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http://www.alwaysinnovating.com/products/smartbook.htm

Take a look at the Smartbook by Always Innovating: http://www.alwaysinnovating.com/products/smartbook.htm
It can run Ubuntu, Google Chrome or Android.

Here's the thread on debian-arm: http://lists.debian.org/debian-arm/2011/12/msg00008.html and the corresponding one on arm-netbook: http://lists.phcomp.co.uk/pipermail/arm-netbook/2011-December/thread.html

The problem that's been made clear time and time again is that if you want low-cost mass-produced hardware, you normally have to go with GPL-violating products (see list here http://www.codon.org.uk/~mjg59/android_tablets/) and that means that you will spend the majority of your time reverse-engineering the product for anything between two weeks and two years, depending on luck and skill, before getting something useful. By the time you're done, the product is usually end-of-lifed: thus if it breaks, you're back to square one.

The reason for the GPL violations is that the low-cost China-based Factories simply have zero software skills: they're provided with binary-only firmware from an ODM who themselves usually had to sign an NDA from the SoC manufacturer, itself in direct violation of the GPL, in order to get access to the source code. Normally there's a chain of at least *five* companies with whom you have to negotiate with for several days or weeks - each - in order to explain the situation to them, against a precarious balance of them basically not giving a stuff because there's no financial incentive for them to give you anything at all: they're already making money, selling product, so why should they care?

thus, we logically concluded that the only way to get non-GPL-violating product out there is to go directly to the factories and be the supplier of their software.

so for the past two years i've been contacting and vetting China-based factories, directly, to find at least one which is prepared to work with us (RH Technology - http://www.rh-technology.com./ the basis of the deal is, "we won't charge you for software expertise if you won't charge us for hardware design costs", and after two years we finally found _one_ factory willing to do a deal, and are looking for more.

we've also found an absolutely great CPU, called the Allwinner A10, which in mass-volume quantities is only about $7: that means that a PCB similar to the raspberrypi with similar features can be made for about $15 (not $25) and, because the Allwinner CPU is an ARM Cortex A8 not an ARM11 it is at least three times quicker than the raspberrypi's CPU.

now we have at least 15 Debian Developers who are willing to support the project by buying beta hardware samples, and we're looking for more people to help support this effort, by committing to buy product (just like with the OpenPandora http://openpandora.org./ we have set up a CIC (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_interest_company) because it's a better vehicle than a non-profit, charity or profit-maximising company. the CIC is called Rhombus Tech - http://rhombus-tech.net./

we also have the full support of the Board of Directors of the Allwinner CPU: they released full source code to us in advance. we've made it available and found it to compile successfully.

in-advance GPL-compliant hardware really is very very unusual. even USA-based companies typically release GPL source code on or after the day that a product is announced. Archos for example made a tablet that used the Telechips TCC8900 series of CPUs, and complied with the GPL (in direct violation of the standard NDA available at the time from the SoC manufacturer!).

other than that: about the only existing product on the market that i can really recommend to you is the alwaysinnovating touchbook: http://alwaysinnovating.com/ - it's about $300.

What about the Always Innovating Smartbook? It's 8.9 inches, but it comes with root access by default, and it runs both ubuntu and android.
http://alwaysinnovating.com/products/smartbook.htm

The only downside is that I don't know how long it'll be from when you put in your order to when you get it. The upside is that if you spring for it, you get a device that can be a pocket computer, a tablet, and a laptop.

They still offer the Touchbook for sale. And there's even a second generation. But for my money, the Acer Iconia 6120 is seriously cool.

I guess a screen, a case and some other peripherals will make it more expensive.

Maybe just a little lower than any ARM/BeagleBoard device.

For example this is US $200 and during this summer US $150:
https://www.alwaysinnovating.com/touchbook/ (detable keyboard/touchscreen/2 batteries)

(no this is not an ad, I don't even own such a device, just trying to make a point about the price)

these guys sell interesting labotps here

Reminds me of this device https://www.alwaysinnovating.com/products/smartbook.htm.

From the end of the article: "You get an Android tablet. And an Android laptop. And that's something nobody but ASUS can yet offer." Hmmm. I remember reading about Always Innovating's Touch Book about 1-2 years ago, with characteristics similar to this tablet/laptop. And they have a new one called Smart Book, that have two tablets plus keyboard in one, with support for Android, ChromeOS, Ubuntu and their own Linux variant. I just checked their site, and surprise, surprise, they caught ASUS's "invention" too... http://www.alwaysinnovating.com/home/index.htm

> How long until we're seeing a "computer" for sale from a major
> manufacturer which is fully componentized for modular use?

As mentioned in another comment, Always Innovating already offer modular
components in their Smart Book. http://alwaysinnovating.com/
I guess they may not be a "major manufacturer".

