Recommend a sub-$250 PowerPC SBC?

From: Lewin A.R.W. Edwards (larwe_at_larwe.com)
Date: 11/06/04 

Date: Sat, 06 Nov 2004 12:22:44 GMT

I've been asked to write some articles about developing an example
Linux-based embedded app on x86 and porting it across to a PowerPC
platform. When I was contacted by the people that want these articles, I
said that I hadn't worked much with PowerPC because PPC-based SBCs are
so expensive that they've generally been thrown right out of the race at
the start. Unfortunately, that still seems to be true.

I've been pointed at the Kuro box,
<http://penguinppc.org/embedded/kuro/>. The price is ideal, but two
factors concern me about this appliance:

1. Lack of detailed documentation. It seems to have very ad-hoc support
in general, at least here in the US.
2. Apparently there is no way to reflash the board if you erase U-Boot.
I'll be experimenting with homebrewed kernels and other flashery, and
that's a totally unacceptable risk.

Could I have a recommendation for a PowerPC-based SBC that meets these
criteria:

* Must have wired Ethernet, at least one serial interface, and an IDE or
removable flash memory interface. 4Mb flash minimum. Host-side USB would
be nice.
* Flash must be programmable over JTAG with simple wiggler type
interface, ROMmed serial bootloader or other inexpensive kiss-of-life
mechanism. Or it can be socketed; I have a very versatile burner.
* Linux port must be supplied or readily available.

* Video interface - preferably VGA - would be nice but not essential.
* Performance isn't critical; 40-66MHz is enough.
* Ideally sub-US$250

It doesn't have to be a boxed appliance like Kuro, it can be a bare
board requiring external PSU etc. Size, power requirements, and so on
are not important at all.

Although the people who commissioned these articles WILL reimburse the
cost of hardware, they will only do so spread over the course of a
ten-article series. I don't want to be left too much out of pocket if
they decide not to complete the series (and I can't argue contract terms
with them because they are the hairiest 15,000lb gorilla with whom you
never wanted to argue).

Thanks for your erudite recommendations :)

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