| Manufacturer | Sinomanic |
|---|---|
| Type | Subnotebook |
| Media | hard disk IDE 40GB |
| Operating system | Linux, Future Alpha |
| CPU | Loongson 1 (Longxin) |
| Memory | SDRAM 128MB MCom |
| Display | LCD 8.4in diagonal, 1280x1024/24 |
| Input | Keyboard |
| Connectivity | Ethernet 10/100M, DSL modem |
The Sinomanic Tianhua GX-1C is a specially tailored subnotebook for primary and secondary school students in the People's Republic of China. It uses the Loongson I (Longxin) CPU. The device is designed for use as an educational aid and to introduce young students to computers.
Sichuan-based Sinomanic Co., Ltd., launched four models of low-cost personal computers in 2006. Sinomanic is the second maker of Loongson-based personal computers in mainland China. The firm has announced a sales target of 500,000 to 1 million units for their Tianhua GX-1C model. The GX-1C uses a Loongson I (Longxin) CPU similar to that used in the commercially distributed Longmeng Municator from a Chinese startup named Yellow Sheep River. Loongson (Longxin) translates as "Dragon Chip".
Sinomanic has created four different models for distribution to specific markets. The Tianhua GX-1 and Tianhua GX-1C are marketed for education. The Tian Yan GX-2 is a rural computer marketed for farmers, Tian Yan is designed to be used with a television instead of a standard computer monitor, much like the Commodore 64 and Amiga. the operating system for the Tian Yan is tailored for use with a television display. The Tianlong GX-3 is a more robust machine marketed for business. The Tiansheng GX-4 with slightly less memory and processor speeds that vary between 400 MHz and 600 MHz marketed for multimedia users. All desktop units support VGA and television video output.
Prices of desktop models do not include displays.
| Model | Name | Price | CPU | Memory | Storage | Market |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GX-1C | Tianhua | ¥1,998 yuan | 400 MHz | 128MB SDRAM | 40GB | education |
| GX-1 | Tianhua | ¥1,998 | 400 MHz | 128MB DDR | 60GB | education |
| GX-2 | Tian Yan | ¥988 | 400 MHz | 128MB DDR | 1G SD | rural |
| GX-3 | Tianlong | ¥2,998* | 600 MHz | 256MB DDR | 60GB | business |
| GX-4 | Tiansheng | ¥1,398* | 400 MHz | 128MB DDR | 60GB | multimedia |
The reference hardware specifications as of 28 October 2006 are:
According to a translated FAQ on the Sinomanic website and an article on Sanhaostreet.com, Sinomanic technicians were having trouble getting Loongson's proprietary RISC instruction sets to work with Debian Linux and Windows CE. However, the use of the MIPS architecture allowed them to correct many of their compatibility issues.[1]
Versions of Debian Linux and Windows CE will be available for the units that ship initially. But because these operating systems cannot be optimized for Loongson's unique RISC instruction set, Sinomanic has continued development on their own second generation microkernel operating system codenamed Future Alpha. Future Alpha has apparently been customized for compatibility with the 32-bit Loongson I (Longxin) processor. And Sinomanic recently tested an updated version of Future Alpha, for the 64-bit Loongson II microprocessor. The company said that the 64-bit version of their Future Alpha operating system had successfully passed testing on January 19, 2007.[2][3]
In a press release dated 3 March 2007, Sinomanic demonstrated a custom version of Debian Linux running on the Tian Yan GX-2 their rural computer. The unit appeared to be using GNOME as its graphical user interface. Software applications shown were: the Mozilla Firefox browser, an unnamed text editor, Pidgin instant messenger, a PDF reader, and the Evolution email client.[4]
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