Kevin Tofel blogs about the updated reference design for VIA OpenBook:
“The new VIA Open-Book reference improves on the older NanoBook in several areas. The new VX800 chipset offers performance gains in multi-media apps and there are two internal modules so companies can choose the best connectivity options for their customers out of WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, HSDPA, EV-DO, WiMAX and more. All of the designs are based around the VIA C7-M for now, a 2.5-inch 80 GB hard drive, three USBs, an Ethernet jack, a 2 MP dual-head webcam and a 8.9-inch display running at 1024 x 600, all with a weight of around 2 pounds. Three hours of battery life is expected with a four-cell battery, but that’s likely to vary based on a vendor’s choice of OS and connectivity.”
Sounds very cool. VIA has become quite the leader in the “lower” end market where the most interesting growth in devices has been. It’s great to see VIA keep pushing the envelope.
Smaller, cheaper, lighter, with plenty of performance and at some crossover point, you’re going to have a huge chunk of the market using devices like these that VIA enables.
Here’s the VIA press release and more on TechMeme.