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TechCrunch Thinks About Open Source Tablet

I've just read a /. article about TechCrunch looking into creating their own Tablet PC for $200.  I just thought I'd throw my own 2¢ into the mix.

I've seen a lot of comments in both sites where the spec just seems to be getting bigger and more powerful as time passes, as I like to say "Keep it Simple, STUPID!"

Well lets first start with the design, since that's short and sweet.  The mock-up, is almost perfect, only the camera, microphone & speakers require inclusion, of course it'll never look like that, but one can only dream.

Hardware

• ARM, VIA, Geode or equivalent CPU (400MHz+)
• 7"/9" LED Touch Screen (High Resolution would be ideal eg 1024x600)
• 256-512MB RAM
• 1-2GB SSD
• SD-HC Hidden Slot
• Wi-Fi 802.11b/g
• Bluetooth (It really is a must)
• 0.3-1.3 megapixel video camera
• Microphone (next to camera - it's no good at the back or side)
• Stereo Speakers
• 1-2 usb ports
• Headphone port (Mic port really not needed)
• No physical Keyboard or Mouse (It's a Tablet, ffs)
• Removable Battery? Preferably but it hasn't stopped Apple with iPod and iPhone, plus you have to think about the cost vs design
• Battery life around 3-4 Hrs
• Graphics - as long as you can watch youtube and such, so the least you can get away with

Software

• Ubuntu MID or similar
• Firefox + Flash
• Thunderbird / Web Based
• Abiword (OOXML + PDF Support)
• Gnumeric
• Evince (Simple PDF Viewer)
• µBook like ebook reader - FBReader (Ability to change colour schemes eg High Contrast, green/white text on black background)
• Pidgin for IM
• Skype / Ekiga
• Blogging Software (like dare I say it, Windows Live Writer)
• Tomboy
• Camera Software - Take photos & video
• Vinagre, rdesktop/tsclient (just Vinagre when RDP is supported)

I've probably will have missed lots of other software but you should get the gist of where I'm headed. Also it would be fantastic if something along these lines made it for $200 or less but some might think TechCrunch only posted this to get some more adsense views, but at least it got people talking about the cost Tablet & NetBook PC's.

Base line taken from :
ASUS Eee PC, OLPC XO-1, Elonex ONE, Elonex ONEt

Just a side note, the Elonex ONEt looks pretty cool especially if it's retailing at £100 even my better half might be interested...

one comment:

From : [PamelaRose]
But at £100 that’s just a steal! I do like the pink one!

[PamelaRose] (URL) - 23 07 08 - 22:36

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