From Netbook to Smartbook and Now Introducing the Sharp Netwalker

No, the Netwalker is not in any way related to Luke. Ok, sorry I just had to let that one out. I know it’s not funny. But seriously, it might seem a blessing in disguise for Sharp when Asus announced that it is postponing the production of its smartbook. At least, that’s one less competitor for Sharp’s Netwalker (aka PC-Z1).

The Sharp PC-Z1 is a 5-inch ARM-based smartbook running Ubuntu Linux – certainly a definitive geek gadget, right? It is loaded with the ARM Cortex A-8 derived CPU, weighs only 409g, and measures a mere 161.4×108.7×19.7-24.8 mm.

Other features of the Sharp PC-Z1 include:

• touch-sensitive keyboard
• stylus
• optical pick-up
• Ubuntu 9.0.4
• Freescale 1.MX51 800MHz CPU
• 512 internal memory
• 4GB Flash with support for MicroSDHC card slot
• Wi-Fi
• USB 2.0

Battery life is at a whopping 10 hours, and the Sharp PC-Z1 comes in white, black and red designs.

It goes on sale in Japan earlier this week but no words on international release yet.

Via Register Hardware