TabletKiosk TufTab v7112XT rugged UMPC for Linux
In a few weeks, TabletKiosk will begin shipping its new rugged UMPC, dubbed the eo TufTab v7112XT, with a rather historic OS option: Windows (Vista Business or XP Tablet) or openSUSE Linux. They’ll even send it to you with no operating system preinstalled—just an unformatted 40GB hard drive (driver disc included) tucked inside a reinforced plastic and rubberized casing in either pearl white or carbon black.
This isn’t the first Linux handtop, of course, but judging from the less-than-sparkling hands-on reports about the H9, the TufTab may be the most polished and (by extension) the best UMPC for Linux fans. At least for now.
Unfortunately, it’s not going to come cheap.
The Linux and no-OS versions of the TufTab are priced at an oddly specific $1624; Windows models are $1699. A bit steep if you ask me, especially given the specs:
- 1.2GHz Via C7-M ULV processor
- 1GB DDR2 SDRAM
- 7" LED-backlit TFT touchscreen (800 x 480)
- SD-IO/MMC and PCMCIA card slots (I do like this)
- Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11b/g connectivity
- Biometric fingerprint reader
- 1-megapixel digital camera
The TufTab measures 8.11" x 5.32" x 1.14" and weighs in at 1.97 lbs. You can see full specs and an image gallery here.
Even though I know next to nothing about Linux, I still applaud the pioneering TabletKiosk for offering it as an option. Linux users have so few hardware choices as it is, especially in the world of tablets and UMPCs, that I hope the TufTab marks the start of a new trend. I doubt that it will, but it would still be nice.
[Product page via Only UMPC]
