.

The power-saving properties of CherryPal’s new Linux-based mini-desktop may attract interest out of eco conscience, but its performance may lead to some concerns. The cloud that it connects to also has infrastructure cost and maintenance to someone. Client-server computing needs a back office in place.

It also comes out of the box with programs like iTunes, Open Office, custom media player and IM client. Many people only use their computers to check email, browse the web, do simple word processing. Most of today’s desktop and laptop PCs are overkill. The rise in availability and popularity of online programs such as Google Docs allows less on the local machine.

But it also means constantly being tethered to the web. Wifi connections can be found in many places but not always where you need it and at the most convenient time.

Check out other possibilities in this market such as the Asus eee line of mini PCs, also with solid state storage.

The biggest question I would have is how does the small screen and keyboard affect my productivity and fat fingers?

I’d like to test drive a CherryPal PC to find out if it could meet more than just an occasional convenience access to basic computing. But the CherryPal and Asus micro PCs are an interesting step in the direction of low power, cloud connected, devices, the way mobile phones have evolved from the opposite end of functionality.

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