14 DAY TRIAL // Trying to make itself noticed in a market that is currently dominated by all the Intel Atom and Windows XP-based netbooks, the 8.9-inch Touch Book from Always Innovating has now entered a new stage in its life and is available for shipping. Unlike most solutions on the market, this small ultraportable PC makes a statement by adopting a different hardware configuration, taking advantage of the power and performance specifications of the OMAP3530 processor from Texas Instruments.
The new device was due out earlier this year, but it looks like it has now reached a new milestone and is ready to be shipped to users. The system has been designed to take advantage of the TI OMAP3530 processor, combined with 512MB of memory (256MB RAM and 256MB NAND) and an 8GB SD card. Clearly built for on-the-go users looking for a way to quickly browse the Internet, the 8.9-inch system comes with a 1024x600 display resolution, integrated 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1 wireless connectivity.
Additional features include the pressure-sensitive touch screen, two stereo internal speakers, a 3D accelerometer, three external USB ports and two internal batteries with 6000 and 12000 mAh capacity. Aside from that, there's a bunch of included software designed to provide users with an out-of-the-box computing experience.
One of the most interesting features of the Touch Book is that it works both as a standalone tablet, by separating the display from the keyboard, and as an ultraportable non-Intel netbook. This gives the user a choice for the ways in which the device can be used.
As far as pricing goes, users will have to pay US$299 for the standalone tablet alone, or US$100 more for the tablet and keyboard combo. Availability is still somewhat of a problem, according to the company's website, which claims that pre-orders will ensure users a “better place in the queue list.”