kripkenstein
November 10th, 2007, 10:41 AM
Aside from the OLPC, the Intel Classmate PC and the Asus Eee, it looks like there is another project to make a small, cheap and usable Linux laptop: InkMedia (http://www.ink-media.com/Ink-Computer.html). I just heard about this one today, can't find any posts about it (must be new?)
This one should cost 'significantly less than $300', and seems to be aimed at around the same people as the Asus Eee - mobile internet stuff, light word processing, etc. The catch with the InkMedia though is that it doesn't have a hard drive, not even Flash! It has the OS and apps in read-only flash. To save documents you simply attach a USB drive, etc.
It is an interesting idea. No writable HD means no chance to corrupt the OS (by mistake or by a virus), but also means no upgrades to your apps - not even security updates. Weird. But as an 'appliance' just to browse the web, it might be useful. At least if the price is cheap enough.
No word on when it will be out, but the website seems to imply very soon. Also no specifics on what Linux is installed or what apps. It does say all of it will be free and open source.
This one should cost 'significantly less than $300', and seems to be aimed at around the same people as the Asus Eee - mobile internet stuff, light word processing, etc. The catch with the InkMedia though is that it doesn't have a hard drive, not even Flash! It has the OS and apps in read-only flash. To save documents you simply attach a USB drive, etc.
It is an interesting idea. No writable HD means no chance to corrupt the OS (by mistake or by a virus), but also means no upgrades to your apps - not even security updates. Weird. But as an 'appliance' just to browse the web, it might be useful. At least if the price is cheap enough.
No word on when it will be out, but the website seems to imply very soon. Also no specifics on what Linux is installed or what apps. It does say all of it will be free and open source.