Linux + UMPC = Smokin' Hot

Ultra-Mobile Personal Computers (UMPC) are so hot right now that major PC manufacturers are competing to create the lightest, fastest and sexiest-looking portable machines imaginable. Most of these emerging sub-notebooks are pre-installed with Linux, and I wasn't surprised.

Although consumers are still living in Windows world, computer makers now value Linux more than ever. It's really a huge gamble, but I think it's paying off. Mainstream consumers just don't care any longer even if most of these UMPCs come with Windows as an option. As long as they can surf the web, create documents, and write emails they are at peace with Linux.

I have here a list of some UMPCs that are already making waves. This might as well serve as a guide to those who are planning to buy one because I have also provided some important technical specifications on each one of them. So now, take your pick from these Linux-powered smokin' hot ultra-portable computers:

• Elonex ONE

Technical Specifications:

Processor: LNX Code 8 Mobile 300MHz Processor;
Memory: Dedicated Linux Memory 128Mb DDR-II SD RAM (256Mb in upgraded model);
Internal Storage: On-board 1Gb Flash Memory, optimised for Linux (2Gb in upgraded model);
Battery: Integrated 3 cell Battery;
Operating System: Linos 2.6.21;
Display: 7" High Resolution TFT LCD display; 800 x 480pix Widescreen;
Dimensions: 22 x 15 x 3 cm (W x L x H);
Weight: 0.95 kg;
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11b/g (Wireless) (54Mbps);
Bluetooth;
Ethernet (Wired) (10/100Mbps);
2 USB 2.0 ports;

More details HERE.

• HP 2133 Mini-Note PC

Technical Specifications:

Processor: VIA C7(tm)-M processor (1.6 GHz, 800 MHz FSB);
Video/graphics: VIA Chrome 9, 128MB shared system memory;
Memory: 2048MB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (1 DIMM);
Internal Storage: 120GB/160GB 5400 rpm SATA, or 64GB Solid State Drive;
Integrated camera: VGA camera included;
Battery: 6 cell Li-Ion battery;
Operating System: SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10;
Display: 8.9" inch (diagonal) WXGA LCD with CCFL backlight;
Dimensions: 255 x 165 x 27 mm (10.04 x 6.5 x 1.05 in);
Weight: 1.27 kg (2.8 lb);
Connectivity: WLAN 802.11a/b/g;
Ethernet 10/100/1000 Mbit/s;
Bluetooth 2.0;
2x USB 2.0;
SD Card reader, Expresscard 54 slot;

More details HERE.

• CloudBook

Technical Specifications:

Processor: 433MHz AMD Geode;
Video/graphics: Integrated with Geode CPU; unified memory architecture;
Memory: 256 MiB dynamic RAM;
Internal Storage: 1024 MiB SLC NAND flash, high-speed flash controller;
Integrated camera: integrated color vision camera; 640_480 resolution at 30FPS;
Battery: # 2 or 4 cells LiFePO4; or 5 cells NiMH, approximately 6V series configuration;
Operating System: Ubuntu, GNOME, AWN-based gOS "V2 Rocket";
Display: 18 cm (7_) WVGA TFT (800_480);
Dimensions: 23_17_3 cm;
Weight: 0.91 kg;
Connectivity: WLAN 802.11b/g;
Ethernet 100 Mbit/s;
DVI-I;
two USB 2.0 ports;
Card reader (SD, MMC, MS (PRO));

More details HERE.

• Pepper Pad

Technical Specifications:

Processor: AMD Geode CPU, 533MHz with MMX and 3DNow extensions;
Memory: 256MB DDR SDRAM (DDR-333 SO-DIMM);
Internal Storage: Hitachi TravelStar 20GB 1.8" IDE disk drive;
Integrated camera: 640x480 digital camera, fixed focus;
Battery: 3800mAh Lithium-Ion battery;
Operating System: Linux;
Display: 800x480 7 inch LCD touchscreen;
Dimensions: 29cm x 14.9cm x 2.3cm (11.4" x 5.9" x 0.9");
Weight: 2.1 pounds (985g);
Connectivity: Atheros AR2413A-based mini-PCI 802.11b/g WiFi interface;
USB 2.0 port;
Bluetooth 2.0;
SD/MMC Flash memory slot;
IrDA and TvIR emitters/receivers;

More details HERE.

• ASUS Eee PC

Technical Specifications:

Processor: 900 MHz (factory underclocked to 630 MHz) Intel Celeron-M ULV 353;
Video/graphics: Intel UMA;
Memory: 512 MB/512 MB/1 GB DDR2 SDRAM RAM;
Internal Storage: 2/4/8/12/20 GB SSD;
Integrated camera: 0.3 megapixel video camera;
Battery: 4 cell 4400 (700 series, surf models and 900 series) or 5200 (700 series, non-surf models) mAh battery;
Operating System: Linux Xandros;
Display: 7 inch (diagonal) TFT LCD with LED backlight 800_480 pixels,
or 8.9 inch LCD (1024x600) in 900 series;
Dimensions: 225 _ 165 _ 21~35 mm (8.9 _ 6.5 _ 0.9~1.4 in)
900 series- 225 x 170 x 20~34;
Weight: 895 g (1 lb 151/2 oz)
900 series- 990 g (2 lb 3 oz);
Connectivity: 10/100 Mbit Ethernet;
802.11b/g wireless LAN;
3 USB 2.0 ports;
MMC/SD card reader;

More details HERE.

• One Laptop per Child (OLPC)

Technical Specifications:

Processor: VIA C7(tm)-M processor (1.6 GHz, 800 MHz FSB);
Video/graphics: VIA Chrome 9, 128MB shared system memory;
Memory: 2048MB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (1 DIMM);
Internal Storage: 120GB/160GB 5400 rpm SATA, or 64GB Solid State Drive;
Integrated camera: VGA camera included;
Battery: 6 cell Li-Ion battery;
Operating system: Fedora Core;
Display: 7-1/2 inch dual-mode LCD; 1200x900 in monochrome mode or 800x600 in color mode;
Dimensions: 242mm_228mm_32mm;
Weight: 1.45KG with LiFeP battery, 1.58KG with NiMH battery;
Connectivity: Integrated 802.11b/g (2.4GHz) interface;
Three Type-A USB-2.0 connectors;
MMC/SD Card slot;

More details HERE.

• Classmate PC

Technical Specifications:

Processor: 900MHz Intel Mobile processor;
Chipset: Intel (r) 915GMS;
Memory: DDR -II 256 MB (Linux only)or 512 MB;
Internal Storage: 1 GB Flash (for Linux), 2GB;
Integrated camera: 30fps @ 640x480, 0.3M;
Battery: 6-cell Li-ion battery;
Operating system: Mandriva Linux Discovery 2007;
Display: 7 inch diagonal LCD 800 x 480;
Dimensions: 245 x 196 x 44 mm;
Weight: 1.45 Kg;
Connectivity: 10/100M Ethernet WLAN 802.11b/g;
2 x USB 2.0 ports;
1 SD slot;

More details HERE.