NEC Develops Linux Tablet/PDA Hybrid

zmcnulty writes "I've translated today's PC Watch article (Japanese) about a new tablet/PDA device from NEC - it has an 8.4" (640x480) touchscreen LCD, and a CD-ROM drive. It's also suprisingly affordable; about $645 USD. However, don't expect to be able to buy one soon, as production is limited to only 4,000 units for the first year. Still, this is an interesting prospect, and it's good to see major Japanese corporations interested in Linux."

Comments

Handheld Linux

[brolewis]

Being an avid handheld user (T3) I think that Linux on the handheld is a largely untapped medium. I think that the power and flexibility of Linux on something as small and effecient as a handheld is an excellent combinaiton. I also think that the open nature of Linux would work to the handheld's advantage. There are numerous times I wish I could tweak settings or applicaions on my handheld but I am not able to do so. I hope this is the beginning of a long-term shift in the handheld market.

Re:Handheld Linux

[gl4ss]

heheh. yeah especially when 'it runs linux' is not really the answer to everything on handheld systems with environment as limited as the manufacturer has chosen.. the question is: "will the programs of my choosing be able to run on it?" not "does it run linux underneath somewhere where I can't see?"

I dont really care that much about if it runs linux/windowsCe/symbian/palmos as much I care about the ability to compile stuff that will run on it. just because 'it runs linux' doesn't mean it. a machine running linux can be quite effectively(as effectively as it matters) locked up from (unsigned or just from anything at all) 3rd party applications. Something people who are raving about 'it runs linux' phones & etc seem to be often forgetting.

only 640x480?

[ejaw5]

Sure 8.4" diag isn't large, but at least 800x600 would have been nicer. What they have is fine for your command prompt, but I'm sure it's gonna get pretty cramped once you start running Gnome/KDE and GUI apps..even with virtual desktops. Hopefully the included GUI software will have slimed-down/iconified buttons and such.

$645 Affordable?

[puto]

Pardon me Antoine but you need to lay the crack pipe down and get a grip.

I have had top of the line Palms and PPCs with all the fixings and nowhere near paid that much. And these devices have *Loads* of software free and purchased on the market.

I use a Dell Axim supplied by work and am pretty happy with it.

I am daily linux user, have been for years. But 645? There goes the TCO argument.

I can get a laptop for 645. A 4 day trip to mexico.

Puto

I was just thinking

[HappyCitizen]

Whats the point of linux on a pda? I mean, Windows Mobile does it just fine. Its 100% designed for mobile, and even coming from microsoft, I never find it crashing. I was gonna install linux, but I didn't want to risk everything, and it was pointless I realized. Windows Mobile does everything just fine, I know your not used to hearing something good about Microsoft on /., but its true. Now, with a hybrid, it still sounds a little huge for a pda. I think once it gets that big, its really a tablet, in which case linux is a great idea. I think this is a whole new angle from which linux could attack the Mobile market, and in this case be worth it, and its advantages will be shown.

Re:I was just thinking

[UnknowingFool]

I mean, Windows Mobile does it just fine. Its 100% designed for mobile, and even coming from microsoft, I never find it crashing. I was gonna install linux, but I didn't want to risk everything, and it was pointless I realized.

I would think the main reason would be would be cost. Companies either build their own OS (like Palm) or license from another company (Palm, MS, etc) or customize an open source OS like Linux. Cost wise adapting Linux may be cheaper in some cases than licensing. With PDA prices slipping, cutting every cost is important.

For hobbyists,teh reason to install Linux is probably boredom, curiosity, etc. It's the same reason why people overclock or mod their cases.

Re:Tablets

[ToadMan8]

I wouldn't say failed... I am a Gentoo desktop user but I am writing this to you during class from my Compaq tablet running XP Tablet. Ony M$ft bothered getting the buttons, screen rotation and extras working and it does quite well. Just because they didn't replace laptops doesn't make them a failure.

Just buy a laptop

[Gothmolly]

For this price, get a used laptop or iBook off ebay and throw Linux on it. Then you'll get a real display, HD, expandibility, etc. No cramped screen, no expensive wifi cards, just a real system, but one that you can take with you. Like here
650 USD, done.

Re:Just buy a laptop

[zmcnulty]

But would this be simple?
Maybe for you, but for the market of this device, no.
The article explains that there are only 4 icons that appear when the device is powered on, stuff does not need to be double clicked, etc...
It uses England's Picsel Technologies browser, which opens 20 different file formats, right from said application.
Sure, there may have been other devices in the past with the same functionality, and certainly cheaper options are available, but NEC's focus for this device is ease of operation. This is one of the reasons they are marketing it towards municipalities for tourism, it's intended to be usable by anyone.