An Atlanta company is cobbling together diverse software and hardware building blocks to create a $150 laptop computer that promises its users a common computing experience and avoids Microsoft software and name-brand PC processors like Intel and AMD. Called the "LiteComputer" by Lite Appliances, most of the pieces of the laptop have been developed and the firm hopes user models can be ready by mid-2007.
"We are developing a device with a complete computing experience without all the overhead," said Jack Knocke, senior VP of business development, in an interview Tuesday. "It comes with all the hardware and software that you need. You can surf the Web, send and receive photos. Also, there"s word processing and spreadsheet capability." A barebones LiteComputer is available now for additional customizing by developers. A model with an LCD monitor that would add about $100 to the price of the laptop will be available in mid-2007. Knocke said the machine will be demonstrated at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January.