Skinny Bytes offers sub-25.5W, all-in-one POE computers
A list of devices running Power-over-Ethernet (POE) usually comprises low-power applications such as VoIP phones and video cameras. If you need computer access, most likely you’d be limited to a terminal-only device because of the low-power requirements of POE. Even the recent-adopted higher-power version, IEEE 802.3 at, limits the power available to individual devices to 25.5W over Cat 5 cable.
Skinny Bytes sees an opportunity here for low-power, sub-25.5W all-in-one (AIO) computers, especially for classrooms where the cost of adding additional ac outlets, or the hazards of daisy-chaining ac power strips, can be prohibitive. To minimize power needs, Skinny Bytes computers use solid state drives, low-power Intel Atom Processors, and fanless passive cooling.
The touch-screen-based systems, which include Windows 7, start at $699 for the 10.1-inch tablet, and the 15.6-inch AIO system starts at $899.
(For a quick comparison, I measured my Dell laptop power with a Kill-o-Watt meter: When booting up it sucks 50W, and then calms down to about 23W.)
[Via gizmag.]
Andy T commented:
@Steve - you missed my point and deliberate skepticism. Commercial buildings already have their lights installed...that leaves new construction. Not exactly a huge market these days given economic woes and commercial building glut.
And then there's insurance...CAT-5 PoE cables will get hot - it'll be interesting to see how long the party lasts before UL, CSA, and NEC get involved based on insurance company pressures.
On PoE, every cable homes to a router...a LOT of cable compared to a light string at 120V where one home run can power >100 LED fixtures. So 100 CAT-5 runs, all homing to a router, each installed by an IT chimp, or one home run and string by an electrician who won't burn down your building by hanging cables on steel and fasteners...sort of a wash, IMO.
Besides, if the light bulb goes out on PoE, you forget that you have to call tech support in India, have them go through their checklist, including "turn it off for 2 minutes and turn it on again", and get then get them to write a ticket for someone to get around to checking router and port tables, and then calling again after the router guy/gal closes the ticket with a NFF, then calling tech support again to open another ticket to get someone looking at the fixture and wire run. All I have to say is ...have candles in your desk at work :-)
Lorenzo commented:
I think it's a good idea, but not if powering the ethernet cable from a distant PoE enabled router or switch. I think a good idea would be making a PoE wall outlet, so the power is run from the wall to the end device, and the power loss is minimized.
RalphG commented:
POE is aimed at powering devices that are mobile and can moved WITHOUT having to worry about IF a power outlet is available. Allows surveillance cameras to be placed with only the Ethernet cable being required to wire to the installation site. Or VOIP phones to be moved without location of power outlets to worry about. And the cost is coming down to where it is not a barrier to most applications.
Steve Leibson commented:
You miss the point, Andy T, although it was easy enough for me to miss too until the recent Ethernet summit. You need licensed electricians (union electricians in some locales) to run ac power but not for Cat 5. There's a major savings in new construction. It's not the $3 power bar or the inexpensive wall wart you're saving.
Andy T commented:
I'd be shocked (pun intended) if PoE was lifeline rated, ignoring the lack of GFI for the moment.
Most hospitals have intermediate transitional power (batteries, flywheel) to cover the generator coming on line, so PoE in hospitals is lame (another pun intended) as well since the critical care outlets are already UPS and GFI.
I'll reiterate - the power loss in the cable is huge for any high power endpoint, so unless you wrap the waterpipes in Cat-5 to keep them from freezing, the technology is mere curiosity...kinda like that USB coffee warmer you own.
This to me is a classical case of technology looking for a market - a formula typically leading to FAIL
Steve W commented:
Schools - I think not. This kind of technology is more for industy. Imagine lying in hospital being monitored over IP, which would you prefer - UPS backed Cat5e PoE or WiFi?
PoE (less wires) is best alternative to wireless.
Andy T commented:
One word comes to mind - "why?"
All this talk about energy efficiency; with this we'd be losing a lot of energy heating Cat-5 cables in some tech geek fantasy of Cisco becoming PG&E.
All this to replace a $3 power bar? Oops - I forgot - add $3 for the wall wart.
And then, tell me how these guys will stay in business when schools can buy an Atom-based netbook for 150 bucks that the kid can take home to do his homework on, especially for 'inner city" students (sure, they'll have Cat-5 at the house....). What's that? Oh, there's a wall wart to go with it?
