Sharp has unveiled its latest Ubuntu-powered NetWalker portable computer in Japan on Monday, this one called the PC-T1 and taking on the tablet form factor. It replaces the PC-Z1, which had a netbook design with a hardware QWERTY keyboard. Text input in the new device is via handwriting recognition and a virtual QWERTY keyboard, though a Bluetooth keyboard can also be connected.
Sharp Japan today launched a new entry into ultra mobile PCs with the PC-Z1, otherwise known as the NetWalker. Unlike most UMPCs that are based on either Windows or custom Linux versions, the PC-Z1 uses Ubuntu Linux 9.04 as its platform. Processing is handled by Freescale's i.MX515 800MHz CPU, there is 512MB of RAM and just 4GB of internal memory, though a microSDHC memory card slot lets users expand it by another 16GB. Users interact through a 5-inch, 1024x600 resolution touchscreen and the device is also light at under 1lb. The very small form factor makes the device ultra-portable, while a built-in Wi-Fi connection lets them access the Internet from these remote locations.
