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I'm convinced
If I had the money to do it, I'd do it to prove it could be done. I'm convinced a person could build a device with comparable specs and features for under $600 using off-the-shelf parts, and optionally better battery life. It would even be an interesting way to give these big companies (and MS) a run for their money by a) allowing the user to choose which OS they want or b) installing Linux.

The only hinderance to providing something near exact that I see is the high cost of touch-sensitive screens. However, with that you could still do it for less than they are charging I think.

Thinclients, Mini-ITX, Nano-ITX, and other Small form factor mobos (usually the largest part is the mobo), micro powersupplies, small LCD displays (touch sensitive would be the most expensive part), a wifi, and batteries out the wazoo like plastic Li-ion, (optionally GPS, but that would obviously drive up cost) and it could possibly be done slightly more compactly if the person is clever about a few things.

I've taken apart a 3 year old laptop of mine and found I can compact it easily into half the thickness, and I have ample room for extra batteries. The hard part will be a fancy case and marketing.

Call me a fool, but with the options (of parts) and their prices, I don't see any issues.
Posted by: hawkeyeaz1   Posted on: 03/10/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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Only 2 to 3 hours battery life?!  Tony Agudo | 03/09/06
At $359 on the Nokia site, the 770 is less than 1/3 the cost.  DonnieBoy | 03/09/06
$700 laptop will not have..  mharr | 03/09/06
I have one...  duane.wills@... | 03/09/06
"but it has touch keys" nt  tbbrickster_z | 03/09/06
He's got a valid point.  mikeartee | 03/09/06
Not when there is no place to set it down  DarrellM | 03/09/06
These are not the first ultramoble PCs, Nokia beat them to it.  DonnieBoy | 03/09/06
Toshiba too?  SC-man | 03/09/06
Pig with lipstick  mighetto | 03/09/06
Well, I think people want graphics and audio. The Nokia is just right.  DonnieBoy | 03/09/06
WiFi is Terestrial - think Satellite  mighetto | 03/09/06
Yeah, if you can handle 3 hours of battery life  Beat a Dead Horse | 03/10/06
So, how does it stack against your PSP  Boot_Agnostic | 03/09/06
Manufacturers unwrap first ultramobile PCs  Loverock Davidson | 03/09/06
You Jest of Course.  mighetto | 03/09/06
Conspiracy theories and the people who believe them  Loverock Davidson | 03/09/06
Conspiracy or not, 1,200 is a lot more than 359. This is a non-starter.  DonnieBoy | 03/09/06
The first step was brought to you by Nokia, under $400, and available  DonnieBoy | 03/09/06
Hey Lovepucker, take a tall glass of STFU please  BUCKWHEATONRICE | 03/09/06
Smile on your face?  mikeartee | 03/09/06
Here come the iPhone, here come the iPhone...  nomorems | 01/10/07
Three hours MAX? They're useless  sehlat@... | 03/09/06
No thanks!  An_Axe_to_Grind | 03/09/06
This one will be great  FADS_z | 03/09/06
UMPC's  CodeBubba | 03/09/06
Misleading headline  Get-Smart | 03/09/06
Mini PC's  Nerdygrandma | 03/09/06
Yep, I want one  ArizumaBrett | 03/09/06
I want one- but not for more than a cheap laptop costs.  Steve Summers | 03/09/06
But you pay for smaller  Boot_Agnostic | 03/10/06
WHAT A JOKE  BUCKWHEATONRICE | 03/09/06
GEE WHAT HAPPENED TO THE TABLET PC?  BUCKWHEATONRICE | 03/09/06
Marketing effort for new products to keep you buying  dhagey | 03/09/06
For $500 I'm in line  DarrellM | 03/09/06
Too big, like a PSP, too small, like an iPod  Boot_Agnostic | 03/10/06
I'm convinced  hawkeyeaz1 | 03/10/06
Can't wait to install Mac OS X Intel on one! wink  AWolfe_II_z | 03/10/06
Too big, too heavy, too short of battery life.  dbman4088 | 03/10/06
I see a great in-car PC solution here  p305491 | 03/10/06
Linux ultramobile PC  Pazooza | 03/11/06
Will OS/2 run on it  Boot_Agnostic | 03/11/06
iPhone  barmon777 | 01/10/07

What do you think?

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