[Updated May 17, 2006] — Microsoft's much-anticipated web tablet concept, the ultra-mobile PC or UMPC (aka Project Origami), may be off to a rocky start. Less-than-expected battery life and poor performance under Linux may be deterring some potential early customers.

One of the first UMPCs available in the U.S. market, TabletKiosk's “eo” UMPC, was expected to ship in April. However, battery life problems pushed back the scheduled release until earlier this week, according to TabletGear.com. Additionally, the website notes that TabletKiosk is offering early eo customers a 30-day return offer, with no restocking fees, suggesting battery life problems may not be completely squared away.

Meanwhile, the Linux-based Nokia 770 Internet tablet, similar to the UMPC concept but much smaller, has had few battery life complaints. Indeed, the ARM-based 770 seems to have all the battery life you'd expect of a computer designed by a mobile phone company.

And, another small ARMLinux-based web tablet, the Pepper Pad, recently chalked up a reseller deal with appliance powerhouse Salton.

Will the eo run Linux?

The TabletKiosk eo is based on an x86-compatible Via C7 ULV chipset. According to Via, eo purchasers could “re-install Linux easily.” However, Via adds, “without specific Linux BIOS and driver support, they won't get the optimized settings.”

Via, primarily a chip and processor vendor, has long seemed chary of releasing drivers as open source, presumably for fear of revealing proprietary information about its chip designs.

Given the pain of maintaining Linux kernels for devices with closed drivers, the Linux community may in time generate kernel projects and support forums for Via-based UMPCs, if they sell in sufficient volume, and if Linux hackers find them interesting enough. Such kernels and forums already exist for Via's mini-ITX boards.

UPDATE: Steve Paine, who maintains a CarryPad blog, reports that the eo has booted Linux. Paine started a discussion thread at Origami Portal for others to post their experiences booting Linux on UMPCs.

 
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