The Australian device maker is launching a dual-OS tablet

May 12, 2014 07:26 GMT  ·  By

Still disappointed about ASUS pulling the plug on its dual-OS tablet laptop hybrid, the Transformer Book Duet? Don’t worry, product manufacturers are trying to fill in the void somehow.

For example, Australian device maker Vixtel is currently working to bring to the market a dual-OS tablet capable of running both Android and Ubuntu. There’s no Windows option here, so Microsoft fans might be a little disappointed, but the product does sound kind of interesting.

Tweakers reports that the dual-boot device goes by the name of Unity and comes equipped with a 10.1-inch display. The exact specifications of the device haven’t been yet disclosed by Vixtel, but the company promises a Retina-type display and a quad-core processor to keep things running smoothly on the tablet.

Other feats include 2GB of RAM, 64GB of SSD storage memory, a 5MP frontal camera, Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11n Wi-Fi and optional 3G functionality. The Unity also has three USB ports, HDMI port and Ethernet connection.

Tablets running Ubuntu are pretty scarce at the moment and you might remember the Italian Ekoore slate that ran Windows 8, Android and Ubuntu. Apart from that, Canonical has been focusing on developing its own Ubuntu Touch and there’s already a stable version available for the Nexus 7 tablet.

So far, we don’t have word when the Unity tablet will be made available for customer purchase, but if the idea of having both Android and Ubuntu onboard a tablet appeals to you, you should keep an eye out for this product.

However, dual-boot machines have been quite controversial and many wonder if they are necessary at all. Even if the ASUS Transformer Book Duet (running both Windows 8 and Android) had made it on the market, would it have sold?

Hybrid devices need extra hardware to function and of course, extra hardware translates into more weight and bulkiness. Pricing is another issue, as these devices tend to sell for higher prices.

Unity runs on a quad-core processor
Unity runs on a quad-core processor
Naturally, breakthroughs in hardware design might help some of the issues outlined above, but it’s quite doubtful that mainstream users will actually benefit from having dual-OS functionality.

The majority of tablet owners use the devices for browsing, media streaming and office-related work. Giving a dual-OS machine to somebody will probably result in more time spent with one option, while ignoring the other. So why pay a premium price to have both options?

Nevertheless, the unusual factor might prompt some users to pick up the Unity tablet and take it for a spin.

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Unity tablet runs both Android and Ubuntu
Unity runs on a quad-core processor
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