Compulab Utilite2 is a Snapdragon 600 Powered mini PC Running Android 4.4 or Ubuntu 14.04

Compulab Utilite is a family of mini PC based on Freescale i.MX6 processors that can run either Android or Ubuntu, and was launched in 2013. The company has now introduced the second generation of Utilite computer with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 quad core Krait 300 processor, with 2GB RAM, eMMC and mSATA storage, and various network connectivity options such as Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, and Cellular. Utilite2 will be 30% smaller than the original Utilite computer, and twice the performance of the Utilite Pro with I.MX6 quad.

 There are two models: Utilite2 4GB, Utilite2 SSD, with the latter adding a 32 GB SSD. Apart from that both models share the same specifications:

• SoC – Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 APQ8064 quad-core Krait 300 @ 1.7GHz with Adreno 320 GPU compliant with OpenGL ES 1.1 / 2.0 / 3.0 and OpenCL
• System Memory – 2GB DDR3-1066
• Storage – 4GB eMMC, mSATA socket (mini-PCie form-factor, populated with 32 GB SSD on SSD model), and micro-SD slot up to 128 GB
• Video Output – HDMI 1.4a max resolution 1920 x 1080
• Audio I/O – HDMI, stereo line-out, stereo line-in, WC09311 audio codec.
• Video Codecs – H.264, MPEG2/4, DivX and VC-1 HW decoding up to 1080p
• Connectivity
  • 1000 BaseT Ethernet port,
  • Dual-antenna WiFi 802.11b/g/n,
  • Bluetooth Bluetooth 4.0 (low energy)
  • Cellular Expansion socket (mini-PCIe form-factor) and on-board uSIM socket for USB cellular modem
• USB – 4x USB 2.0 host ports (max 1A per port), 1x micro USB OTG port
• Debugging – Serial debug console (muxed with USB OTG)
• Misc – RTC,
• Power Supply – Unregulated 10 to 16 volt input
• Power Consumption – 3W – 8W (depending on system load)
• Dimensions – 85mm x 85mm x 27mm (die-cast aluminum enclosure)
• Temperature Range – Commercial: 0C – 45C; Extended: -20C – 60C

Since the first generation Utilite were based on CM-FX6 systems-on-module (SoM), the new computers are likely based on Compulab’s CM-QS600 SoM, which has very similar features as the Utilite2. For an overview of the internal connection, you may want to check out Utilite2 system block diagram below. [Update: Compulab confirmed CM-SQ600 is used in the device)

Compulab will provide Android 4.4.3 Kit Kat with Google Play, and Ubuntu Linux images Since Utilite2 is based on the same processor as IFC6410 development board, that is officially supported by Linaro, you should expect pretty good support. Adreno GPU is supported in Ubuntu 14.04 using the open source Freedreno drivers, which implement OpenGL 2.1, Mesa 10.2.1, and XA support. I don’t know the status of hardware video decoding in Linux. Technical support is available on Utilite computer forum. [Important update: CM-SQ600 the SoM used in Utilite2 is actually officially supported by Linaro, and it’s not using IFc6410 board. See Ubuntu Linaro release for CM-QS600 / Utilite2]

Utilite2 pricing has not been finalized yet, but Compulab will start taking orders later this month, and expects to price the new systems at a better price-performance ratio than that of the original Utilite. For reference Utilite Pro based on Freescale i.MX6 with a 32 GB SSD sells for $219, so the new Utilite2 SSD should probably cost a little bit more. Utilite2 will be manufactured for at least 5 years (long term availability guarantee).  Further details can be found on Compulab’s Utilite2 product page.

Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.

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