Linux distro revamps for UMPC market

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Feb. 14, 2008

Taiwanese Linux distributor Linpus Technologies has re-emerged with a new distro targeted at ultra-mini PCs (UMPCs), Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) and low-cost laptops. Linpus Linux Lite features a dual-mode user interface -- one for newbies and the other for experienced Linux users.

(Click for larger view of the Linpus Linux Lite main desktop)

Linpus Linux Lite is designed to run on low-end PCs with a modest 366MHz CPU, 128MB of DRAM, and 512MB of disk space, says Linpus. The distribution supports rich web applications, and is designed specifically for handheld 4 x 7-inch screens. It supports the following communications options: WiFi, WiMAX, HSDPA, HSUPA, Ethernet, BT, IR, and UPnP.

Linux Lite's easy mode (left) can quickly be changed to advanced (right)
(Click to enlarge)

Linux Lite's Widgets

Linux Lite's easy mode uses large, colorful icons, and a hierarchical interface that features the most commonly used choices. It provides widgets such as time & date, post-it notes, weather forecast, and mail inbox checker. More advanced users can select a more traditional PC interface, based on KDE 3.5x, and users can easily switch back and forth between the two.

Users of either interface can take advantage of open source software such as Firefox and OpenOffice.org. Linux Lite supports UNICODE encoding for a multilingual desktop environment, and provides smart input methods for multiple languages including Asian languages.

It has been many years since Linpus has made an effort to market itself in the North American market, but now might be an opportune time for a product such as Linux Lite. Over at Linux-Watch, Steven Jay Vaughan-Nichols recently looked into Linux Lite, and evaluated its potential in a brave new world where Asustek is turning heads with its low-cost Asus Eee laptop, and the gOS distro has found its way into Wal-Mart with the inexpensive Everex gPC.

Availability

Linux Lite is available immediately. More information can be found here.

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