Hands-on with the LimePC

THTF (which stands for Tsinghua Tongfang, if you must know) is at CES showing its LimePC series of simple, lightweight computers, and we took a particular interest in three of 'em, ordered by size from largest to smallest: the UMPC, HandheldPC, and PalmPC (pictured) models. All three pack an uber-low power mobileGT core from Freescale, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, and touchscreen displays; the Palm PC and HandheldPC feature either 8 or 16GB of Flash, while the UMPC upgrades to a hard drive between 30 and 100GB in capacity. Though both the hardware and the Linux-based software were extremely raw here, we see promise in these totally hackable little beasts -- particularly in the smaller of the two, both of which are totally pocketable. Check out the gallery to see all three doing their thing.

Gallery: Hands-on with the LimePC

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[The_Steven @ Jan 9th 2008 11:26PM]

I guess it's time to upgrade from my Agenda VR3 to a LimePC...

[Bobs @ Jan 9th 2008 11:35PM]

Did it smell of citrus freshness?

[671GD @ Jan 10th 2008 2:28AM]

Totally.

[BrianB @ Jan 10th 2008 12:07AM]

We've been covering this manufacturer for ages. Looks like it's grown up.

http://www.pmptoday.com/?s=tsinghua

[BrianB @ Jan 10th 2008 12:08AM]

scroll down the link for PMC-V560. Same hardware.

[jude999 @ Jan 10th 2008 2:14AM]

Does anybody know if a device like this one would be able to support any other kind of OS such as a full Ubuntu, or even windows, and actually act like a PC where you can install and delete any programs?
I'm starting to look for a device like that that would be smaller than an UMPC and obviously cheaper.

[supermeerkat @ Jan 10th 2008 4:16AM]

I think patience is the way to find out. If these devices are any good, and are embraced by the online geek community, the appearance of a Ubuntu part will be inevitable.

[spam_from_engadget @ Jan 10th 2008 8:23AM]

It's not going to run Windows because it's not an x86.

[Cesar Cardoso @ Jan 10th 2008 6:15AM]

I totally want the PalmPC one! Or even better, I want the THREE! Please Tsinghua Tongfang, sign me as beta tester of all three LimePC models!!!!

[rv @ Jan 10th 2008 12:22PM]

How sour is it. Too sour and limes ruin drinks.