MIMOPlug, a Plug Linux PC with USB Touch-screen Monitor

For many niches, the negatives of a full blown computer outweigh any benefits it may bring. This does not mean the demand for some form of computer appliance is not there; rather, it just means that a more low power, low noise and low heat output device is a better solution. Take for instance frequent flyers, who do not necessarily need a full blown laptop, but still require some way to stay connected. The best and most well known media appliance is, of course, the Apple iPad. This too is not a great solution as many users need a more open computer environment, one that they need not "jailbreak" to install any software they chose. One such device which may just fit the bill for many is the MIMO Plug.

The MIMOPlug is a small (4.33" x 2.74" x 1.9") device which houses a 1.2Ghz ARM processor (Marvel Sheeva System On a Chip processor to be precise); SD Card reader; 512MB of RAM; and 512MB of flash storage. Also included is Gigabit Ethernet and USB 2.0 port. While small and very intriguing, by itself this does not sound like an optimal solution; however, the MIMO Plug is sold bundled with USB touch-screen monitor and either a 4, 8 or 16GB SD card that holds Debian Squeeze with Gnome Desktop. You get to choose between a variety of touch-screen monitors including MIMO Magic touch. Even better is the price, which starts at about $400 for the 7-inch clamshell model & MIMO Plug combination.

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