[aprssig] New $200 Netbook Appears To Have APRS Potential

[Stephen H. Smith]

SEE BELOW.....

On 2/12/2010 3:55 PM, Robert Bruninga wrote:
> Did I miss any response to this post for EduBook $200 laptop?
>
> Being native Linux, looks like this would be an ideal APRS
> mobile platform for XASTIR?
> I'd buy one once the XASTIR guru's bless it..
>
> Bob, WB4APR
>
>    
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: aprssig-bounces at tapr.org
>> [mailto:aprssig-bounces at tapr.org] On Behalf Of Stephen H.
>>      
> Smith
>    
>> Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 7:17 PM
>> To: TAPR APRS Mailing List
>> Subject: [aprssig] New $200 Netbook Appears To Have APRS
>>      
> Potential
>    
>> Article posted on Slashdot.org today about a new cheap netbook
>>      
> that
>    
>> appeared at CES.
>>
>> <http://mobile.slashdot.org/story/10/02/09/2138200/XCores-EduB
>> ook-a-Netbook-That-Runs-on-AA-Batteries>
>>
>> The company's website is:
>>
>> <http://www.norhtec.com/products/gecko/index.html>
>>
>>
>> This device reportedly is begins at only $200. More
>>      
> interestingly it
>    
>> runs off 8 standard AA-size NiMH cells rather than some
>>      
> proprietary
>    
>> battery pack -- i.e. it should be able to run directly from
>> 12 VDC. They
>> claim total power draw of 1.2 watts.
>>
>> It has a BUILT-IN AC power supply. Only a standard cloverleaf
>>      
> laptop
>    
>> power cord is required with no external brick. It comes
>> default with 8
>> GB of flash memory but can also accommodate standard 2.5"
>>      
> laptop hard
>    
>> drives. It's supplied with a variant of Ubuntu Linux but is
>> capable of
>> running Windows XP instead. The device has three external USB
>> ports and
>> one internal one. There is empty space inside for added
>> devices such as
>> cellular wireless data cards. You could stuff a USB-interfaced
>>      
> GPS
>    
>> INSIDE the device.
>>
>> Even it's standard 8 GB flash could easily hold Windows XP,
>> and either
>> MapPoint/APRSpoint or UIview/Precision Mapping resulting a
>>      
> device
>    
>> functionally similar to an AVmap 5 or nuvi 350 but with a 9"
>> screen and
>> real keyboard. A USB<-->serial dongle could connect it to a
>> Kenwood D700
>> or D710 for a complete but compact and cheap mobile APRS
>>      
> setup.
>    
>> Another interesting application: Since it has a sound system
>> with mic-in
>> and line out, it could be ideal as a dedicated Echolink
>> terminal due to
>> it's low power drain.
>>
>>
>> Some specs off the mfr's website:
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------------------
>> ----------
>>
>>
>> The Gecko Edubook
>>
>> Accepting orders for August shipments.
>>
>> The Gecko EduBook is an upgradeable, low power, portable and
>>      
> cost
>    
>> effective laptop. Unlike most inexpensive laptops (often
>>      
> called net
>    
>> books), the Gecko EduBook is designed for tough, long service.
>>
>> The Gecko EduBook does not have a fan. The Xcore86 CPU used
>> in the Gecko
>> EduBook is more energy efficient than any other x86 CPU
>> running at 1Ghz.
>> It can support Microsoft Windows XP. The Xcore86 only uses
>> 1.2 watts of
>> power. While the Gecko EduBook costs less than most every
>>      
> other x86
>    
>> compatible laptop, the Gecko Edubook features a large, bright
>>      
> LED
>    
>> backlit 8.9 inch screen with a resolution of 1024 x 600.
>>
>>
>> CPU 1GHz Xcore86 Device on ChipT
>> Graphics Integrated Graphics Chip
>> Memory 512MB / 1GB DDR2
>> Display 8.9" WSVGA 1024 x 600 resolution TFT LCD screen with
>>      
> LED
>    
>> backlight
>> HDD SD Card or IDE Flash Disk
>> Audio Line-out, Mic-in, Internal Mic, Internal stereo speakers
>> Ethernet Built in 10/100 Base-T
>> USB 2.0 ports External : 3 ports, Inernal : 1 port (reserved
>> for WIFI, GPRS,
>> CDMA, 3G or 3.5G USB dongles)
>> I/O D-sub 15 pin VGA out, integrated SD card reader, touch pad
>> Power / Battery Rechargeable AA Battery - NiMH 8 pcs (4 hours
>>      
> max) or
>    
>> Li+3S (4 hours max) or Li+3S2P (6 hours max)
>> AC 100V-240V (no external adapter)
>>
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------------------
>> ----------
>>
>> -
>>      

NO.  You are the first response.   I think my original post got lost in 
all the sound and fury of the RF ID thread........