The Gumstix Portable PC Thread That Won't Die

JoeStrout · Post by **JoeStrout** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 5:17 pm

JoeStrout wrote:But have these guys gone out of business? Tapwave.com doesn't seem to be answering, and Amazon.com says the Tapwave Zodiac 2 is unavailable.

To answer my own post, yes, these guys went under. That's a shame. Seems like a great device.

But I'll consider buying one anyway, and when I get a chance I'll update my "dream machine" page to reference it.

Best,
â€“ Joe

Harshboy · Post by **Harshboy** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 5:19 pm

You could try to take the code off a palmtop that has that feature(i would use a linux one) and port it into palmOS or whatever OS you're using. Idk if you can do that....but its a thought.....like maybe you could put a switch in and you can change the screen......idk...can you even do that

daleighan · Post by **daleighan** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 5:27 pm

I've owned both zodiacs, and the more expensive one isn't any faster than the cheaper one. It just has more ram, that is the only difference. Niether of them have enough ram to store much though. If you get a zodiac, you must get a big sd card. There is no linux port for it, but there is an emulator for almost all old systems called LJZ(now LJP). See it at: http://tinnus.gp32z.com/ljp/ . If you have any questions about the zodiac, pm me or just ask me. www.zodiacgamer.com is a great source for zodiac info.

Post by **benheck** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 5:53 pm

I am here! Can't talk long as Law & Order is on soon...

This is actually a cool idea, and something I've considered in the past. My idea was to basically make a MAME portable using a Micro ATX form factor, CompactFlash drive and built-in controls. Running Windows 98 or something that would fit on a Flash card.

Joe is right, most of those "micro boards" output composite video, S-video, all sorts of stuff. I know of a place to get a 7" widescreen TFT for around $150.

I think the biggest problem would be the power supply and getting the right PC guts that fit. The Micro ATX's, for example, required all the usually PC motherboard voltages such as +5, -5, +3.3, +12 and -12. That'd be a pain to get out of a battery (and explains why PC power supplies are so big) If a board just had a few voltages it's a lot more do-able.

Joe, if you're really interested in this, and can handle the software portion plsu buy the hardware we'd need, I'd be willing to help. I think people would get a kick out of it, especially "The English Patient" fans.

Email me at benjamin.heckendorn@gmail.com if you'd like to discuss.

vb_master · Post by **vb_master** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 6:04 pm

I hate Sony with a passion.

Harshboy · Post by **Harshboy** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 6:05 pm

I am also interested...could you tell me what a reasonable price would be? I have found a good motherboard for this project...i will put a link up soon. Hope you enjoy Law in Order.....my dad watches that all the time. And vb_master.......i think your in the wrong thread....

vb_master · Post by **vb_master** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 6:10 pm

Harshboy wrote:And vb_master.......i think your in the wrong thread....

I thought I did something wrong... I seem to be forgetting things recently.

Mr. Cool · Post by **Mr. Cool** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 6:47 pm

The two options that I can think of are:
1. Get an Oqo. Its almost 3 grand, but it thinks its a desktop PC, and has windows XP. You could easily put linux on it. It can play movies just like a pc, as well as homebrew games, and normal pc games. Its wicked small and has a keyboard. It has a nicce widescreen too.
2. Get a PSP, and install Linux or windows on it. It takes about 10 minutes to boot, but its not that bad. This would be the cheapest option, seeing as the PSP is around $250, and it also has wifi. There are a few sites about this option.
There is no way Ben would make that for you for about $400. Most of his systems cost about $400, but they are extremely cheap, and simple, compared with what you want. So, the cheapest option, would be to get a PSP, and put linux or windows on it, but your best one wpould be the oqo

Reaperman@home · Post by **Reaperman@home** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 6:54 pm

it does sound like a lot of work,

huh, come to think of it, gp2x doesn't handle wifi, does it?
why not, and does it have any form of expansion port for this?

honestly, in the back of my mind, I figured wifi was a *given* on it, and am somewhat upset by that fact.

Harshboy · Post by **Harshboy** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 7:36 pm

I was looking at the OQO like a month ago....i found one on Ebay for $20.00, and my dad said this" Thats waaaayyyyy to much for something that stupid" WTF!? Its a mini computer, how the hell is it a bad deal!

Edit By Luc: Let's keep smilies down to one, ok?
k.....lol

Conn · Post by **Conn** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 7:38 pm

benheckc wrote:I am here! Can't talk long as Law & Order is on soon...

Haha, yes! Law and Order ftw!

JoeStrout · Post by **JoeStrout** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 9:29 pm

Mr. Cool wrote:The two options that I can think of are:
1. Get an Oqo....
2. Get a PSP, and install Linux or windows on it.

The PSP is a non-starter because it lacks a stylus. Also, are you sure it's possible to install Linux or Windows on it? I certainly haven't heard of such a thing -- Nintendo DS yes (for Linux), but not PSP. You can't even do any homebrew development on it unless you find an older model of it, and because of evil crap like that, I'd rather not support Sony at all.

I hadn't heard of the Oqo though. I'll consider it, though if it has a keyboard, it sounds like something other than what I'm looking for.

Thanks,
â€” Joe

Mr. Cool · Post by **Mr. Cool** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 9:29 pm

Harshboy wrote:I was looking at the OQO like a month ago....i found one on Ebay for $20.00, and my dad said this" Thats waaaayyyyy to much for something that stupid" WTF!? Its a mini computer, how the hell is it a bad deal!

Are you sure it was $20? Was it buy it now? Was it broken? If it wasnt broken and it was $20, you should have done everything you could to buy it. Youcould have made easily $3000.

teraflop122 · Post by **teraflop122** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 11:51 pm

How can I put this as mildly as possible...ah, yes, how about like this: the OQO is an anti-thetical, overpriced peice of Crap. I could try to reason with everyone, but that never works anyway.

Are you sure it was $20? Was it buy it now? Was it broken?

I know how eBay works. It was not 20 dollars, or it did not end at 20 dollars. Even a broken unit would not have ended as low as 20 dollars. If you can prove me wrong, I will beat myself senseless with a banana.

BTW, I've been running myself ragged (it IS 12:49 at night, after all) looking for an acceptable screen for such a project as this. If anyone can find a good, small, color VGA screen for below 100, I will beat myself senseless with a random fruit for your entertainment.

Conn · Post by **Conn** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 12:34 am

Hmm... seems like a smaller Tablet PC with a Dpad and buttons.