====== 2012.01.19 - base hardware ======

{{ :blog:2012:01:19:tl_wr703n_hw_in_hand.jpg?250|TL-WR703N hardware (image taken from http://dev.wlan-si.net/raw-attachment/wiki/Routers/TP-LINK/WR703N/TL-WR703N_naked_in_hand.jpg)}}

few days ago i've ordered very small router with integrated [[wp>WiFi]]. not that i needed new router - its just the price/functionality factor. just take a look at the [[http://dev.wlan-si.net/wiki/Routers/TP-LINK/WR703N|TL-WR703N's parameters]]. when you strip it from its casing you'll see nice, small piece of hardware (image to the right). USB 2.0, Ethernet 100Mbps, WiFi/n... and it all comes for ~22$, with free shipping. looks nice - we'll see what can be done with it, when it finally arrives. :)

being happy, waiting, and browsing i came along another interesting project - [[http://www.raspberrypi.org|Raspberry Pi]] board. this in turn is a 25$, ARM board. it has enough computational power (along with GPU) to play BluRay movies. all powered with micro USB or 4xAA.

there is one more nice feature of goth devices - very low power consumption! when it comes to that, [[wp>Intel|Intel's]] [[wp>x86|x86*]] family is still far behind (also counting Atom CPUs). [[http://www.wojek.net|wojek]] recalled recently [[wp>Total Annihilation]] and its [[wp>ARM architecture|ARM]] vs. [[wp>Intel Core|Core]] conflict. looks like it came true, though not that literally as in the game... ;)

as i've said many times before - we live in an interesting times... :)