A Sharp Zaurus Mini Notebook?

[Snappy]

I was just thinking ... since the Zaurus clamshell series is really a full linux OS in a convertible power-packed pda shell, what's stopping Sharp from making a mini notebook using the same ingredients?

Since Word and Excel equivalent is already available on the Zaurus clamshells (and older collie and poodle) series, "office" related apps is catered for. CHECKED
Internet and network apps are present. CHECKED
Multimedia. CHECKED

So what's stopping them?

Besides, they can always continue to use Intel PXA cpu and a internal hdd for storage with perhaps a 5~6" screen, but retain the swivel mode screen. This would mean an InstantOn notebook that can beat the crap out of any UMPC to come for the next few years.

Why aren't they doing it? Why? *ponder*

Would you buy one?

[BarryW]

I was just thinking ... since the Zaurus clamshell series is really a full linux OS in a convertible power-packed pda shell, what's stopping Sharp from making a mini notebook using the same ingredients?

Since Word and Excel equivalent is already available on the Zaurus clamshells (and older collie and poodle) series, "office" related apps is catered for. CHECKED
Internet and network apps are present. CHECKED
Multimedia. CHECKED

So what's stopping them?

Besides, they can always continue to use Intel PXA cpu and a internal hdd for storage with perhaps a 5~6" screen, but retain the swivel mode screen. This would mean an InstantOn notebook that can beat the crap out of any UMPC to come for the next few years.

Why aren't they doing it? Why? *ponder*

Would you buy one?
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=124321\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

Because no one would buy one.  I can buy a dell laptop for less than I paid for either of my Zauri.  It would never boot windows though.

[Snappy]

How about the mid lower end of Zaurii ... they are around $300 ~ $400 or so imported from Japan.

I would buy one if they made one and priced it around $400~$500, say 6" screen or so. Having InstantOn and a fullOS in a subnotebook convertible formfactor would win me over.

EDIT: BarryW, you got heck of a site with many hardware hacks eh! Very neat!

Ever considered hacking a normal notebook with a wacom tablet to make it into a semi-tabletPC?

[BarryW]

How about the mid lower end of Zaurii ... they are around $300 ~ $400 or so imported from Japan.

I would buy one if they made one and priced it around $400~$500, say 6" screen or so. Having InstantOn and a fullOS in a subnotebook convertible formfactor would win me over.

EDIT: BarryW, you got heck of a site with many hardware hacks eh! Very neat!

Ever considered hacking a normal notebook with a wacom tablet to make it into a semi-tabletPC?
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=124343\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

Thought about it.  I couldn't find a digitizer that would fit.  They are also kinda spendy at screen sizes.

[cmonex]

Because no one would buy one.  I[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=124330\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

wrong. i would. buy. one. or more!  this would be the perfect size for me!!

[BarryW]

Because no one would buy one.  I[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=124330\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

wrong. i would. buy. one. or more!  this would be the perfect size for me!!
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=124395\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

Yea, but it would be like you and maybe 200 other people.  Not really worth Sharp's time and money.  That's why they pulled out of the US market.  Look at the Vadem, now Main Street Clio, has just about the specs the OP is talking about.  If Vadem could get the Clio to run OpenZ or some other linux like os, I'd snap one up too.

[icruise]

I'm not at all convinced that people are going to want to buy devices like this that run Windows. The chances of them wanting to buy ones that run Linux are even smaller. That's not to say that it wouldn't be nice, but without a sizable market it doesn't make sense to spend money developing something like that.

[BarryW]

I'm not at all convinced that people are going to want to buy devices like this that run Windows. The chances of them wanting to buy ones that run Linux are even smaller. That's not to say that it wouldn't be nice, but without a sizable market it doesn't make sense to spend money developing something like that.
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=124402\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

That's what I was trying to say!  English isn't my strong suit...

[gr8ful]

At the rate CPUs are getting faster and consuming less power, it won't be too long before something the size of the Zaurus clamshells will be able to run a full desktop OS with a good response time.

The major limitation I have with the Zaurus handhelds now is the availability of software and the responsiveness of more robust programs ported into the embedded Linux environment.  If the Zaurus is still around when all this is feasible and provides a good user experience, I believe Sharp will have no choice but to make a Zaurus that will run whatever Linux distro you prefer, as it is with desktops now.

[Snappy]

Well, to many people, running Windows or not will be thing of the past. Especially if all they do is write emails, browse the web, listen to mp3s and watch video clips (not DVDs).

To me, the current Zaurus OS/hardware has one major trumpcard ... actually two-in-one:

InstantOn + Long batt life

I have a collie and I don't find it slow at all, so I think a C1000 hw would be pretty zippy already. If so, it would be an excellent device for many folks.

