Simputer: Ultra-cheap Linux laptop
Source: ZDNet
L33tdawg: The article states the price of the device will be about $200 -- although it doesn't say what currency this is in. Even if it's USD200, it's still DAMN cheap for a laptop, and if it's in Singapore dollars (equiv to about USD100), then that's even better news! Now, if only the company would be kind enough to send a review unit over to us, so we can write up an analysis... hmmmmz.
Handheld computers are commonly seen as geek toys for affluent mobile professionals. An Indian group hopes to change that image with the Simputer, a device designed to bring portable computing and the information age to developing countries.
The Simputer Trust, a group of individuals from the Indian Institute of Science, and Encore Software are behind the device. Vinay L. Deshpande, CEO of Encore, said the machine is expected to arrive in the second quarter.
The finished product, which will run the Linux operating system, will be slightly larger than a Palm handheld but will operate as a simple portable computer. It will use 32MB of flash memory and 32MB of RAM.
Other hardware features include a built-in modem, infrared port and USB port for connection with other devices.
