Could 2016 be the year where modular / DIY laptops take off? Several projects has now in progress for modular laptops with Olimex’ OLinuXino DIY laptop project, Rhombus Tech’s MIPS based laptop with EOMA-68 module, and now One Education, has taken the footsteps of the OLPC (One Laptop Project per Child) project, by launching Infinity modular laptop on Indiegogo (flexible campaign) with delivery scheduled for September 2016.
Infinity laptop / tablet hybrid specifications (subject to change):
- SoC – Quad core processor @ 1.4 GHz
- System Memory – 1GB RAM
- Storage – 8GB + micro SD slot
- Display – 8.9″ capacitive touchscreen display with 2560×1600 resolution
- Audio – Dual mode audio In/Out
- Connectivity – WiFi and Bluetooth
- USB – USB type C connector
- Misc – Dock with keyboard and touchpad
- Battery – 7,000 mAh
The laptop prototype currently runs Android Lollipop with a Linux distributions (Ubuntu) in development. The laptops will also be pre-loaded with “One Eduction App” with courses, fun apps, and a way for teacher to manage the laptops. Beside its educational mission, the non-profit organization main goal is to keep the hardware affordable and eco-friendly over the long term by offering low cost modules for repairs and upgrades.
This is made possible thanks to the device’s skeleton called infinity hub that includes USB ports and speakers, as well as slots for core (CPU/memory/storage/wireless), camera (front and/or rear), screen and battery modules that connect via USB type C connectors.
After adding the cover and keyboard base, and you’ve got yourself a full laptop. There’s also a charging station that supports up to 10 laptops, which should be very useful for schools for both charging and storage.
If you are interested in contributing to this project, you can pledge $249 (early) for an Infinity laptop with keyboard and cover, as well as $25 to $50 for shipping. You’ll need to be patient however, as delivery is only scheduled for September 2016, and that’s if they meet their deadlines.
Via Liliputing
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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Rhombus tech., thats a name i havent heard in a while.
thought they had given up since project didn’t gain enough traction.
i was very hopeful back then that their modular design would take off
it’s funny that they don’t even plan to run Sugar ( https://www.sugarlabs.org/ )
Nice initiative really. But problem is with shipping to Europe will bring the cost to ~$300 and at the time of launch of the product, it’s kinda outdated HW. Screen resolution is really good though!
For the time being, the Pi-top seems quite good in this category AND already available. Too bad, it is relatively expensive. I would like to see a review of such laptop, with special attention to the question, if one might also use other SoCs with/in it.
After Jolla going under and losing my tablet money, never again will I kickstart a hardware project.
~$300?
that is more than ipad2 mini with “2-Year I dont give a F Protection” plan
@rasz_pl
It makes imho no sense to compare to compare this device to Apple-products.