Subsidized LG X120 Netbook Includes Instant On Feature
Another day brings another subsidized netbook to the U.S. This time it’s LG with their X120, which has seen sights around the rest of the world for a while now. The X120 is your basic Intel Atom powered netbook with a 160 GB hard drive, 1 GB of RAM and Microsoft Windows XP. LG expects the six-cell battery to last for seven hours. Along with Wi-Fi, the 2.8 pound X120 includes an HSPA radio tuned to AT&T’s 3G frequencies, making it a perfect candidate for a data plan. That’s exactly what you’ll need, too — a $60 monthly data plan — to grab the X120 for $179.99 at your local Radio Shack.
LG also integrated Splashtop’s instant on solution for quick access to key applications an a connected browser. A dedicated “SmartOn” button boots the netbook into a basic Linux partition, making you productive in five seconds. When I last chatted with the DeviceVM folks — creators of Splashtop – nearly a year ago, they were still working on getting their product to work with 3G connections like the one included with the X120. I expect they have that ironed out now, but I’ll ping them directly to verify. As nice as a five-second boot time is, I’d want to use the browser wherever I am.
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Does it have any local programs, or just “all web apps”?
If it has local apps, can you install add-ons? The things I’d care most about are pidgin, remote desktop viewer, and a terminal viewer. I assume it already has firefox, and cli utils (vi, etc.).
Is there anything strictly necessary in the XP partition (AT&T activation program? firmware updater?)? I mean, could I remove it in favor of giving more data space to the Linux-Splashtop OS? Or use it for Ubuntu and/or Android-x86? Especially if Ubuntu and the Splashtop OS could share data partitions…
(anyone know how well Android-x86 supports it?)
I just wish it was a convertible tablet format … with a linux based splashtop/instant-on OS, that I can use for IM, Web browsing, VNC, and basic local note taking … and that I could boot to Ubuntu or Android as I desire/see-fit, that would be outstanding.
It has local programs installed, but only a few. I last had a hands-on back in January, so I could be wrong, but I believe it came with a browser, chat program, audio player, photo viewer and Skype. AFAIK, you can’t officially install additional apps to the environment.
You’re going down the path I mentioned a few months back when talking about Phoenix Hyperspace — a similar approach to Splashtop. Back then I said that with the addition of a few more key apps and some customization options, these fast-boot solutions could take the place of a full OS for some. :)