Tiny iKIT notebook features 2.8-inch screen

Wed Oct 22, 2008 11:18AM EDT

See Comments (70)

Well, calling it a "notebook" may be a stretch, but I can still say for a fact that I'm anxious to get my hands on IMOVIO's iKIT, a £99 (about $161) miniature PC with a teensy 2.8-inch LCD that some are dubbing a sub-netbook or sub-subnotebook. While it won't run Word, it does pack quite a punch for its diminutive size.

The iKIT, officially dubbed a "Pocket Mobile Companion," is a familiar, if miniaturized, clamshell device with a QWERTY keyboard, Linux OS, Wi-Fi, 0.3-megapixel webcam, and a mini-USB port. It has 64MB of RAM and supports storage on regular SD cards (up to 8GB in size), and it's preloaded with apps, including the usual contact managers, messaging systems, a media player, and the Opera Mini web browser. It's really designed to be used as alternative to your cell phone for mobile email and messaging needs, but given all its capabilities and features, the idea that it can replace your laptop -- at least some of the time -- isn't that much of a stretch.

It's not, however, a replacement for a cell phone: The iKIT doesn't include voice features nor a cellular radio. Its only connectivity option is Wi-Fi (plus Bluetooth), unless you plug a WWAN adapter into the USB port or connect it to something else via Bluetooth.

Sadly, iKIT won't be showing up at Best Buy anytime soon. The British company is hoping to partner with wireless carriers or other companies to sell the device as an add-on or alternative to an expensive phone or laptop. It's unlikely that IMOVIO will bring the device to market on its own, sadly.

Someone at Asus needs to jump on this immediately!

Full press release and specs available here

Comments on Tiny iKIT notebook features 2.8-inch screen

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  • 6 Posted by ale211142 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    this is not good dell inspiron mini 9 is way better and this laptop doesnt suport gaming.

  • 8 Posted by jeanniepitts1974 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    i think this is great.let;s see more; I can only see what's really next.jeannie floyd.longview texas.

  • 9 Posted by degaswilson on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:40PM EDT Report Abuse

    What's going to happen is by the time it gets to the USA market - it will have so much added cost onto it, it would sell for the average price of a laptop. Hundreds of dollars.

  • 10 Posted by erbearxx on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    Darqdamsel, it's called an iphone or some type of smart phone, that already exists. This is simply a very small computer. Smart phones have the same amount of options as this deal, except you can actually use it to call people. I think rogueist has the right idea. If they make it so you can add memory and use Microsoft products like word, then possibly it is a great idea. Until then, it's a waste of money when things just like it that have more options are already available.

  • 11 Posted by medvac2001 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:14PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have a smart phone for exactly this reason, but I don't use it as a phone. It has word, excel, powerpoint etc. so I can work on documents. Touch screen and QWERTY keyboard with WIFI. With a skype account and internet I can make calls. But it is way too boxy to be a good phone. So I have a regular cell phone with service and the smartphone I use as a PDA/internet device.

  • 12 Posted by rbrannan2 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    A 2.8" screen is a cruel joke. A screen the size of my palm would be better ..4x7"

  • 13 Posted by perjohansson95 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:07PM EDT Report Abuse

    I got a 1000h eee pc and I like it good enuff. But it is cool to see. If it had a bigger ram and memmory and a cheaper price I would still get one.

  • 15 Posted by jezkline on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    This is ridiculous. Why would you use this when iPhones are only $200?

  • 16 Posted by zuul023 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 11:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    God, perhaps they should call it "The Eye Ruiner". Jeese.

  • 17 Posted by avramart on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:00PM EDT Report Abuse

    IF IT IS AS GOOD AS THEY SAY IT IS, IT'D HAVE A LITTLE APPLE LOGO ON IT.

  • 18 Posted by jlwright221 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    Has nobody seen the LG enV2? Basically the same thing only it's an actual phone!

  • 19 Posted by precisionpropainting on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think I'll wait for another 6-8 months to get the enhanced version of the mini laptop. can we hold out for the good stuff to come down the pipeline? I think we can in this great depression I am sure all gadgets will come down in price to help aid the consumers in this time of crisis.

  • 20 Posted by sharonbreyer@ymail.com on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:17PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think it's a great idea for people like me who don't own a laptop and travel strictly for pleasure but want to remain connected. Ohio Blonde

  • 21 Posted by macfreak21 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    That is the worst piece of ----- computer ever. All that that does the iPhone does more and faster. There's no reason for this product at all.

  • 22 Posted by fightersalpha2002 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:59PM EDT Report Abuse

    I would think that if this would have a full os at the same size and you got to choise what os you can use then it would be a very good thing to get for that person that is in collage or the person that is on the go. The size is right and so is the price. Until someone can make this with a full os and can do what my laptop can do then I will not get it. To me it is nothing but a waste of time just to go to the store.

  • 23 Posted by fernando_aranguiz on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:59PM EDT Report Abuse

    There is no advantage in having a gadget like this one. A total waste of resources and a very expensive one. Sorry...

  • 24 Posted by vzavang on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    is this thing a little too small? but i'll love to see it in action.

  • 25 Posted by ridgiemadness on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:40PM EDT Report Abuse

    I went this route - the small Netbook, but I got the ASUS EEE PC 901 instead. It has more memory (20G), and an atom processor - built for small wireless devices. It is blue tooth, etc and comes in Linux or Windows OS. It retails for a bit under $500.00. It does everything I need a laptop to do and it fits in my purse.

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