sunrat Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 This looks interesting. A Linux (Mer/MeeGo) based tablet running KDE. Due to ship in May. http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2012/0...-kde-tablet.ars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewmur Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 This looks interesting. A Linux (Mer/MeeGo) based tablet running KDE. Due to ship in May. http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2012/0...-kde-tablet.ars Appears overpriced to me. They says it based on the Zenithink c71, which can be bought new for under $200, with Android 4.0. But they are "aiming" for a price of $270. Which means it will probably be higher. Just to get Linux? If you check the XDA developers forums, there are already free ports to Linux. But remember, only a small portion of Linux apps have been ported to the ARM CPU. There is actually a much larger apps base for Android than for Linux in the ARM world. Just my opinion, but I have run both Android and Debian ARM on tablets and I much prefer Android. This probably wouldn't be true if it ran "real" Linux and the Linux developers had incorporated all of the capabilities of multi-touch screens. But as things stand now, there has been much, much more development for tablet apps in Android than in "native" Linux. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
securitybreach Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 Appears overpriced to me. They says it based on the Zenithink c71, which can be bought new for under $200, with Android 4.0. But they are "aiming" for a price of $270. Which means it will probably be higher. Just to get Linux? If you check the XDA developers forums, there are already free ports to Linux. But remember, only a small portion of Linux apps have been ported to the ARM CPU. There is actually a much larger apps base for Android than for Linux in the ARM world. Just my opinion, but I have run both Android and Debian ARM on tablets and I much prefer Android. This probably wouldn't be true if it ran "real" Linux and the Linux developers had incorporated all of the capabilities of multi-touch screens. But as things stand now, there has been much, much more development for tablet apps in Android than in "native" Linux. I could not of said it better myself!! I was very excited about this project till I realized the low specs and price point: 512 ram 800x480 resolution 3000mAH, 3.7V rechargeable lithium battery Up to 4 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music Five-point Capacitive Screen http://www.zenithink.com/Eproducts_C71.php There are a few problems with the tablet. First off, the chipset has a horrible battery life. For instance, my HP Touchpad has a 6000mAh battery and I get about 36 hours of battery life under Android versus their 4 hour claim. Of course, the battery life may get better if they optimize the distro on it. Secondly, what is up with the 5-point capacitive screen? Most decent tablets have at least a 10-point screen. I am sorry if it seems like I am bashing the tablet but come on, they could of used better hardware for the tablet's base. That and just as you stated, Linux is not very complete on ARM tablets. I have Archlinux, Android 4, and WebOS on my Touchpad but I only really ever use Android as Linux is not very optimized for the tablet and various things do not work correctly yet (multitouch, video acceleration, etc). I would buy one of these tablets just to support the project but at $270, it is not a good deal at all. Note: this is just my opinion (and sometimes I am a bit harsh). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewmur Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 I could not of said it better myself!! I was very excited about this project till I realized the low specs and price point: http://www.zenithink.com/Eproducts_C71.php There are a few problems with the tablet. First off, the chipset has a horrible battery life. For instance, my HP Touchpad has a 6000mAh battery and I get about 36 hours of battery life under Android versus their 4 hour claim. Of course, the battery life may get better if they optimize the distro on it. Secondly, what is up with the 5-point capacitive screen? Most decent tablets have at least a 10-point screen. I am sorry if it seems like I am bashing the tablet but come on, they could of used better hardware for the tablet's base. That and just as you stated, Linux is not very complete on ARM tablets. I have Archlinux, Android 4, and WebOS on my Touchpad but I only really ever use Android as Linux is not very optimized for the tablet and various things do not work correctly yet (multitouch, video acceleration, etc). I would buy one of these tablets just to support the project but at $270, it is not a good deal at all. Note: this is just my opinion (and sometimes I am a bit harsh). Yeah. It's kind of hard to accept specs like that when you've been spoiled by the HP TP!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
securitybreach Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Yeah. It's kind of hard to accept specs like that when you've been spoiled by the HP TP!! You got that right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
