PC-Z1: Sharp's Ubuntu-powered, touchscreen "Mobile Internet Tool"

Thursday, August 27th, 2009

Dr. Serkan Toto currently works as the first and only Asia-based writer for the TechCrunch network, mainly covering Japan-related technology and web companies for TechCrunch, CrunchGear and MobileCrunch. Serkan also works full-time as an independent web and mobile industry consultant with a focus on the Japanese market. He is sept-lingual, holds an MBA and is a PhD in economics. Serkan... → Learn More

pc_z1_2

In Japan, Sharp has been known for their ultra-mobile Zaurus for quite a while now, and today, the company added a new mini device to its line-up of mini laptops, the PC-Z1 [press release in English]. Marketed as a “Mobile Internet Tool”, the PC-Z1 comes with a tiny 5-inch TFT LCD (a touchscreen) and measures just 161.4 x 108.7 x 19.7 ~ 24.8mm (weight: 409g).

The touchscreen offers WSVGA (1024×600) resolution. Sharp threw in a 800MHz Freescale i.MX515 CPU, 512MB RAM (fixed), 4GB flash storage, microSDHC support for up to 16GB, 802.11b/g WiFi, Flash Lite support, Open Office, a QWERTY keyboard and somehow managed to squeeze in two USB ports. The battery lifespan for the Ubuntu-powered device is 10 hours. There is also a “quick launch” function, which makes the device boot in three seconds.

Sharp says the device is targeted as users who look for a device that rolls Internet access, an electronic dictionary and an e-Book function into one. The PC-Z1 goes on sale in Japan on September 25 for $450 (in white and black). Sharp hasn’t said anything about international sales plans yet.

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