Advise Needed: Android VIA8850 Zenithink Vs RaspBerry Pi @ Home Server

coldascold · 01-28-2013, 01:11 AM

Hey I need some advise,if somone could tell me their thoughts.

I have a requirment for a home Server/Home Destop..It must run Linux preferribly Debian but could handle FreeBSD.

It really only has three requirments..

One...It must run Apache/PHP/MySql (Serve a 10mb website)
Two..It must connect to a HD Projector via HDMI
Three..It must run a Current Browser for doing online Banking in an emergency.

I am looking at either an Android or Raspberry Pi..I need you to tell me which one is better for the task.

I would be looking at Running Linux on the Android

I can get the Android for $80 and the Raspberry Pi for $100

The Android claims a 1.2ghz A9 CPU while the Rasberry Pi is only 700mhz
Both have the same amount of Ram and storage.

The Android also claims Full HD playback(Mali400 GPU) via HDMI and the Raspberry also claims the same(I think)..which one will be better for graphics?

It seems obvious the Android would preform better and has added features like a touch screen and is cheaper..
What are your thoughts on running Linux on Android?

Which one should i get for the job at hand?

Thanks.

business_kid · 01-28-2013, 11:29 AM

As long as your server has no traffic to speak of, you might get away with this. I have the Pi, mplayer sucks, you have to use omxplayer, but that's ok.

You will have to readjust with nice to make the playback basically stop while httpd/mysql/php talk out. I frankly think this may be a bit much of a load. I don't even know if you can get all those programs for the arm. You can do playback; You can do browsing, but cpu load slows the process.

The browser situation is likely to be: You can get html, & ssl; java will be iced tea, and flash is out of the question - maybe a port of gnash. Youtube is doable with youtube-dl. TV replays (requiring flash) are not.

The Android offers '1cc' more power for less money so it looks the better bet. It also comes with a headstart on the java side.

business_kid · 01-29-2013, 05:04 AM

You might find these useful. What strikes me is that each needs 100% of the arm cpu. So I would see it as either/or
http://www.raspberrypi.org/phpBB3/vi...hp?f=63&t=4697
http://www.raspberrypi.org/phpBB3/vi...p?f=62&t=26410

EDIT: Also http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...ed-4175442641/