Mini laptop maker One Netbook’s latest device is the gaming-focused OneGX1 handheld computer that’s available for pre-order and should begin shipping next month. But the next product is designed for a different audience.
The unnamed prototype/concept device is a UMPC aimed at engineers and IT professionals. In addition to a 7 inch touchscreen display and convertible tablet-style design, it features full-sized Ethernet and RS-232 Serial ports.
In a nutshell, the system could be helpful for folks who are troubleshooting networking hardware on the go thanks to its selection of ports. At least that’s what rival mini PC maker GPD figured when the company launched the GPD MicroPC last year.
Like the MicroPC though, I suspect it’ll have at least some appeal beyond that target audience due to its unusual feature set.
But while the GPD MicroPC has a 6 inch display and a keyboard designed for typing with your thumbs while holding the little computer between two hands, the new One Netbook device seems to have the same keyboard as the OneGX1, which means it ten-finger touch typing will be much more comfortable than typing with your thumbs.
In addition to Ethernet and Serial ports, the device appears to have two USB-A ports, a USB-C port, a micro HDMI port, and a microSD card reader.
The 7 inch display can be used with a digital pen that supports 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity. And the screen has a swivel mechanism that lets you flip the screen around 180 degrees so it faces the back of the computer, then fold it flat so you can hold the little PC in tablet mode.
That kind of swivel used to be common in convertible tablet-style laptops, but has given way to 360-degree hinges popularized by Lenovo with its Yoga 360 line of convertibles. If I had to guess, I’d say the reason One Netbook went with a swivel hinge rather than a 360-degree design, it was to enable the inclusion of full-sized ports while keeping the overall size of the mini-laptop small.
There’s no word on the specs, pricing or release date, and it’s possible that some design elements could change by the time One Netbook is ready to release the device. But according to the text on the promotional image, the company spent a year developing the new product, so it seems likely that this little computer will be released eventually.
give me a nub mouse and I’m sold
Does anyone have any new information about this product?
Any more leaks/official info on this? This seems like a nice mix between One Netbook’s One Mix and GPD’s MicroPC.
Also, built-in 4G like what others mentioned would be great.
The render looks nice. I like the Ethernet port and that it’s not a gaming device in looks. Although, I hope this uses a pretty good non-Atom CPU.
Don’t want the RS-232 port though. I’ve been using USB RS-232/RJ-45 serial cables for years now to connect to switches and power distribution units without issue. I just need USB Type-A ports which this has.
Is there a One Netbook Discord? The image is linked to a Discord server.
Looks like that large back to house the ports also doubles as a grip for tablet mode. I like the swivel hinge. Good thing GPD isn’t making this one because GPD’s hinge designs tend to break. At least more frequently than One Netbook’s.
On paper, this seems to be a very interesting UMPC. I assume it’ll be thicker than these renders make it look though. I hope that copper color isn’t the only option.
Looking forward to more info on the specs and subsequent preview/review.
This has caught my attention. I don’t actually need the RS-232 port since I’ve long have been using USB to RS-232 cables for years now. Even for network switches and PDUs, I use USB to RJ-45 serial cables since the ones I use no longer have RS-232 ports for serial connections anymore.
I’m more interested in this as a UMPC with Ethernet when at the desk though. Built-in LTE would be great too. Hopefully, One Netbook makes LTE as an option on all their devices after the OneGX.
I would buy the LTE version if they offer it.
This is interesting. One Netbook does not usually have leaks. They usually on have vague promotional messages without showing or saying anything specific until just before the pre-order announcement
I’m interested in this. I wonder if they’ll keep that swivel display for the actual product. They ended up not implementing the fancy flipping screen thing for the OneGX but that seemed much more complex.
This convertible is like a modernized version of the late 2000’s Fujitsu FMV-U8240 and some of their other small convertible tablets they made running WinXP and Win7. The biggest difference being the older devices only had a sub 6in screen. I owned one at the time and it was a very handy design for mobile work.
Yup, visions of the Sharp Zaurus and the Fuj U820 came to mind here. Such a cool form factor. This has my attention as well.
Interesting. This could replace my GPD MicroPC. Will this have optional 4G like the OneGX?
Built-in LTE would be great! I don’t like tethering my phone.
Going to hold off on my OneGX1 4G purchase until this is new device is confirmed if it has optional 4G or not because
1. It doesn’t have ugly gaming aesthetics.
2. Has built-in Ethernet.
3. Not an ugly gaming PC.
4. Looks to be slimmer (but it’s a render so who knows) so fits in already cramped bags more easily.
5. A lot less ugly.
Though, I’d prefer a trackpoint/trackstick nub between the “g”, “h” and “b” keys. I wonder why these UMPC makers prefer the optical pad. I’ve used both and much prefer the nub.
Yeah, I’m eyeing the OneGX1 4G because of the built-in 4G but the whole gaming aspect is a big turn off. It’s not even good at gaming anyway…