The SolidRun CuBox is is the world's smallest desktop computer. The high performance, low power HTPC and media centre is packed into a tiny cube, just 2 × 2 × 2 inches in size.
Weighing 91 grams (0.2lb, 3.2oz), the highly-efficient fanless computer runs happily on less than 3W power*, even when streaming and decoding full-screen 1080p video - and it's all available as an open source development platform!
"Solid-Run's CuBox is a full computer in a sub 3 Watt power envelope. It's a flexible, advanced platform optimized for running Android TV applications and for media-centric open source application development" said Rabeeh Khoury, CTO of Solid-Run (shown demonstrating XBMC running on the CuBox, showing full HD playback and only using 2.5Watts).
"SolidRun's value add is our commitment to providing rich development ecosystem and providing critical resources such as comprehensive software development kits, debug and recovery mechanisms and online community forums," Khoury added.
The CuBox developer platform is highly energy efficient and based on Marvell Armada 510 SoC. The uses for the device are endless, yours might be used as a thin client, network attached storage, digital signage solution, set top box, Android TV, home security device or as a well-rounded media player. Take advantage of the following key features:
| Video Output | Up to Full-HD at 1080p60 |
| Video Codec | HD - H.264 HP@L4.1, VC-1 AP@L3, WMV 9 MP@HL, MPEG-2 MP@HL, MPEG-4 ASP, DivX, Xvid |
| Video Container | MKV, M2TS, AVI, MPG etc... |
| Main Processor | ARMv7 running up to 800MHz |
| DRAM | 32 bit, 800MHz Data Rate DDR3 - 1GB (CuBox), 2GB (CuBox Pro) |
| Network | One 10/100/1000 Ethernet Port |
| USB Host | 2 High Speed Ports |
| USB Device | 1 device used for development purposes. |
| HDMI | 1 HDMI Output Port (with CEC support) |
| Audio | 1 Optical SPDIF Output Port |
| Storage – MicroSD | One MicroSD - System ships with 4GB for system files. Can be upgraded to 64GB or more by the user. |
| Storage – eSATA | One eSATA Port Supporting both Gen-1 and Gen-2 |
| Infrared | Infrared Receiver with LIRC software support |
| Input power | 5mm/2.1mm DC Jack. Requires a 5V/2A power supply (included). Actual current consumption is much less if no USB devices are connected to the system. |
| Power Consumption | Streaming from fast Ethernet and playing Full HD less than 3 W. Certain tasks and configurations might produce higher power consumption. |
| Dimensions | Approximately: 55mm x 55mm x 42mm. |
| OS | Android 2.2, Linux |
| Media Player | XBMC Media Player with all supported plugins. Example: YouTube plugin – supports 1080p playback |
| Browser | Chrome browser with flash 10.1 |
| Video | Gstreamer based video acceleration architecture |
| USB Subsystem | Mass storage device support and USB wifi (11 b/g/n based). |
| eSata | External storage bricks addition via eSata |
* Test was done while streaming 1080p / 10Mbps h.264 advanced profile content over 100Mbps. Worst case power consumption might be higher.
** Bricking a product (software wise) is a common mistake developers make. The CuBox incorporates features that can recover the system, without the use of JTAG, even if the boot loader was completely erased.