What are they?
The fit-PC2 is an energy-efficient, ultra-small and durable desktop PC. It's fanless, with no moving parts, and is completely silent.
Able to run Windows as well as Linux, it's ideal for applications such as office desktops, point-of-sale (POS) systems, information kiosks, internet cafes, classroom computers, home entertainment or even as a specialised router.
Their features include:
- 1.1GHz or 1.6GHz processor (Intel Atom Z510/Z530 CPU)
- 1GB or 2GB RAM
- 160GB 2.5" SATA hard drive
- DVI Digital display interface, up to 1920x1080, plus IR receiver
- HD Audio, line-out 2.0 / mic in / line-in
- 6x USB 2.0 ports
- miniSD and mini PCI Express sockets
- 802.11 b/g wireless
- 1x GigE ethernet port
- A tiny size of 115mm x 101mm x 27mm
- Power consumption of just 6W-8W in use, and less than 1W on standby
- Runs Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Linux
The ALIX and net series are very small, fanless, single board PC-compatible computers (SBCs), with no moving parts, and very low power usage.
Inexpensive to buy and run, they can be used as servers, routers, firewalls, wireless access points and thin clients.
Their features include:
- 266 to 500Mhz processors
- 128 to 512MB RAM
- 1 to 4+ ethernet ports (10/100)
- miniPCI and PCI slots
- Compact Flash slots
- 2.5" hard drive support
- USB ports
- serial ports
- 3-15W power usage
How small are they?
These computers are really small!
As you can see, compared to a regular PC, the ALIX 2 and the net5501 are tiny. At just 38mm high and 160mm square, the ALIX is less than 5% of the size of a standard desktop PC.
The fit-PC2 is even smaller again, and yet is more powerful than both the ALIX and the net5501.
Their size, combined with the fact that they look really good, means that they fit in just about anywhere, whether in the tiniest space or out on show.
What's so good about them?
These computers are:
- Really small - they can fit in just about anywhere
- Silent - no more noisy whirring and clunking
- Unobtrusive - you won't even know they're there
- Ultra reliable - designed to just work
- Versatile - they can do whatever you need them to
- Inexpensive - cost much less than a proprietary solution and are built to last
They also have:
- Low power usage - from 3W to 15W for the ALIX, net5501 and fit-PC2 (compared to 60-100W for a typical desktop PC)
- No moving parts, except for the hard drive - which makes them more reliable and quieter
- Broad O/S support - Unix, Linux various, OpenBSD, FreeBSD, NetBSD, plus Windows on the fit-PC2
- A number of pre-made (and free!) O/S packages for them e.g. m0n0wall, LEAF, pebble, pfSense
and they look cool!
What can you use them for?
Their features make them well suited for use in a diverse range of applications. Some of the possibilities include:
Networking (cabled)
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Wireless networking |
Embedded controllers
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More creative uses
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| Let your imagination run wild! | |
So which one is for me?
Well, that depends on your particular application.
Use the lists below to decide which range has the features you want, visit the product range's main page to learn more about it, and check out the different products in our catalogue.
You might also want to download our detailed comparison chart for the ALIX and net computers.
ALIX
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net
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fit-PC2
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ALIX 1 ALIX 1 "XL" ALIX 2-2 ALIX 2-3 ALIX 3 ALIX 3 Outdoor Dual rack mount ALIX 2 
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net4801 net4801 lite net5501 net5501 "XL" net5501 lite Dual rack mount net4801 Dual rack mount net5501 
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fit-PC2, Windows 7 |
Learn more about the ALIX, net or fit-PC2 computers.
Check out our handy comparisons of the ALIX series or the net series.
Have a look at our ready-made OS images for the ALIX and the net5501.
Visit our glossary for definitions of some the terms that appear in this page.
For more technical information on our computers, visit our technical information pages.