Always Innovating Smart Book already had detachable keyboard.
http://alwaysinnovating.com/

If you're looking for some kind of hybrid that can both fit in your pocket and be used with a real keyboard and screen and run desktop programs, you might be interested in the SmartBook. Unfortunately it doesn't have a phone feature, but it looks like a really great product...

No, it can't. But it can replace your netbook or maybe a low powered notebook.

And some companies like "Always Innovating" are already planning this : Smart Book - MID docking into a tablet docking into a netbook.

As other company like in todays article start doing it, it proves that the concept is gaining mindshare.

No, it can't. But it can replace your netbook or maybe a low powered notebook.

And some companies like "Always Innovating" are already planning this : Smart Book - MID docking into a tablet docking into a netbook.

As other company like in todays article start doing it, it proves that the concept is gaining mindshare.

How about something more original, like docking into a tablet?

Here you go: https://www.alwaysinnovating.com/products/smartbook.htm

It's a modular netbook, tablet, mobile internet device (like a phone, but without phone capabilities, ie. no 3G, only wifi).' Runs Android and ubuntu and other OS:es.

It only has a previous generation (cortex-A8) processor, though...

When you said good tablets I was think something like this.

It's not missing...

It's already here. It's just that you can't buy it storefront right at the moment.

The "Smartbook" from Allways Innovating is similar. The computing power (a (measly) ARM cortex-A8) and storage is in the phone sized "mobile internet device" (no gsm/3g). It plugs into a larger touchscreen to make a tablet, which plugs into the keyboard with extra battery to make a netbook.

https://www.alwaysinnovating.com/products/smartbook.htm

http://www.alwaysinnovating.com/home/index.htm
-netbook with a detachable/optional keyboard
-touchscreen
-$300 (for screen only)
-9" screen (not 10, but closer than 7)
-multi-boots Ubuntu and Android

Oh, and it's been around for a few years now to boot - what you're looking at is the 2nd version. When it first came out it was the first touchscreen netbook with a detachable keyboard.

Sharp introduced an Ubuntu tablet 6 months ago, as part of their `Netwalker' line.

I think Always Innovating was supporting Ubuntu on their tablets before that.

Maybe there are others, also; still, each new one is nice to see.

A Smart Book ?

Try this one: http://www.alwaysinnovating.com/home/index.htm
ARM, completely open, choice of several OSs out of the box, and it weighs 3 lbs
Not sure what you mean by flash based though.

I'll admit that their photoshopping skills aren't as good as Apple, but I think all the product videos are a bit more useful. Also if they haven't started shipping I wonder how it was disassembled during this review

I'll admit that their photoshopping skills aren't as good as Apple, but I think all the product videos are a bit more useful. Also if they haven't started shipping I wonder how it was disassembled during this review

I'll admit that their photoshopping skills aren't as good as Apple, but I think all the product videos are a bit more useful. Also if they haven't started shipping I wonder how it was disassembled during this review

I'll admit that their photoshopping skills aren't as good as Apple, but I think all the product videos are a bit more useful. Also if they haven't started shipping I wonder how it was disassembled during this review

You mean like this one that originally started shipping August 2009

Wow, you got me. that is a truly compelling example you've produced. A site that doesn't have photos of any product, just poor quality icons, vague descriptions, and no promise of ever shipping.

That totally blows the doors off the iPad!

You mean like this one that originally started shipping August 2009

The AI SmartBook is similar, except it's ARM (so 3x the battery life) and instead of being easily disassembled, the design goal was to be completely open. It ships with Android, Ubuntu and a custom built OS.

This one was available over a year ago, and a new model has just been released: http://www.alwaysinnovating.com/home/index.htm

Or you could look at the guys that did it first: http://www.alwaysinnovating.com/home/index.htm

So, a tablet with a wireless "base" that has a DVD drive, keyboard, and touchpad, and which the tablet snaps into to protect the screen when not in use, seems the logical way to go. The main point is co-locate the screen and processor so you don't have the video signal sent through the hinge.

Check out the Always Innovating Touchbook to see what your idea looks like in practice. It has its own issues, mainly that the weight distribution is very unlike that of a laptop, producing a top heavy device which tends to fall over if opened at a nice reading angle. Yes, they've mitigated the problem it by modifying the base, and eventually we might see lighter circuitry (or heavier batteries) remove the issue.

It is a shame that they seem to be mismanaging their opportunity away. They've ran into issues that leave Feb. orders unfilled today. They've also stated that they will not produce more product due to the commitments in developing their "new" version.

Secondly, an "open" platform allows more things to be done with it. Say some company is willing to sell me a netbook with a detachable keyboard (or a tablet with a clip-on keyboard that swivels), I would be more inclined to purchase that over a traditional netbook

What, like this one? http://www.alwaysinnovating.com/touchbook/

As a FOSS geek I'm not interested in apple and have identified a bunch of really nice looking alternatives to the iPad. It's just a shame none of them seem to quite make it to market!

