Freescale Smartbook & Netbook Design Concepts

[Timoleon]

Looks like Freescale is shaking the lead out and coming up with some interesting motifs in small factor display devices. From Engadget:

"Does the world really, truly need another netbook? How about even a single one of these so-called smartbooks? Freescale's hoping the answer to both of those questions is "absolutely, yes," as it took the opportunity at Computex to showcase a half-dozen netbook and smartbook design concepts. Granted, there's better than a fair chance that all of the models you see below won't ever leave the render stage, but if they do, they'll obviously be based on one of Freescale's chips. We can't say we're mesmerized by any of 'em, but we're curious if you feel any different -- would you drop coin on any of these machines?"

www.engadget.com

[zelda_pinwheel]

hm, i like the modular "build you own" concept !

here's the direct link to the article :
http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/07/f...oncepts-waits/

[Ankh]

Originally Posted by Timoleon

We can't say we're mesmerized by any of 'em, but we're curious if you feel any different -- would you drop coin on any of these machines?"

Well, since it is non-x86 box, and in descending order if importance, if :
- screen is one of Pixel Qi new babies, and of sufficient resolution to deal with letter-sized PDF's
- battery operated time when performing simple tasks (reading) is, at least, 8-10 hours
- the gadget is open platform (HW schematics and details either free download or readily available to the OSS community)
- the price is right (sub $300)
- access to battery (packs) easy, they are made to be replaced by the end-user
- two SD (or equivalent) slots, 256MB+ RAM on board, headphone jack, a couple of USB 2.0 ports (I don't care about built-in WiFi) ...
- there is some form of Linux (sources available) running on the machine by the time of the launch

... then yes, I would buy it.