Italy-based Ekoore is shipping a tablet PC that runs Ubuntu Linux or Windows on an Intel Atom N270. The Ekoore ET10TA10 offers a 10.2-inch, 1024 x 600 backlit touchscreen, as well as 1GB of RAM, flash expansion, a 160GB hard disk drive (HDD), and WiFi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, and USB connections, says Ekoore.

With the Apple iPad expected to ship this week, other tablet makers are hoping to share some of the glory. In the case of the ET10TA10, Ekoore appears to be aiming primarily at the Italian market with an netbook-like Atom-based platform that has the benefit of being cross platform. The tablet ships with Ubuntu Linux (version unspecified), as well as Windows XP, while supporting other Linux and Windows operating systems.
 

Ekoore ET10TA10
(Click to enlarge)

The ET10TA10 is built around the  archetypal netbook processor, the 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270, along with the Intel 945GSE chipset. The tablet ships with 1GB of DDR2 RAM, expandable to 2GB, says Ekoore. A memory card reader is provided for flash expansion, and the standard 2.5-inch 160GB SATA HDD can be upgraded to 250GB or 320GB, says the company.

ET10TA10, side view

The 10.2-inch 1024 x 600 touchscreen is equipped with dynamic backlight technology, which offers power-saving features, says Ekoore. The tablet is said to provide 802.11b/g/n WiFi via a PCIe slot, and offers Bluetooth as well.

Unlike many tablets, the ET10TA10 also supplies an Ethernet port, as well as a generous allotment of three USB ports. A USB-based GPS module is optional, as is a 3G module, although it is unclear whether it also uses a USB port, or if it requires a swap-out of the WiFi card on the PCIe slot.

ET10TA10, more detail

Additional ET10TA10 features include VGA output, Realtek audio, dual-channel stereo speakers, a microphone, and a headphone jack, says the company. A 1.3-megapixel webcam is also supplied, and the video below suggests that accelerometers and stylus handwriting support are also onboard. The standard package is said to include a desk-stand (see image below).

ET10TA10 on its deskstand

The Ekoore ET10TA measures 11.0 x 7.1 x 0.9 inches (280 x 180 x 24mm), and weighs one kilogram, or about 2.2 pounds, says Ekoore. A 3500mAh Li-ion battery is provided, but no claims are made for battery life.

Ekoore's YouTube announcement for the ET10TA
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Availability

The ET10TA is being sold in Italy with Ubuntu Linux or Windows XP Home for 479 Euros, or about $642 US, says Ekoore. A trial version of Windows 7 is also offered. The 3G module is available for an additional 114 Euros, and the GPS module is another 54 Euros, says the company.

More information may be found at this translated Ekoore website, here.

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