Vadem CLIO and the other HPC OEMs failed in a sense, not because their products sucked, but because they never quite intended or marketed them for end-users. HPCs were targeted at verticals right from the start.

MS, Intel and UMPC partners are gauging the market very gingerly to decide where to target it. MS stated a $500 bottom price and I believe that was a crucial factor for the subsequent BUZZ.

Vadem and the other HPCs failed because they mostly came in at around $1000 and were intended for verticals. If they had made bigger bets and priced them at $500 back in 2000, maybe the PC landscape might be quite different today. Maybe HPCs might be 30% of the market while desktops and notebooks the remaining 70%.

I believe MS and its croonies kinda signed Vadem and HPCs to their death with the $1k pricing and today, UMPCs (I like Origamis better) will die a same fate if they do not peg their price lower.

I believe Origamis can deliver on the $500 pricetag, but it may be awhile before they do on the battery life. If Sharp or someone deliver on an Origami with a $500 pricetag with a 5~6" screen in the Zaurus clamshell design, they would win.

Last note on why Windows or not, it won't matter. The most popular MP3 player on Earth does not run Windows or a variant of Windows. And its not even from Microsoft. Apple proved that if it does what users want, at the right price, users will lap it up.  ... and you do not even need to have the Windows Start Button!

[icruise]

Last note on why Windows or not, it won't matter. The most popular MP3 player on Earth does not run Windows or a variant of Windows. And its not even from Microsoft. Apple proved that if it does what users want, at the right price, users will lap it up.  ... and you do not even need to have the Windows Start Button!
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=124420\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

The iPod isn't a computer, though -- it doesn't do anything but play media. Well, it does a few other things, but it doesn't run programs or create documents, browse the web or send emails. It is fundamentally a viewer -- even its PDA-like functions are strictly read-only.

The more relevant example might be the Macintosh itself. Despite the fact that the OS is superior to Windows, despite the fact that the hardware is superior to most Windows hardware, and despite the fact that the great majority of the documents and files that consumers use are usable cross-platform, buying a Macintosh doesn't enter most people's heads. Some minor progress has been made in this regard, but to most people, you need to run Windows to "be compatible." This is why I don't see a Linux-based computer (as opposed to a PDA or web pad) gaining widespread popularity. It may not be based in fact, but this kind of mental block is very hard to overcome.

On different note, is it just me or are the designs of these UMPCs just horrible? Sharp got it right with the mini-clamshell.

[Snappy]

Guess you are right on that! It's the "PC==Windows" mindset that is simply impossible to break. Got to hats off to billg for that!

I recently used the HP Jornada 720 handheld at a community area and sure enough, people started crowding and asking what that is. They've practically never seen something like that before and when they heard the price (I got from ebay $135 + shipping), they almost flipped ... that its so cheap! Someone then asked what OS it runs on ... and I told him its WinCE ... and judging from his lack of response, I figure he has no idea what that is.

Ah well ...

[cmonex]

Look at the Vadem, now Main Street Clio, has just about the specs the OP is talking about.  If Vadem could get the Clio to run OpenZ or some other linux like os, I'd snap one up too.
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=124399\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

um, i wouldnt buy a clio. thats too big. i'd rather get a subnote then. what i want is something that is still somewhat pda sized with a screen 5-6". not much more than that, please!! somewhere between zaurus (little too small) and between a really small subnote.

other than that... i really don't think only 200 ppl would buy such a thing!!

[cmonex]

to most people, you need to run Windows to "be compatible." This is why I don't see a Linux-based computer (as opposed to a PDA or web pad) gaining widespread popularity. It may not be based in fact, but this kind of mental block is very hard to overcome.

On different note, is it just me or are the designs of these UMPCs just horrible? Sharp got it right with the mini-clamshell.
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=124422\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

hm, yes it is horrible, those umpcs, but that averatec thing seems not too bad with its size and keyboard...  but the keyboard itself sucks eh

as for the windows compatibility... i think it is based on facts. i like the zaurus but it does show it isn't a windows pda

[Tom61]

So what's stopping them?
...
Why aren't they doing it? Why? *ponder*

[div align=\"right\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

This comes to mind:
[a href=\"http://www.sharpusa.com/products/TypeLanding/0,1056,74,00.html]http://www.sharpusa.com/products/TypeLandi...1056,74,00.html[/url]?

Not very successful, though fairly cool series. You can even put Linux or *BSD on them if you can find an archive that has the files still.

I don't see how an improved & modernised version would fair any better than that iteration, even running Linux. Especially now that you can get a full-power PC in a size not much larger.  Anything like a H/PC would now have to be priced very cheaply to even be considered versus a UMPC, particularly when sub-$600 UMPCs are expected. "Why run a Word substitute when you can just run Word?" will be the question most people will ask if something like what you desire comes out.