Marvell promising $99 all-in-one HD tablet computer for students

Zdnet ^ | March 19th, 2010 @ 3:39 am | Rachel King

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Marvell has announced that they are in the works of developing a tablet computer named Moby that will “change the way students learn.”

That’s a bold statement, but at $99 a pop for a high-performance device, it’s just crazy enough to work.

The 10-inch Moby tablet promises a lot for the price, including 1080p HD video playback, full Flash support, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/FM/GPS connectivity and even 3D-capability. Not to mention it will be powered by the Marvell ARMADA 600 series of application processors.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

From Anandtech:

Marvell's ARMADA: Custom Designed ARM SoCs Break 1GHz

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by Anand Lal Shimpi on 10/19/2009 8:00:00 AM
Posted in CPUs

Intel used to be an ARM architecture licensee until 2006, when it sold its XScale division to Marvell.

[Defiant]

It is an amount based on the cost of components of the iPad, reduced to take into account cheaper parts for this product. It’s an HD screen, and that is expensive no matter what else is included. It has some features that the iPad does not, so it might not even be cheaper to produce.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Related thread:

iPad killer from, uh, India? - But is there a market for a tablet computer?

[Defiant]

but a school system could unwrite some large costs just by saving on textbook costs...

That's a subsidy.

The cost savings would definitely be a reason for schools to subsidize this product, just as cell phone companies subsidize the cost of new phones to get or retain customers.

[HamiltonJay]

An iPad costs around 240 to produce according to teardowns, that in no way means you can’t produce cheaper.

Or use the Cell Phone/Video game model, where losses are part of the hardware but more than made up for by service or software sales over lifetime.

Subsidizing doesn’t always come from external advertising.

[Fresh Wind]

Looks interesting. At $99 I would buy one, but I’d be surprised if they sell for that.

**** Apple for not including a USB port.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

fyi

I have no idea how they can get to a $99 price ,...but if so it would be a game changer for the education field....

I could see really being able to show some good geometry constructions with this.

You could have everything prepakaged rather than standing at a blackboard using multicolored chalk....which I have done...some students still had trouble understanding.

[Defiant]

Please re-read my comment. I said it either has ads or government is paying for it. Government includes school systems.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Pulling this from a link on thread at post #23:

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“Specialized tablets” with multitouch first to use Pixel Qi displays

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Monday, Dec 7th 2009

Pixel Qi have announced that their first batch of production displays will be ready shortly, and confirmed that the first recipients for the panels will be “specialized tablet devices with multi-touch”.  Project lead Mary Lou Jepsen does not reveal the identity of the manufacturer using the Pixel Qi screens – which work as color LCDs in regular lighting, but can be read as easily as e-ink panels in direct sunlight – but did say that the company’s customers will be at CES with her company.

She also says that “increasingly these screens will be super-slim, but some customers prefer the standard thickness”. It seems likely that one or more or Pixel Qi’s initial customers would use the displays for ebook readers, since the technology would both support video and low-power text display.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

And:

Pixel Qi demo 3Qi indoor/outdoor/e-ink netbook display

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

And:

Pixel Qi demo 3Qi indoor/outdoor/e-ink netbook display

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

And:

Pixel Qi 3Qi prototype gets video demo

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

And:

Pixel Qi screen: Mary Lou Jepsen answers user questions

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

More :

ETech 09: Mary Lou Jepsen, "Low-Cost, Low-Power Computing"

[Raymann]

I think the most exciting part is that they said the Pixel Qi screens will cost the same as traditional LCD.

[Big Giant Head]

**** Apple for not including a USB port.

I've seen this posted often, but the cord for charging the Ipad terminates in USB, so one can use it as a USB.

But why? When one can wirelessly transfer files?

[Fresh Wind]

Believe it or not, there are uses for USB other than file transfer.

In my case, I have an interface by which I can access the computer in my car for maintenance and custom settings. I had the choice of USB or RS-232. Wireless? Nope.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Not to mention it will be powered by the Marvell ARMADA 600 series of application processors....

...and will run Linux. Can't possibly run Winders at $99. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

[tubebender]

My daughter works in a small university bookstore and eBooks have already cut a swath through their book sales...