Via releases laptop design as open source
Written by IT News on 2:33 AMVia Technologies released a hardware design for a cheap laptop with WiMax support under a single license with open source on Tuesday, a move designed to make easy customization and shorten design cycles for the system entities.
In the CAD (computer-assisted design) files OpenBook reference design can be downloaded free of charge and are available to anyone under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3,0 license. The terms of this Agreement allow CAD files to be freely copied, shared and modified.
The only requirements are that the use of the design is due to Via, and the changes made to the design may be distributed under the same license, or one that has similar terms.
'We hope we'll get some interesting views and look forward to seeing what the community thinks about this idea, "said Richard Brown, vice president of marketing Via.
In OpenBook is based on 1.6GHz of Via C7-M processor and VX800 chip set. The model includes 8.9-inch screen with a resolution of 1024 by 600 pixels and calls for a hard disk with a capacity of 80GB or more. The main wireless module included in the design supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Primarily includes modules to help GPS (AGPS), WiMax, and support for high speed cellular networks based on EV-DO (Evolution Data Optimized), HSPA (high-speed Packet Access), and WCDMA (ultra-wideband Code Division Multiple Access ).
Other features of 1 kg (2.2 pounds) OpenBook includes a full keyboard, to 2GB of DDR (double data rate) memory, 2 - megapixel camera, memory-card reader as four cell battery that provides up to three hours of life. In the laptop is designed to run Windows Vista, Windows XP or Linux, including G / OS, SUSE Linux, and Ubuntu.
In OpenBook design is similar in appearance to Everex of CloudBook Max declared CTIA Wireless trade show in April, but the two are different designs, Brown said, pointing to fine design changes made to satisfy Sprint, the operator that assigned to Max CloudBook.
Depending on the exact configuration, OpenBook systems will likely cost between $ 500 to $ 800, Brown said, adding that the first products will likely hit the market in the third quarter.
Via is not the first company to run a hardware design as open source. In March, Openmoko, a company set up by Taiwanese hardware manufacturer First International Computer (FIC), released an open source smartphone design, neo 1973. In headset that runs Linux, supports GSM and GPRS networks and includes Bluetooth and AGPS.
Like Via OpenBook, neo 1973 hardware design is placed under the Creative Commons ShareAlike license.
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