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3D Linux Laptop Available
Anonymous Writer writes "EmperorLinux is distributing the Sharp Actius RD3D autostereo laptop with Linux pre-installed, dubbing it the 'Molecule'. Almost all the hardware features can be utilised under Linux; the autostereo 3D display (most importantly), CD-RW/DVD-RW combo drive, Ethernet port, audio hardware, PC Card slot, 4 USB 2.0 ports, FireWire port, Sony Memory Stick slot, Compact Flash slot, SD slot, and internal floppy dive. The only built-in feature unsupported is the internal 56 Kbps modem, however a supported 56 kbps PC Card modem is available as well as a WiFi PC Card."
3-D displays first hand? Care to give a quick honest review?
The Technonaut
Yeah but... does it run Linux? Oh wait...
So who's going to be the first to the market with a 3D-Enhanced porn site?
you know, seeing integrated wifi that works with linux would be a real plus on a laptop like this. Especially if it were a non-centrino wifi card built in.
I have a Gateway 450SX non-centrino, and it runs linux really well. Everything works perfectly (except for the 56K modem, of course), but sadly I don't have internal wireless. My external WaveLAN card works great under any distro though. Rock stable laptop, not terribly expensive and everything runs great under any distro (I've tried Fedora Core 1, Gentoo and Debian).
Since $3,000+ is a bit outside my range (my range being closer my $35 PII Linux box), I naturally checked out the Emperor Linux Jobs Page to see if I could suppliment my income. What a blast from the pre-bust past, mixed with a bit of post-bust reality:
...
Work at EmperorLinux: the most fun you can have with
EmperorLinux is not actively hiring.
However, we are always on the lookout for fun and knowledgeable people who like things Linux. If you like to:
ride your bike to work,
hike in the mountains,
recompile your kernel weekly,
drink Mountain Dew with extra sugar,
play in the dirt with your hands,
make fun and informative web pages,
use the "taste test" when debugging circuits,
run with scissors barefoot in the rain,
or anything similarly off-center,
send us an interesting mail telling us why you think we would like you.
I've done nearly all of those things, if you can substitute "hand-code Z80 machine code" for "recompile your kernel". But I think I'll stick with my boring but very stable job coding VB in the tax accounting business. I'll have time to lick random circuitry when I retire.
Stressed? Me? Of course not. Stress is what a rubber band feels before it breaks, silly.
My laptop is 2D. I hate the way it's so flat. It's horrible to type on because the keys have no travel. It's easy to bend and tear by accident. Sometimes it's really hard to see because when you look at it edge on it has no thickness. It disappears in piles of paper. A 3D laptop would be much better!
Doesn't it make you feel good to know that our freedoms are protected by politicans, lawyers and journalists.
Especially when you consider that it's $2999 w/o Linux.
Reviews with a twist! http://www.sardonicbastard.com
You're right...(from the parts listing):
-- 15.0" Active XGA TFT runs X@1024x768x24bpp w/ NVIDIA GeForce4 graphics.
Hmmm.
You may want to check the link, the screen allows actual stereo images without glasses.
Unless you're waiting for that holographic display...Free Mac Mini Yeah, it's
Gives a whole new meaning to "pop-up" doesn't it?
This space for rent. Call 1-800-STEAK4U
It says 3D because it gives the perception of a 3D display. And yes, you can display 3D images on a flat LCD. It works by using "channels" which divert light to the other side at an angle so your eye percieves it as a different image.
... and if looked at on the other the picture is different yet? Giving you the appearance it was moving if you twitched it? Same concept? Only the light is emitted from the left and hitting the right side. The light emitted from the right is hitting your left side.
You remember those 3D things you got when you were a kid? where you look at it from one side it has an image
Both of your eyes recieve two different images and they are done in sync giving the impression of 3D so you can see depth.
At $3600, it will be something of a luxury laptop and a gizmo, considering the number of Linux users who are in disciplines that deal with 3D imaging. Except, perhaps, game and movie designers I think. Most molecular imaging people that I know use SUN, SGI or HP hardware still. I don't think that stuff like RasMol or Cn3D (for protein structure viewing) currently supports it. Knowing the Linux community, it pobably soon will be. Then, this machine can potentially be a great tool for scientists. You can go and view all of your proteins in 3D which will help immensely with the interpretation of mutations for instance, while avoiding the need for proprietary hardware and OSes. Then we can break free of friggin' MS. You won't believe how many times I cannot fill out a grant application because it's a .exe.. A vital app such as 3d molecular imaging should be a good place to start.
