MJ Technology Ubuntu Tablets Powered by Intel Atom Cherry Trail Processors Launched on Indiegogo

BQ Aquaris M10 Ubuntu tablets officially launched a few days ago, but it’s you’d like an Ubuntu tablet with better hardware specifications, MJ Technology have now launched their own Ubuntu tablets powered by Intel Atom x5 or x7 quad core processors with 2GB to 4GB RAM, and  64GB, 128GB or 256GB internal storage.

There are four models – Tanto, mini Tanto, Wakizashi, and Katana – with the following specs:

• SoC
  • mini Tanto – Intel Atom x5-Z8300 quad core processor up to 1.84 GHz with Intel HD  Gen8 graphics
  • Tanto, Wakizashi, Katana – Intel Atom x7-Z8750 quad core processor up to 2.40 GHz with Intel HD  Gen8 graphics
• System Memory
  • mini Tanto, Tanto – 2GB LPDDR3
  • Wakizashi, Katana – 4GB LPDDR3 (2x2GB)
• Storage
  • mini Tanto, Tanto – 64GB eMMC flash + micro SD Slot up to 128GB
  • Wakizashi, Katana – 128 GB eMMC flash or 256GB SSD + micro SD Slot up to 128GB
• Display
  • Wakizashi – 8.9″ HD IPS display (1920×1200) with 10 point multi-touch
  • mini Tanto, Tanto, Katana – 10.1″ HD IPS display (1920×1200) with 10 point multi-touch
• Video Output – mini HDMI
• Audio – mini HDMI, 3.5mm headphone jack, and 2x 1W speakers
• Connectivity – Dual band 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0
• USB – 2x USB 3.0 host ports, 1 x USB type C, 1x micro USB OTG port
• Camera
  • mini Tanto, Tanto – 5MP front facing camera, and 8MP rear camera
  • Wakizashi, Katana – 8MP front facing camera, and 13MP rear camera
• Expansion – Internal mini PCIe slot with external access for optional wireless data card (3G?)
• Sensors – G Sensor,Compass,Gyroscope, GPS
• Misc – Power and volume buttons.
• Battery
  • Wakizashi – 7500mAh good for about 7-8 hours (200 hours on standby)
  • mini Tanto, Tanto, Katana – 8500mAh good for about 8-9 hours (200 hours on standby)
• Dimensions & Weight – N/A

They don’t say which version of Ubuntu is running on the tablets, but it’s likely that the tablets will be upgraded to Ubuntu 16.04 once it is released next month. It’s also unclear whether the company have resolved the usual issues with HDMI Audio output on Cherry Trail processors. They also plan to offer the users option to install Elementary OS, Linux Mint, Red Hat, OpenSUSE,or Kali Linux instead.

The promo video on Indiegogo only shows just a woman talking about how great the tablet is for “you”, “the consumer”, without actually ever showing the device, so I’d recommend avoid wasting your time watching it, and instead you can have a quick look at a demo done with a prototype.

MJ Technology is aiming to raise $200,000 on Indiegogo (fixed funding) to go ahead with mass production of the tablets. Mini Tanto tablet starts at $230, while Katana goes up to $500 with a 250GB SSD. Shipping adds $15 to the US, and $35 to the rest of the world. Delivery is scheduled for August 2016. There’s been several crowdfunding failures with Linux based tablets, and the company addresses that with mentions of Jolla tablet and Ubutab in the Risks & Challenges section of the campaign, saying that they’ve already manufactured & shipped Android tablets in the past with MJ7HDTV Tablet released in October 2015.

Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

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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