Pen-Based Linux Computing?

geekindustries asks: "Looking around auction sites I have seen a fair amount of old pen-based computers for really cheap. These machines usually run a pen-based version of DOS, Windows 3.1, or Windows 95a. However, I feel that these machines would be much better off running Linux as opposed to a bulky Microsoft OS. Has anyone heard of pen-based Linux solutions and how to get them working on old hardware?" Larger than a PDA, but smaller than a laptop, these resemble webpads or Star Trek like PADDs. They've been around for a while, but hasn't quite broken into the consumer market, yet. Which pen-based platforms, old and new, work best with Linux?

Comments

Examples?

[Rick the Red]

A search of eBay for "pen-based computer" turns up nothing. Care to specify the exact make and model you're looking at? (also, how much are they going for?)

Need more input (with apologies to Johnny 5)

[ninewands]

If you mean something on the lines of the IBM 730T I found when I searched ebay I don't see any reason why not. I appears to run Win95 which indicates that it's at least a 386 processor. It uses a Cirrus graphics chip, so getting X to work on the thing might be dicey. My advice would be to do your own research before spending any money unless you make writing device drivers your hobby.

As for anything older than the 730T, I think your probably going to run into problems like sub-32 bit processors that will stop you.