build your own tablet PC

[YKY (Yan King Yin, 甄景贤)]

Hi all,

I want to build my own tablet PC, this is an example.  Is that the kind of project you guys can help with? =)

KY

[Jonathan Buford]

Sure. I'm game.

On Nov 27, 2010 2:11 PM, "YKY (Yan King Yin, 甄景贤)" <generic.in...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I want to build my own tablet PC, this is an

> example<http://www.tomsguide.com/us/transparent-tablet-PC-DIY,news-6828.html>.

[YKY (Yan King Yin, 甄景贤)]

On Sat, Nov 27, 2010 at 2:14 PM, Jonathan Buford <jon.b...@gmail.com> wrote:

Sure. I'm game.

=)

My requirement is very simple:  to read PDFs, HTML, Djvu, CHM, etc.  No need for videos / games.  Perhaps an old screen with mouse + buttons (not touch screen) is OK.

If others are interested we can buy components together...?

KY

[Kevin Lhoste]

This motherboard looks perfect for making tablet pcs:
http://beagleboard.org/

http://hackaday.com/2010/06/09/linux-tablet-built-around-a-beagleboard/

Kevin

[YKY (Yan King Yin, 甄景贤)]

On Sat, Nov 27, 2010 at 7:24 PM, Kevin Lhoste <kevin....@gmail.com> wrote:

This motherboard looks perfect for making tablet pcs:
http://beagleboard.org/

http://hackaday.com/2010/06/09/linux-tablet-built-around-a-beagleboard/

Looks good, maybe I can buy one in HK.  Not sure how fast it can boot Linux, from an SD card.  Or is there a faster way to boot it (maybe SSD disk)?

KY

[Julian Lee]

Since it has built in SDIO, you might as well go with an SD card - although the critical element is likely what the underlying interface is.  I'm using an expresscard SSD on my notebook, and provided it's running off PCI-E, it's pretty fast (100+MB/s), but if it's running off USB, it slows down to around 15-20MB/s

I'd be interested in signing up for the group buy...

[YKY (Yan King Yin, 甄景贤)]

I just talked to Albert, who makes electronics kits and other gadgets.  He said he'll think about custom-making one for me.  Personally I want a 12-inch (diagonal) screen for better reading PDF files.  Will update you guys later,

KY

[YKY (Yan King Yin, 甄景贤)]

[ CC'd to Albert ]

Albert,  Maybe you can consider providing us with customizable kits.  From my understanding of business (cf the "long-tail" phenomenon) the demand for customizable tablets may be even bigger than ready-made tablets.  Follow the money =)

KY

[Jonathan Buford]

I think you will find that the business case for small quantities may
not pan out to be that significant, but I think there is a business
case for low volume production of specific items. I don't think the
demand for customizable tablets would ever be on the same order of
magnitude as something that is pre-rolled, most people would like a
warranty and are happy with whatever is available from the next door
Best Buy/Fortress, etc. Also, I doubt that the price will be similar,
as most of these custom boards, screens, etc. will wind up costing you
twice what a comparable commercial product would cost.

All that said, I think that there is some interesting space to explore
there in order to turn around most of those arguments, and that is
something I'm working on currently.

2010/11/28 YKY (Yan King Yin, 甄景贤) <generic.in...@gmail.com>:

[YKY (Yan King Yin, 甄景贤)]

On Sun, Nov 28, 2010 at 4:53 PM, Jonathan Buford <jon.b...@gmail.com> wrote:

I think you will find that the business case for small quantities may
not pan out to be that significant, but I think there is a business
case for low volume production of specific items. I don't think the
demand for customizable tablets would ever be on the same order of
magnitude as something that is pre-rolled, most people would like a
warranty and are happy with whatever is available from the next door
Best Buy/Fortress, etc. Also, I doubt that the price will be similar,
as most of these custom boards, screens, etc. will wind up costing you
twice what a comparable commercial product would cost.

All that said, I think that there is some interesting space to explore
there in order to turn around most of those arguments, and that is
something I'm working on currently.

Thanks for the info =)

Maybe look at this guy's frustration of trying to turn a laptop into a tablet =)

My idea is to recycle used laptop screens (so no touchscreen, use a mouse, but it can cut costs).  One problem is that we cannot manufacture casings that fit all used-laptop screens, so we need to compromise, perhaps by having "exposed casing".  The key is to not treat the thing as a very expensive / pretty gadget.

KY

[Jonathan Buford]

Ahhh, now I see where you are coming from. Can technically re-use the
touchpad or whatever was on the original device in that case.

You can probably come up with at least a handful of sizes of casing
that would fit whatever size was popular at the time, as the majority
of screens are standard sizes, aside from whatever oddball sizes Sony
came out with along the way.

I've got a friend that has a 4 axis CNC machine here in HK that we can
use for some projects, when we have the need.

From the business case standpoint, I think it would be interesting to
define if there is an identifiable need (outside of just a handful of
makers) for this sort of product and how beneficial the tablet format
would be to potential users vs. the original notebook form.

Cheers,

Jon

2010/11/28 YKY (Yan King Yin, 甄景贤) <generic.in...@gmail.com>:
>

[YKY (Yan King Yin, 甄景贤)]

On Sun, Nov 28, 2010 at 6:46 PM, Jonathan Buford <jon.b...@gmail.com> wrote:

Ahhh, now I see where you are coming from. Can technically re-use the
touchpad or whatever was on the original device in that case.

You can probably come up with at least a handful of sizes of casing
that would fit whatever size was popular at the time, as the majority
of screens are standard sizes, aside from whatever oddball sizes Sony
came out with along the way.

I've got a friend that has a 4 axis CNC machine here in HK that we can
use for some projects, when we have the need.

From the business case standpoint, I think it would be interesting to
define if there is an identifiable need (outside of just a handful of
makers) for this sort of product and how beneficial the tablet format
would be to potential users vs. the original notebook form.

Put it another way, all I want is a 12-inch screen iPad-lookalike for reading PDFs.  What's the most cost-and time-effective way of getting one such?  I think there exists such tablets on the market, but they usually cost > US$1500.

KY

[YKY (Yan King Yin, 甄景贤)]

PS:  re the casing, I think it's better to have a more flexible case so that I can change components later.  These gadgets go outdated very fast.  I used to have a tablet when no one had one, but I used it not very often and it died soon and I gave it to the repairman.

KY

[YKY (Yan King Yin, 甄景贤)]

On Sun, Nov 28, 2010 at 8:11 PM, <tec...@yahoo.com.hk> wrote:

Hi All,

I have second-hand tablet FujisuST5010, PM 1.0G+1MB Cach+512MB RAM+16GB SSD+Intel 855GM 64MDisplay Card+WIFI+12" TouchScreen+TouchPen+standby 2-3 hrs, selling HK2000.

Here attached some photos of FujisuST5010.
Are you interested in buying it?

Sounds like the battery has gone bad (only 2-3 hours).  See, if I have a flexible casing I can salvage this one by replacing with a better battery.  The $2000 price is good.

KY