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

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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

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 slot 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 2xUSB2 N/A 2x10/100/1000 802.11 b/g/n 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
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