Pepper Pad 2 Linux Web Pad 197
`Sean writes "Pepper Computer debuted their $800 Pepper Pad 2 at DEMOmobile 2004 this week. Specs include a 624 MHz XScale processor, 8.4" 800x600 TFT touchscreen, 802.11b+g, and 20 GB HDD running MontaVista Linux CEE. Out of the box the Pepper Pad 2 loads the Pepper Keeper as its GUI, but a full-blown Linux distribution with Java 2 JRE and X-Window System is sitting under the covers just waiting be customized. I personally can't wait to get a hold of one of these to turn into an OBD-II and telemetry workstation for the rally car."
hacking? (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Low Cost Linux SBCs? (Score:1, Informative)
Comment removed (Score:3, Informative)
Re:I've wanted this (Score:3, Informative)
with this [sourceforge.net]
I'm a little underwhelmed (Score:4, Informative)
-Centrino 1.5 ghz processor.
-1400 by 1050 resolution screen
-512 meg of RAM
-40 gig HD
-It doesn't use the touch screen, rather the Wacom digitizer for the stylus. This means pressure sensitivity, but it means you can ONLY use the stylus for input.
-NVidia Go5200 card.
-3-4 hour battery life. (I've reached a little over 3 with it.)
-It works in both slate mode, and it can unfold like a laptop with a kb.
I do like some of the things they're doing with this machine, but
The iPod has: (Score:3, Informative)
No color screen.
A proprietary O/S (yes, it can run Linux - poorly)
No bluetooth.
No ability to run real applications.
No touchscreen.
No WiFi.
This is easily worth two iPods.
Re:Is this up to the standards of Windows Tablets? (Score:4, Informative)
Not the Only Tablet PC Pre-Equipped with Linux (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Low Cost Linux SBCs? (Score:1, Informative)
Think "Big Zaurus" not "tablet PC" (Score:3, Informative)
That 32MB flash should be usable to boot the machine nearly instantly; no need to suspend/hibernate to save battery life.
I wonder what the Opie and OpenZaurus [openzaurus.org] folks think about the Pepper Pad 2?
Compared to a Zaurus, this is a good upgrade.
From a Pepper employee (Score:1, Informative)
If you don't like that we're using Linux, I encourage you to contact us with a better alternative for the problem we're trying to solve.
As you also know, the software is Java. It will run not only on the Mac and Windows, but on your Linux system at home as well. You just need to install a JVM. It should even run on FreeBSD, if you feel like running Java there. The fact that we don't have a Linux installer means that we don't have a Linux installer. Nothing more. I can't say whether that will change - perhaps enough market demand would make it worth our while (so ask us directly, in an official channel).
Re:Battery? (Score:3, Informative)
Couldn't find any exact info other than the following in the press release [pepper.com]:
"It has a rechargeable lithium polymer battery with power management providing support for a day's worth of activities"