China produces 150 USD

YellowSheepRiver wants to make the idea of ​​a cheap computer a reality with the Linux Municator, a super-compact computer assembled from Chinese components. Its price is only 150 USD.

The Municator model will not have a fixed screen.Source: Tigerdirect

Although the American Institute of Massachussettes has been promoting the 100 USD Laptop project, in fact, this product is still like a perfect character, not yet known. Meanwhile, according to YellowSheepRiver, their product is complete and can be launched within the next 3 months.

Urging potential customers to " Say no to Wintel ", YellowSheepRiver is determined to use locally made hardware components with the Linux operating system that it currently distributes.

" We want to close the digital gap ," the company said, explaining its decision to realize cheap computers for Chinese people.

The Municator will use 256MB of RAM, 64-bit CPU produced by a Chinese company called BLX. This chip has a very low price and reaches speeds from 400 - 600 MHz but performance (according to advertising) can be on par with Intel P3. Unlike MIT's laptop project, Municator is not designed to make a mobile computer. Instead of using an LCD monitor, Municator will not have a fixed screen. In contrast, it is equipped with output for S-video and VGA, allowing to take advantage of all compatible monitors.

For storage, the Municator is equipped with a 40GB external USB drive and optional optional optical drive. With 4 USB 2.0 ports and integrated ethernet, the Municator is capable of providing Internet connectivity and many peripherals at the same time. According to YellowSheepRiver's website, buyers can even buy integrated Wi-Fi and Lithium-ion batteries for the device.

The Municator preinstalled operating system is a lightweight Linux version based on RP Linux, the common standard for Linux distributors in China. In addition, popular, commonly used Linux applications like Firefox, Gaim, Red Office, Thunderbird and Mplayer are all available.

In addition to the target market as a low-income computer user, the Municator also shows great potential in many other markets. A $ 150 Linux computer is clearly the right choice for school labs, hospitals and many other places, which only need to access the Internet from an inexpensive hardware device.

With its small 7x5.7x1.5 inch sizes, and the portability of Linux software, the Municator is an ideal system for those who prefer technology fashion, or busy computing.

If Municator succeeds in China, Microsoft will probably have a new minor concern. Let's wait and see.

Thien Y