ARM Blog

Recently I was browsing the internet when I came across a thin client computer from HP, the HP t5325.
Some more detailed tech specs can be found here.

This little device with the size somewhat bigger than a 3,5″ harddrive delivers the following specs:
CPU: Marvell Kirkwood 1,2 GHz
RAM: 512 Mb (800 MHz)
HDD: 512 Mb FLASH, internally S-ATA soldered and connected
GPU: XGI Volari Z11 with 64 Mb dedicated RAM
LAN: 10/100 Mbit
USB: 4 x USB 2.0
OS: HP ThinPro with various clients to connect to remote servers/computers. Iceweasel for browsing with Java and Flash support
BL: uBoot
COST: 170 to 250 euro's depending on the accessories.
BOX: Contains the desktop, keyboard (traditional HP), mouse, power adapter, DVI-VGA adapter and booklets.

The box uses around 8 watt when used at it’s fullest, it features a DVI connector supporting up to 1440×900 at 24 bits and 1680×1050 at 16 bits and there is also a sound card on-board delivering 2 jacks with headphone/line out and microphone/line in, there is also a built-in powerspeaker delivering mono sound.

This box primarily use is on a network, booted that way, but can be used as a stand-alone as well, seen the Iceweasel browser, actually, ThinPro is a modified Debian version.

The major drawback is the lack of Gigabit support, which the SoC accepts, however, the PHY does not. However, only using this box for some standard desktop work like browsing and emailing and such, there is no need for a 1000 Mbit connection, but it would have been a nice extra feature.

There are various pictures on the net covering the inside of the box and explaining the internal mainboard’s connectors, as from what I’ve seen there is this:
S-ATA, however, there is no room for a 2,5″ drive, only a CF card would fit.
JTAG, for debugging
SERIAL, for controlling uBoot and the device itself.
SD, a SD host controller is also available

I’ve added some pictures about the device, it’s ports and the complete setup. If all goes well I’ll be having this device in a couple of weeks and can’t wait to turn it into a real desktop with my own Debian on it, using it as a fully features desktop!

EDIT 28-3-2011:
I’ve just ordered a unit! Should deliver tomorrow! 🙂

EDIT 30-3-2011:
The box was delivered yesterday! It runs pretty fast, upgraded the software to Squeeze, however, disk is full now :). Ordered a 4-pin cable for use with the soldered serial header on eBay, should deliver next week, so I can start controlling uBoot and install a frsh Debian copy on it. I will add a post on how I managed to get it working then :).

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