Looking for a portable, wireless Internet accessible compu..

Archived from groups: alt.internet.wireless (More info?)

I'm looking for a wireless phone/Internet accessible computer that is
small in size and has the following functionality:

1. Need high-speed Internet access. The faster the better.
2. Need to be able to attach a keyboard at least. Mouse and monitor
would be good. Should have a build in tiny keyboard.
3. Linux friendly would be good.

Essentially I'm looking for a small client that I can use instead of a
laptop.

--Ram

Archived from groups: alt.internet.wireless (More info?)

On Thu, 18 Aug 2005 01:54:54 +0000 (UTC), Ram Samudrala
<ram@public.compbio.washington.edu> wrote:

>I'm looking for a wireless phone/Internet accessible computer that is
>small in size and has the following functionality:
>
>1. Need high-speed Internet access. The faster the better.
>2. Need to be able to attach a keyboard at least. Mouse and monitor
> would be good. Should have a build in tiny keyboard.
>3. Linux friendly would be good.
>
>Essentially I'm looking for a small client that I can use instead of a
>laptop.

It would be nice to know what OS and applications you plan to run on
this machine. Such minor details largely determine the horsepower
required.

I've built a few machines based on mini-ITX motherboards. Low power
consumption was the major requirement.
See:
http://www.mini-itx.com
for some examples (right hand "Projects" side menu). Some are really
bizarre. For example, the "Attache Server" seems to fit your
description:
http://www.mini-itx.com/projects/attacheserver/
Here's one built into a Windoze XP software box:
http://www.mini-itx.com/projects/windowsxpbox/
That should give you a clue as to the size.

There are Linux drivers for at least the Via EPIA series of mini-ITX
boards.

I don't understand the requirement for a "wireless phone". Do you
mean running VoIP over 802.11b/g wireless? No problem.

Anyway, see if any of the projects above jog your imagination.


--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
AE6KS 831-336-2558

Archived from groups: alt.internet.wireless (More info?)

I've researched this issue thoroughly. The reason I want to do this
now is that for the first time, there's a technology called EVDO that
allows for broadband access speed over cellphone frequencies
(http://dts.vzw.com/faqs/VZAccess/faq_natlbrdbandaccess.html?sp_link=1#item3).
This is what I've learnt: Most current Blackberries (in fact, all, as
far as I know) do not have broadband speeds that arises as a result of
the phone (i.e., not wi-fi). Verizon is the only company that has the
most roll-out--in other words, I can get this speed in most major
cities in the country and then some. And Verizon has two phones that
can do this, including a Samsung (which is a Blackberry-like device).

So there are two solutions, and I've decided to go with both:

1. A Samsung SCH-i730 phone/portable computer which is about $600.00
with a two-year contract. This would be combined with a voice/data
plan costing $85/month.

2. A PC card for my laptop which provides the same functionality
without voice capability (Verizon Wireless PC 5220) which should be
about $100 with a two-year contract and a data only plan that costs
$80/month.

This is the technology I've been waiting for. I hope it works as
promised.

--Ram