Eh, there were several `iPad alternatives' on the market before the iPad even existed.

Archos was selling their Android tablets 7 months before the iPad, and Archos first published an `actual Linux' firmware (using OpenEmbedded) and started contributing to upstream some 4 months before the iPad hit the market.

AlwaysInnovating started selling Touchbook beta units a month before Archos introduced their tablets--8 months before the iPad came to market.

And there were/are numerous others, too. I'm not sure whether it makes sense to compare the Nokia N-series tablets, since they're smaller, but they've been on the market for *years*, and they're not the end of the list.

Of course, that's not even counting the `iPad alternatives' that came to market *after* the iPad.

I'm having trouble understanding your "shame none of them seem to quite make it to market" comment--and even more trouble making sense out of others' comments to the effect of `if only there were any other tablet computers other than the iPad'....

Here's one from the article: http://www.notionink.in/
And here's my personal favourite: http://alwaysinnovating.com/
Adam has Qi and Tegra, Touchbook II's specs are unknown at this point but can be safely assumed to be better than the old version. The Touchbook should be out in about a month, and you can install Ubuntu on either, AFAIK.

Take a look at this: http://www.alwaysinnovating.com/home/index.htm
ARM based, wall mountable, runs Linux, completely open hardware. Only downside is that the new version won't be available for another month or so, and the old ones aren't available right now.

How about the one that launched before the iPad? AlwaysInnovating Touchbook, anyone?

Alas, it's not available right now -- they stopped production (and quickly sold out) while developing the (unannounced) next model due sometime this summer. I'm greatly looking forward to it...

Seconded. And here's a link for the OP: http://www.alwaysinnovating.com/
Also, I've heard that the new release is due out next month. Hopefully it'll be worth the wait.

Consider this one It's https://www.alwaysinnovating.com/store/home.php, os freedom for 60% the price.

Meh, a tablet that was just a laptop without a hinge and with an on-screen keyboard that can be minimised when not in use would suit me. Especially if it had plenty of usb, sd and micro-sd slots.And wirelessness.

And if it ran gnu/linux.

Here you go, and with ARM for good measure.
The current specs are actually outdated, a new model is due out this month.

ARM has been in laptops previously:
http://www.alwaysinnovating.com/home/index.htm (btw, this came out last year)

Seems to work fine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Snlp1yTmeyM&feature=related

This for $400 (or $300 without the keyboard) seems to fit the bill.

I for one would love to have a full-size passively cooled laptop with low-energy processor and screen.

Not sure about passively cooled, but take a look at this: http://www.alwaysinnovating.com/ (very detailed specs available on site)

not running a real OS (as in full Windows, Linux or OS X)

From the first link:

It runs a browser based OS running on embedded Linux that sounds almost like Chrome OS in some ways.

Personally, I'm liking the look of the Always Innovating Touch Book. It's much more open, in both the hardware and software. On the downside, that means it's not as polished and ready for mainstream use as the other netbooks/smartbooks.

Now, I'll wait for Linux tablets.

You might be interested in these guys. Check out the videos section.

Look at the Touchbook as it's a Debian Linux based Tablet. Might be exactly what you're looking for.

I want a tablet running {...} even a full Linux distro {...} I'll pay in the $500-$600 price range for a tablet in the 10"-14" range

Then get a Touch Book. Has more or less everything you need (minus perhaps a good support for Flash, due to adobe not releasing support for ARM-based CPUs).

And technically WebOS is Linux at its core, with "dev-mode" (i.e.: installing software from things other than the official application store) available out-of-the-box, and a bunch of various Linux stuff already compiled from Optware. The only limitations are its non standart graphic interface: it's Web-based instead of X-based (but still has SDL support if you want full screen games and the like).
Also doesn't feature a decent note-taking application (unlike the PalmOS), only a post-it application.

The WePad looks good but I like the Touchbook http://alwaysinnovating.com/home/
The Touchbook runs Linux, with Open Source, Open Hardware and Open Community. The only problem is it could take them 2 months to deliver the touchbook.

Where is the 150, 500g ARM netbook with an optimized OS running 12 hours without recharge???

I think this comes pretty close, and this is also quite interesting. Neither is close to 500 g, but at least you can buy one right now.

This is actually very dangerous for Linux's marketshare in the netbook segment. If MS starts porting Windows to ARM, then it won't be long before they have desktop and netbook editions of it ported as well, which could neutralize Linux's killer feature (on netbooks) of supporting ARM. I know the argument is that there are other x86 apps that won't run, but on a netbook I doubt most people will need much more than Windows+Office+IE.
Best counter strategy would be to try and increase the Linux+ARM netbook marketshare right now, to get a head start.
On another note, does anyone know of any ARM netbooks with 512+ MB of RAM? So far the only one I've found is this one.