$150 'Lite' Laptop Shuns Microsoft, Intel, AMD

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An Atlanta company is cobbling together diverse software and hardware building blocks to create a $150 laptop computer that promises its users a common computing experience and avoids Microsoft software and name-brand PC processors like Intel and AMD. Called the "LiteComputer" by Lite Appliances, most of the pieces of the laptop have been developed and the firm hopes user models can be ready by mid-2007.

"We are developing a device with a complete computing experience without all the overhead," said Jack Knocke, senior VP of business development, in an interview Tuesday. "It comes with all the hardware and software that you need. You can surf the Web, send and receive photos. Also, there's word processing and spreadsheet capability." A barebones LiteComputer is available now for additional customizing by developers. A model with an LCD monitor that would add about $100 to the price of the laptop will be available in mid-2007. Knocke said the machine will be demonstrated at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January.

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News source: CRN

(2 replies) #1 markjensen on 20 Dec 2006 - 14:20

From the article:

Quote -

The firm also has created a proprietary real-time operating system. "You don't have to worry about Microsoft software," said Knocke.

So, he doesn't use Windows, which might add cost and be proprietary (and out of their control as a hardware supplier), but at least has a large corporation backing it. You know Windows will be around for the foreseeable future.

And they don't use (apparently) an Open Source OS like Linux/BSD, where they can control the software and the hardware (and have been around and will be around in the foreseeable future, even if as a minority OS).

They choose to develop their own closed OS? Makes me a bit wary of it.

#1.1 Mathiasdm on 20 Dec 2006 - 17:36

I agree.

It sounds a bit weird not to use an existing OS, like BSD, Linux or Windows, but to opt for an OS that has... just about no software written for it.

#1.2 zivan56 on 20 Dec 2006 - 20:53

I don't think they had a choice between the two, as performance on the low end hardware would not be up to par. Take a look at BeOS for example, it runs way faster than the above two on even the slowest of systems.

(1 reply) #2 RedHook on 20 Dec 2006 - 16:40

Useless gimmick

#2.1 R002092 on 20 Dec 2006 - 22:50

So you dont think parents might look at buying a cheap Laptop, that at least acts like a laptop instead of those "My First Computer" VTech crap?

#3 XerXis on 20 Dec 2006 - 18:04

yeah, they will be history by mid 2007

#4 wicker_man on 21 Dec 2006 - 08:09

This seems to be a grown-up version of FisherPrice laptops. I agree with you on the OS markjensen.

#5 +Cy Bones on 21 Dec 2006 - 10:52

Even though I have my reservations, I hope that this idea takes off and that other companies start to produce similar devices.

I suppose the question is, will it be able to run Windows / Linux / BSD? It might come with a "Mickey Mouse" OS but are the components supported by an alternative and openly supported OS...

#6 C_Guy on 21 Dec 2006 - 15:44

"a common computing experience and avoids Microsoft software and name-brand PC processors like Intel and AMD."

Ha ha ha. That's a good one. If you're using an OS that a very, very slim margin of people are using (Less than OS X which is less than 3%) then it's hardly "common" And avoiding name-brand hardware and software components is an ideal way to shorten the life and dependability of the device.

I feel sorry for anyone who invested in this idea.

#7 bit_smith on 21 Dec 2006 - 22:46

I know a version of linux ( ucLinux ) is available for this processor; see blackfin.org
I'd be curious if the company is using it, or if not why not.

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