LG Unveils Linux-Based Tablet PC

Linux could soon be running on a PC near you--a tablet PC, that is. LG Electronics has announced development of a Linux-based tablet PC that boasts wireless LAN connectivity.

The Digital iPad is designed for applications such as basic e-mail, Internet access, and word processing, and as a multimedia terminal, for which video and MP3 player software is installed, according to a company statement.

The machine is operated through a touch-panel 8.4-inch LCD, and a wireless LAN adapter provides the data connection for the device at a speed of up to 10M bits per second at a range of up to 100 meters. Other features include a Compact Flash card socket and Universal Serial Bus interface.

The machine is based on an Intel StrongARM microprocessor running at 200 MHz. LG says it plans to adopt a new 400-MHz embedded processor from Intel in the computer. Other plans for the machine include a voice recognition and videophone function.

LG says it plans to begin selling the product both in South Korea and in international markets from late 2001. No pricing information was announced.

The announcement came a day after Japan's Sharp announced a new tablet PC based on the Windows operating system. Sharp's Copernicus features a similar size LCD and is targeted at the business and industrial sectors rather than for use around the home.