----- One learns to itch where one can scratch.
. . . is explained here.
Now I can understand being too lazy to read the article, but the relevant information was actually in the story submission.
You, sir, win THE PRIZE.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
I too go why 3D for that much money, but then again look at the benefits to the Linux community.
--Linux has been getting mainstream press thanks to SCO, and all the Window viruses; people have heard of it.
--Now you're in come public place with your nice ~$4000 laptop and someone sees the cool 3D effect (hopefully non-porn related).
"Cool, I wish my laptop could do that" (even though the person doesn't know why they wish their lappy could do it) "What version of Windows is that?"
"It's not Windows, it's Linux"
It may just be a small attention getter, but a lot of small attention getters can add up to a big boost of Linux awareness among the [general] public.
"Look Lois, the two symbols of the Republican Party: an elephant, and a fat white guy who is threatened by change."
2D, 3D, man that's so yesterday?
My laptop (supplemented with my flux capacitor powered N-Vidia card) has 4 dimensions. Thanks to this wonderful feature I can see it Crashing while it's booting up.
The Neo-Bohemian Techno-Socialist
I wish people would quit throwing that word around until we have a true 3D display.
Absolutely. I can't wait to have a laptop that can project an animated 3D holographic shark that jumps out whenever I view a movie trailer.
Vintage computer adverts: http://www.vintageadbrowser.com/computers-and-software-ads
Near as I can tell, it's just the 56K software modem that doesn't work.
The added value comes in the various tweaks they've made to their Linux OS. It also looks like you have to be a customer to get a copy of it, so you can't cheap out and buy a laptop for half the price of theirs.
Is it worth the extra 600 bucks? I think if I were going to pay 3 grand for a laptop, I might consider it. Linux can be difficult to get to work correctly on laptops, but $600 is nothing to sniff at.
No matter how many of my rights are taken away, somehow I still don't feel safe. -Frigid Monkey
I read about this technology when it was launched in Japan, but I have concerns about the viewing angle that allows to watch the screen in real 3D. In fact this technology is based on the same as the small cards made of plastic and paper, that allow you to see a kind of animated 3D caracters. And here, even with explanations on sharp site, I would say that there should be some problems when you are not exactly in front of your screen... If someone has got an answer about this accuracy. Moreover, this technology is not used for professional 3D computer visualization.
Keep in mind that Emperor Linux purchases name-brand laptops with windows and removes the windows. You're paying for windows you're not using . For a list of companies that sell linux laptops and do not do this check here. -- Bob
1^2=1; (-1)^2=1; 1^2=(-1)^2; 1=-1; 1=0.
what about Quake?
For anyone who's buying from them, stay away from the accessories. Mice are universal, PS/2 or USB. Laptop hard drives are universal, and the only thing you might need to worry about is height (9.5mm or smaller?). Laptop memory may not be completely universal, but it's pretty easy to find compatible stuff. All or virtually all external USB storage devices are compatible with Linux.
I used up all my sick days, so I'm calling in dead.
First, I am confused. GI Joes came with two different varieties of flashy things that you might be referring to:
1) Polarized plastic with an two images drawn in alternating lines behind it, so that when tilted, animation is viewed. I believe the action figure Crystal Ball used one of these as a weapon. These are not 3d.
2) Actual holographs printed on the stickers that came with vehicles, etc. These are 3d, in the sense that you can, to a degree limited by perspective, see behind objects depicted in these holographs; there is actual depth.
I am reminded of the scene in The Little Prince where the character from outer space looks at a drawing of a box and states that it is a picture of a sheep. When the narrator corrects him, the alien says, "Well, there's a sheep sleeping in the box."
Probably mangled the quote, but you get the drift. Holograms allow you to see their contents from many perspectives within 3d space. And as long as that definitition is met, then they qualify as 3d.
Even if the viewing medium is 2d.
We don't HAVE to uninstall Windows. Customers who want to dual boot are more than welcome to. Customers who only want Linux can have that, but are advised that they will still have a Windows license. Simply put, at our volumes it is impossible to get machines from a big-name vendor without Windows. Hell, at most people's volumes this is impossible. Microsoft has very strong contracts with laptop suppliers.
But like I said, customers who want Linux only are advised they will still be paying for Windows because we have to. Almost none of them care, because they understand the situation.
I'm selling my old 2D laptop to buy a new 3D laptop.
Here's the pictures:
Front view, chassis closed:
_________________
Side view, chassis closed:
_________
Anyone interested?
\m/