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They are a linux only vendor and were favorably reviewed. They've been featured on slasdot a couple of times.

What you want is out there, your just not going to get it from the Dell+Gateway+HP+Apple world.......and why should you? They're not linux vendors. Remember a purchase from them increases demand for a Windows/Apple operating system, a purchase from a linux retailer increases support for Linux OS....no matter what you choose to install afterwards. :)

Lycoris does have a tablet-linux operating system. And Helium Computers released a $999 tablet computer that was running lycoris. However, the tablet-for-linux is hardly comparable to its MS counterpart. Apparently there isn't even a hand-writing recognition system in place yet. It also seems that Helium has silently discontinued it since I can't find it on their website.

[...] if i'm carrying around something the size of a laptop i'm going to want a keyboard to type.

They have got keyboards. At least, the $999 one mentioned in the FA does. You can use it like a regular laptop when you need a keyboard.

Ummmm...check the link to the $999 Tablet PC. at the end of the writeup.

Isn't Lycoris Linux? Okay, maybe it's no Gentoo, but I'm sure it could do the job just fine. =P

OK, I fibbed. It's a Linux notebook.

Summary: Very small portable computer with a regular keyboard. The base system is built on a name-brand hardware (Sharp) with a customized Linux distribution on it. The customizations take care of the specific hardware; just like Dell, IBM, Compaq/HP, Sony, and -- well -- Sharp do for the customized versions of Windows they ship. Includes support, and yes you can update the packages -- just don't expect support for packages they don't provide.

The company selling this one has other name-brand hardware that fit other categories of notebook/laptops.

Element computer also has a good selection of hardware customized for Linux. Not rebranded IBM/Sony/Sharp/... though you can get a notepad laptop of you want -- ready to go -- and it looks like good stuff. They do not sell Windows, so you won't be paying Microsoft like Emperorlinux had to (using top-notch hardware with Windows already bundled on it).

Check these guys out:

Element Computer

They sell computers/tablets that natively come with linux only. So you never puchase the windows tax.

Not only that, but currently they're openly adopting Debian has their main distro (this must bode well with the Debian bigots, heh)

Sounds like solid Linux stuff to me

Sunny Dubey

Lycoris has been doing a lot of interesting things lately, from putting their OS on tablets, to this. Sounds like they have a lot of fun with all this Linux stuff. I guess that goes to show the power of openness, huh?

That system seems to be only $999 when I look at it. Maybe they saw a Apple cookie on your hard drive and jacked up the price since you were used to paying it.

Plutonium 1000
- Harddrive Upgrade to 60GB
- Internal Optical Combo CDRW/DVD
- Memory 512MB
- Model 17" LCD
- Processor Upg. to 2.66 Ghz P4m
- Software ProductivityPak,GamePak,SolitaireAce
- Wireless None
$1,938

iMac 17"
512MB DDR333 - 2 DIMMs
80GB Ultra ATA drive
Keyboard/Mac OS X - U.S. English
17-inch flat panel LCD
1.25GHz PowerPC G4
4x SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra
Apple Keyboard
Apple Mouse
Apple Pro Speakers
$1,899.00

iMac is cheaper, has a dedicated graphics card, a professionally supported UNIX OS, a better processor for any sort of media, better built-in software, a 4x DVD-R, and 20GB more HD space, not to mention the better design and compatibility with all sorts of other devices. Plus options for internal bluetooth, etc.

And people say Macs are expensive?

They're not exactly Dell (referring to the size, not the quality), but Element Computer has a strict no-Microsoft policy to avoid paying expensive licensing fees to Microsoft. All the computers they sell run Lycoris Desktop/LX (a Linux distribution). They've got some pretty nice computers for the price... now if only I wasn't so cheap...

here

Also, here is the text from Lycoris' newsletter that was sent out this morning:

Lycoris Fans, Happy Holidays from the hard-working group here at Lycoris. Today marks a great day in the history of the Tablet PC platform. Our new partner, Element Computer is now selling the world's first $999 Tablet/Laptop convertible PC. The Helium 2100 is powered by Desktop/LX Tablet Edition and runs at 1Ghz with 256 MB RAM and a 30GB HD. The screen swivels to become a laptop and a tablet in the blink of an eye. This new Lycoris-only OEM is committed to bringing Lycoris users a top-quality experience similar to what you would expect from a Windows-only OEM. Element Computer has a "No Windows" policy that frees you up from ever having to pay for software from Microsoft pre-installed from the factory. You can read their pre-release here: http://www.elementcomputer.com/999tablet.pdf. This is not a promotional price. The $999 Tablet allows both Lycoris and the OEM to make money and be profitable, while still bringing this wonderful hardware to market at an amazing price. As always, Lycoris is glad to push the envelope and bring technologies that were previously thought of as out-of-reach into the homes, businesses and schools of average people. From all of us here at Lycoris, have a peaceful and pleasant holiday season.

If you look at this picture: Element Helium then at this one: powernotebooks Sager NP2880 they're a good match. Look at the three buttons across the front on both, along with other little things like the sliver that sticks up to latch the screen corners that is visible when it swivels.

Anyway, they look the same to me, and if it is true, then here are the specs from powernotebooks.com

VIA(TM) Antaur 1GHz Processor
Windows XP Home or Professional w/ ritePen and riteMail
1.25" thick
5.5 lb.
14.1" XGA (1024 x 768) Active Matrix TFT "Touch Panel" LCD Display - VIA CLE266 8X AGP 3D Video Card w/32MB max. user definable (Share Memory Architecture) Video Memory
Data entry by "Touch Panel" Display or Keyboard

256MB PC2100 DDR Memory built-in
(Expandable to 1024 MB)
20GB - 80GB Ultra ATA/100 Hard Drive
Integrated Web Cam
4-in-1 Memory Card Reader Supports SD/MMC/SmartMedia/Sony MemoryStick
Built-in 56k V.90 Modem (RJ-11)
Built-in 802.11b Wireless Networking (Optional)
Built-in 10/100BaseT Ethernet (RJ-45)
No floppy or CD/DVD optical drive built-in
External USB 2.0 24X CD, 8X DVD, Combo 8X DVD/24x10x24 CD-RW, or 2X DVD-R/RW-16x10x24 CD-RW (Optional)
Two USB 2.0 ports

It says 2 hours of battery time. Ick.