http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/ Engadget Comments for DIY tablet kit is less than $400, more complicated than an iPad http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/Jun 18th 2010 2:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/Jun 18th 2010 4:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/Jun 18th 2010 5:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/Jun 18th 2010 2:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/That's what I thought.

When I read "2GB preloaded with Linux" I thought - well, it's pictured as 4GB!]]>Jun 18th 2010 2:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/Jun 18th 2010 4:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/Jun 18th 2010 2:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/Jun 18th 2010 3:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/Jun 18th 2010 2:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/Jun 18th 2010 2:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/
thats what a kit like this is useful for, embedded projects.

still a bit costly though.]]>Jun 18th 2010 3:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/No, they have USB ports for that.]]>Jun 18th 2010 5:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10311&cs_id=1031104&p_id=6265&seq=1&format=2

You get at least 8 I/O pins that can be controlled:

http://www.lammertbies.nl/comm/cable/parallel.html

So, for $110 you get a much more powerful and generally useful base, fully assembled, with direct I/O pins accessible via a standards-based interface.

If your needs are simpler, you can go with Arduino which starts around $15. The BeagleBoard is priced for a decade ago; it no longer makes economic sense, even for prototyping.]]>Jun 19th 2010 3:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/Jun 18th 2010 2:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/Jun 18th 2010 2:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/Jun 18th 2010 2:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/Jun 18th 2010 4:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/
hmm... still not here.]]>Jun 18th 2010 2:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/Jun 18th 2010 2:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/Jun 18th 2010 3:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/
Engadget is written by consumers who are afraid of things that don't come in sealed polycarbonate, metal, and glass enclosures apparently. I suppose they're like 4chan's /g/ board, afraid of gadgets they can't buy at Best Buy (or an Apple Store.)]]>Jun 18th 2010 4:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/I'd say they're the exact opposite of /g/.]]>Jun 18th 2010 4:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/Jun 18th 2010 7:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/
I loled, so there.]]>Jun 18th 2010 8:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/Jun 18th 2010 9:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/
Because the oft useless commentary is outweighed by the useful information. And I've hooked two Engadget editors today. Say hi to Chris for me.]]>Jun 18th 2010 10:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/Jun 18th 2010 2:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.technexion.com/index.php/tao-devkits]]>Jun 18th 2010 2:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/
That's actually a really decent deal. $250, and it has wifi and audio support, unlike the BeagleBoard.]]>Jun 18th 2010 2:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/*looks around expectantly*]]>Jun 18th 2010 2:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/
BeagleBoards are pretty amazing, but if you're in the market for one, hold out for the BeagleBoard-xM that is coming out in the next few weeks. 1 Ghz CPU, twice the RAM, Ethernet and USB hub on board.]]>Jun 18th 2010 2:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/Jun 18th 2010 2:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/Yeah, better to buy a decent spec tablet for less, strip it down and reassemble. You can put $100 in the trash and look at your tablet through your bad eye if you want the full effect.]]>Jun 18th 2010 5:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/Jun 18th 2010 2:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/Do you even know how computers work?]]>Jun 18th 2010 2:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/
Kinda ghetto the way he did it though:
http://www.mydellmini.com/forum/dell-mini-9-hardware-upgrades/13639-dell-mini-9-tablet-project-complete-lots-pics.html]]>Jun 18th 2010 3:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/
Apparently you don't.]]>Jun 18th 2010 10:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/
Thats a neat little project going there.]]>Jun 18th 2010 10:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/
You mean zombo.com?]]>Jun 18th 2010 2:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/
I loaded that site in 2004. When I came to it was 2005.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.]]>Jun 18th 2010 3:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/
But sheesh. Talk about the exact opposite of apple. So anyone know how to code this?]]>Jun 18th 2010 2:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/
I'm totally with them up until I read 4.3" screen (that's not a tablet, that's an EVO!) and RESISTIVE. Booo!

The Beagleboard makes great (cheap) tablet guts, but that screen sucks, and barely qualifies as "tablet". Try doubling the size and resolution, and being capacitive, and then I'm totally sold and will buy one of these in a heartbeat.]]>Jun 18th 2010 2:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/Jun 18th 2010 3:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/Jun 18th 2010 3:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/Jun 18th 2010 3:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/Jun 18th 2010 3:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/Jun 18th 2010 3:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/
But sorry bro, there is still an excellent argument for HP, Asus, and other big box manufacturers to release a netbook tablet that isn't just a locked down iPod Touch attached to a huge screen. =p]]>Jun 18th 2010 3:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/
It's for people with degrees in electrical engineering and computer science. I love my hobby electronics projects.]]>Jun 18th 2010 3:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/diy-tablet-kit-is-less-than-400-more-complicated-than-an-ipad/Jun 18th 2010 3:39PM