Sharp intros 5in ARM-based netbook
Ubuntu Linux on board
Asus may not be so keen on ARM-based netbooks, but Sharp certainly is. Today, it launched the PC-Z1 Netwalker, a weeny netbook based around a 5in display and Ubuntu Linux and an ARM Cortex A8-derived CPU.
Sharp's PC-Z1 Netwalker: 5in netbook
Smaller than your average netbook, the PC-Z1 measures 161.4 x 108.7 x 19.7-24.8mm and weighs 409g. The size is defined by the keyboard rather tha the 1024 x 600 display, but the keys are still dinky, with a 14mm pitch.
The screen is touch-sensitive - the unit comes with its own stylus - and there's an optical pick-up that works like a trackpad.
An optical trackpad complements the touch-sensitive screen
The operating system has been tweaked by Sharp from Ubuntu 9.0.4 for ARM - the processor is a Freescale i.MX51, presumably running at the stock frequency of 800MHz. There's 512MB of memory built in and 4GB of Flash, 2GB of which is free for the user's data. You can add more through the Micro SDHC card slot.
Connectivity is limited to 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, a regular-sized USB 2.0 port and a mini USB port.
The OS is a modified version of Ubuntu
Bundled apps include Firefox, Thunderbird, OpenOffice, Adobe Flash Lite and other Ubuntu-sourced utilites.
Sharp claimed the PC-Z1's battery is good for ten hours' runtime.
There's the inevitable choice of colours
White and black versions of the PC-Z1 went on sale in Japan this week. A red version is due in October. There's no word yet on international availability. ®
COMMENTS
Minor tweaks
I would love to get this, but it *must* be able to play my Laserdisc collection.
Like many of the people posting on here, I also have a couple of other requests:
- The screen got bigger, with higher res.
- More memory - 64GB would be nice
- It halved in size
- Built in Bluetooth, WiFi, 3G, GPS, optical audio output and SCART
- Bundled unlimited 3G data contract
- Webcam - perhaps one of those 3D ones
Oh... the price would need to drop below a tenner
I know a few naysayers will say I'm being demanding, but my old Psion 3 managed all that.
So... come on Samsung - back to the drawing board!
Might just buy it!
The sub-500g sector is getting more interesting!
I was thinking of getting Sony's 500g Vaio, but the Sharp is a third of the price and might just do the job!
Psion 5 replacement
I still use my Psion 5, even though I'd kill for WiFi, colour screen, USB etc....
BUT
It's the software that keeps me using it - the diary, phone manager, a task manager I have, plus a few other programs that just don't have an equal on any other machine I've owned.
Oh, and the 20hr+ battery life off a pair of AA batteries takes some beating.
handwriting
Given that its for the japanese market and theres a touch screen, surely there must be some sort of hand writing recognition. Which might mean it does english too
Ho crap crap crap crap
Just when I gave up the long wait for exactly that and bought an EEEPC 900 instead. I guess I'll have a couple month to hype up the Asus to my sister or SO so that I can give it to them and buy this lil beauty!
Too bad it's Ubuntu though. There goes 1G of otherwise much valuable Flash memory...
