Sharp unveils a Linux MID

The Netwalker runs Ubuntu OS

The Netwalker

 Sharp brought out a 5” little MID device called the NetWalker PC-Z1 very similar in style to the UMID MBook M1. The 5” touch screen display has a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels and is powered by a FreeScale MX515 CPU (800 MHz). It is provided with 512MB RAM, 4GB storage, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and a 68 key QWERTY keyboard. It comes pre-installed with Ubuntu 9.04 as the Operating System. There is also a microSDHC slot that can accommodate up to 16GB of further storage.

It is light in operation in the sense that it has a very quick boot time of about 3 seconds – as reported by Netbooked. The 2-Cell Lithium Ion battery is not detachable, but Sharp promises about 10 hours with that.

Another good thing is its weight and dimensions which are really convenient and as mobile as it gets at 409gm and 161 x 109 x 20 mm in size.

It is expected to go on sale later next month in Japan for about $479 equivalent of Japanese Yen. Apparently it can’t go on sale in the US as the FreeScale MX515 is banned from being sold there.

UMID M1

Let me tell you a bit about the UMID M1 in case you were wondering – In the M1 You get an almost full PC experience in a mere 6.2 x 3.7 x 0.7 inches (157 x 94 x 17mm) box that weighs a meager 313g. It’s small enough to put in a big enough pocket or purse, sporting a crisp 4.8” 1024 x 600 touchscreen. The UMID M1 is powered by an Intel Atom 1.33GHz CPU, and storage of up to 32GB Solid State HDD. Perhaps the best thing about this baby is the battery that delivers up to five hours of actual use – as claimed by the company