VIA Anounces an Android PC in a Cardboard Box

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VIA is introducing an Android-based computer in a cardboard box. Yes, we know most electronics ship in cardboard boxes, but this is different.

VIA has revealed the APC Paper. The APC Paper is basically an APC Rock board in a cardboard and aluminum box, which opens up like a book to show off the APC Rock board. When closed, it measures 204 x 98 x 28 mm.

The device doesn't run windows, though; instead, it runs a custom version of Android 4.0 with extra attention put into mouse and keyboard support.

The APC Rock board is a Neo-ITX form factor board, and thus measures only 170 x 80 mm. The board is based on an ARM Cortex-A9 chip, carries 512 MB of DDR3 memory, as well as 4 GB of NAND flash. External connectivity is taken care of by an HDMI port, a VGA port, two USB 2.0 ports, an outgoing microUSB port, audio ports and a microSD slot. Internet connectivity is handled by a 100 Mbit Ethernet port.

VIA gave no word on the device's pricing, but did tell us that the device will be coming to shelves somewhere in Q3 2013.

Niels Broekhuijsen
Niels Broekhuijsen

Niels Broekhuijsen is a Contributing Writer for Tom's Hardware US. He reviews cases, water cooling and pc builds.
9 Comments Comment from the forums
  • ronch79
    Cardboard? Not very durable, is it? Hopefully it's as sturdy as the cover of those hardcover books. Also, honestly, who has seen a VIA product 'on the shelves'? They have practically zero presence.
    Reply
  • joytech22
    I really do need this.
    It would be perfect for my in-car back seat entertainment system as long as it still supports touch displays (or I could install a track ball for left & right seats into the centre console in the back seat if not - both back seats have screens).
    I'd stick a cheapy $100 switch in the boot with a small NAS with maybe 2 240GB SSD's with a lot of music and a bunch of movies for long road trips.


    Edit: What's with this 3 of the same comments thing??
    Reply
  • joytech22
    I really do need this.
    It would be perfect for my in-car back seat entertainment system as long as it still supports touch displays (or I could install a track ball for left & right seats into the centre console in the back seat if not - both back seats have screens).
    I'd stick a cheapy $100 switch in the boot with a small NAS with maybe 2 240GB SSD's with a lot of music and a bunch of movies for long road trips.
    Reply
  • joytech22
    I really do need this.
    It would be perfect for my in-car back seat entertainment system as long as it still supports touch displays (or I could install a track ball for left & right seats into the centre console in the back seat if not - both back seats have screens).
    I'd stick a cheapy $100 switch in the boot with a small NAS with maybe 2 240GB SSD's with a lot of music and a bunch of movies for long road trips.
    Reply
  • halcyon
    512MB RAM because clearly 2GB is just way too much /sarcasm
    Reply
  • Matsushima
    10926486 said:
    Cardboard? Not very durable, is it? Hopefully it's as sturdy as the cover of those hardcover books. Also, honestly, who has seen a VIA product 'on the shelves'? They have practically zero presence.
    Try about 10 years ago with FlexATX.
    Reply
  • Soda-88
    Should be good enough for a facebook/email machine, I guess.
    Reply
  • rwinches
    512MB is not enough Android needs 1GB minimum to avoid lag. Core speed needs to be over 1 GHz no matter how many cores.
    Reply
  • Dkz
    I don't understand why the vendors out there keep insisting on making products with low specs. Any good android device MUST have at least 2 cores, running at more than 1Ghz, and at least 1GB of ram. Anything under those specs is just not enough IMHO.
    Reply