Group: Hardware/Computers/Single Board Computers/Plug Computers

Plug Computers are computers that fit in a small form-factor and are power-efficient. Most of the time, Plug Computers use a System-on-a-Chip (SoC) with an ARM processor, run a GNU/Linux system and are used as domestic servers.

Software freedom comparison

While some Plug Computers can be used with fully free software running on the main processor, not all of them are perfect. Hence, here is a comparison of different models of Plug Computers and their flaws regarding software freedom.

Flawless targets

These plug computers can be operated with all the hardware features available, using only free software.

• The Globalscale SheevaPlug can be operated using only free software:
  • The bootloader is free software and can easily be replaced
  • The kernel and all the drivers needed are free software
  • There is no hardware component that requires a non-free loaded firmware

Seriously flawed targets

These plug computers are usable with free software, but important hardware features are not functional. There may be workarounds for these however.

• The Globalscale DreamPlug is flawed as the WiFi and bluetooth hardware require non-free firmwares
  • The bootloader is free software and can easily be replaced
  • The kernel and all the drivers needed are free software
  • WiFi and bluetooth both need a non-free loaded firmware, but the USB ports make it possible to use external WiFi and/or bluetooth dongle that can work with free software (both USB2 ports can provide up to 500mA)

Hardware features comparison

Name	Manufacturer	SoC	CPU frequency	RAM	Internal storage	External storage	USB	PCI	Ethernet	WiFi	Bluetooth
SheevaPlug	Globalscale	Kirkwood 88F6281	1.2 Ghz	512 Mb	512 Mb	SD card	1xUSB2	N/A	1x10/100/1000	N/A	N/A
DreamPlug	Globalscale	Kirkwood 88F6281	1.2 Ghz	512 Mb	4 Gb (µSD card)	e-SATA, SD card	2xUSB2	N/A	2x10/100/1000	802.11 b/g/n, AP	3.0

Software features comparison

Name	Manufacturer	Architecture	Bootloader	Kernel	GNU/Linux
SheevaPlug	Globalscale	ARMv5/armel	Upstream U-Boot	Upstream Linux	Upstream Debian
Dreamplug	Globalscale	ARMv5/armel	Upstream U-Boot	Upstream Linux	Upstream Debian