In Japan, Sharp has been known for their ultra-mobile Zaurus for quite a while now, and today, the company added a new mini device to its line-up of mini laptops, the PC-Z1 [press release in English]. Marketed as a “Mobile Internet Tool”, the PC-Z1 comes with a tiny 5-inch TFT LCD (a touchscreen) and measures just 161.4 x 108.7 x 19.7 ~ 24.8mm (weight: 409g).
The touchscreen offers WSVGA (1024×600) resolution. Sharp threw in a 800MHz Freescale i.MX515 CPU, 512MB RAM (fixed), 4GB flash storage, microSDHC support for up to 16GB, 802.11b/g WiFi, Flash Lite support, Open Office, a QWERTY keyboard and somehow managed to squeeze in two USB ports. The battery lifespan for the Ubuntu-powered device is 10 hours. There is also a “quick launch” function, which makes the device boot in three seconds.
Sharp says the device is targeted as users who look for a device that rolls Internet access, an electronic dictionary and an e-Book function into one. The PC-Z1 goes on sale in Japan on September 25 for $450 (in white and black). Sharp hasn’t said anything about international sales plans yet.
non removable battery?
but overall not a bad config for a 5 inch book.
http://dealbit.com/p/PCHardware/1232596011/B000ZLSXJO/Asus-Screen-Celeron-Processor-Preloaded
Not removable.
A few years back I coveted the Sharp Zaurus SL-C line so much that I still instinctively reach for my wallet every time I see a new Zaurus.
Gonna have to wear my cargo pants every time I want to take this with me
Ooh… a NetBooklet!
I would buy something like this for a low-low price, but the current price costs more than many Ubuntu loaded netbooks. Of course the small size, 10-hour battery, and 3-second boot time all make for a pretty spiffy device. But I’m more likely to use something like this around the house rather than on-the-go (where I would use my iPhone more often). In fact I already use my iPhone at home when I want to check something online without going into the office where our computer is. We also have a laptop, but something like this would be nice as a quick-reference net-device. I would use it in the kitchen to look up recipes.
I forgot about the touchscreen…I guess that justifies the price a bit more. It’s probably too small and too cool to be sold in the U.S. anyway.
No removable battery and $450 price. Sounds a lot like an Apple product. Where’s the thousand year contract you have to sign up for?
I love Ubuntu but the price of this device IMHO is too steep for the specs. If I wanted a high resolution, I’d go for a lot cheaper netbook, if it’s the form factor, I’d rather go for something like the upcoming Nokia N900 which is also Linux.
I’ve already pre-ordered mine!
Europa Distribution: http://www.pulster.de – 499 eur