Technology blog site TechCrunch has prototyped a WiFi-enabled tablet PC device that runs Linux. The "Crunchpad" is equipped with a Via Nano processor, 1GB RAM, 4GB flash, and a 12-inch, 1024x768 touchscreen, and appears to be aimed at Web-curious couch potatoes. The CrunchPad is the brainchild of TechCrunch editor Michael Arrington, who last summer announced plans to launch an open-source project to build a prototype. Arrington's goal was to find a "dead simple" touchscreen web browsing device that was light enough to sit on one's lap while watching TV. At the time, TechCrunch was targeting a $200 device, but now "$299 is more realistic," writes Arrington in his most recent post. Prototype B of the CrunchPad uses Via Technologies's 64-bit, 65nm Nano processor, which Arrington says performs on par with an Intel Atom in their tests. Nano-based netbooks, such as Dr. Mobile's recently announced, Linux ready Freestyle 1300n, have the potential to outperform those based on Intel's ubiquitous Atom N270 -- though with a potential sacrifice in battery life. Third-party comparisons of the Atom and the Nano, using desktop versions of the CPUs, have shown the Nano outperforming the Atom by up to 30 percent. But, while both CPUs have similar power consumption at idle, the Nano drinks significantly more juice under load, reports say. TechCrunch did not report which version of the processor was used, but it is likely the mobile-oriented, 1.3GHz Nano U2350. ( www.linuxdevices.com )Source
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