securitybreach Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Well I bought one of the Spark tablets (ZT-280) for $109 as the tablet is already available, just not with KDE Spark installed: http://www.thepowerbase.com/2012/03/get-a-...blet-right-now/ ZeniThink C71 Android 4.0 Description: OS Android 4.0 CPU ZT280-C71 CORTEX A9 1GHz Memory 512MB DDR NandFlash 4GB Extended TF card,U disk LCD 7" TFT highlight display,Capacitive touch screen,800*480 3G support USB 3G(option) Internet WIFI Languages Multi-language Camera Built-in camera I/O ports 1*USB 2.0 Host port 1*USB 2.0 OTG port 1*HDMI output 1*TF card slot (modified the quote as the first line repeated itself) Not bad for $109 (Looks like the price has increased due to it being leaked that this is the KDE Spark tablet: ($126 now). The device does not have that high of specs but it does have pretty much every port available even a USB host port. I bought this strictly as an on the go device as it is small enough for my pocket but I do not expect it to be as fast as my Touchpad. That said, the Kindle Fire runs ICS pretty well on 512 ram so this one should as well. I will be installing KDE Spark when the tutorial becomes available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewmur Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Well I bought one of the Spark tablets (ZT-280) for $109 as the tablet is already available, just not with KDE Spark installed: http://www.thepowerbase.com/2012/03/get-a-...blet-right-now/ (modified the quote as the first line repeated itself) Not bad for $109 (Looks like the price has increased due to it being leaked that this is the KDE Spark tablet: ($126 now). The device does not have that high or specs but it does have pretty much every port available even a USB host port. I bought this strictly as an on the go device as it is small enough for my pocket but I do not expect it to be as fast as my Touchpad. That said, the Kindle Fire runs ICS pretty well on 512 ram so this one should as well. I will be installing KDE Spark when the tutorial becomes available. Even the $126 price isn't bad. Sure beats paying $270. What kind of battery life are you getting? I have a 7" pad but its battery life stinks. Less than 3hrs even with wifi turned off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
securitybreach Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Eh, it says 4 hours at full use but I know a few tricks to get better battery life. (set display lower, wifi sleep, set min/max cpu speed, etc.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
securitybreach Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Not as great as my Touchpad as the battery is lower (4000 mAH vs 6300 mAh on the touchpad). Then again for the price, ports, and openness (unlocked boot loader OOTB); this is a very good deal IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
securitybreach Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 What kind of battery life are you getting? I just ordered it last night so I will not know for about a week as it is coming from China. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewmur Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 I just ordered it last night so I will not know for about a week as it is coming from China. It's coming from China and you still expect it in a week? Normally take 3 - 4 weeks for me to get something from China. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
securitybreach Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 It's coming from China and you still expect it in a week? Normally take 3 - 4 weeks for me to get something from China. Yup. I even paid for 3-5 business day shipping. I have ordered quite a few things from China and they get here relatively fast. I have even had things arrive in 2 days from China. A friend of mine ordered 2 of them and they should arrive today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amenditman Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Keep us updated. I will get one in a few weeks, may as well benefit from your experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
securitybreach Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 Keep us updated. I will get one in a few weeks, may as well benefit from your experience. I will BTW My friend ordered his 3/6 so it has only been about 8 days since he ordered. I am not for sure if he has it or not but it was in Minneapolis (about 8 hours from him) earlier this afternoon so at least it is in the states already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
securitybreach Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 Trademark Issue: KDE 'Spark' Tablet Renamed Vivaldi: KDE's Spark, the first tablet to feature KDE Plasma Active interface on top, has been renamed because of trademark issues. The 17.8-cm (7-inch) device announced by KDE developer Aaron J. Seigo in January, will now be called 'Vivaldi'. The name, as Seigo describes it, is based around "a musical theme that celebrates some of the brightest lights in human history when it comes to making, playing and living interesting lives". http://www.efytimes.com/e1/fullnews.asp?edid=80429 That said, my tablet went through customs last night in HongKong so it should not be more than a couple of days before I have it in hand. It has arrived in Cincinnati, OH so I should have it in the next day or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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