For quite some time, we have been noticing the increasing foothold of tablet computers in the technology world, with the launch of more and more of such tablet devices. The concept of tablet computers has been in so much demand, that almost all the major companies have entered this field. And now, Japan-based Redstar company has also entered into this field with the announcement of the commercial release of their Linux-based tablet PC, which they have named as Shogo.
The Linux based Tablet PC Shogo is mainly aimed at the Japanese market, and is mainly aimed at the higher strata of society, which include affluent people, and not for the common mass. The tablet PC Shogo is priced at 56,800 Yen or around US$665 which is remarkably high compared to other tablet PCs in the market. The Redstar Shogo tablet is expected, though, to be shipped worldwide, later, at a cheaper price.
With the consideration of the high price tag, you must be wondering whether the device meets the requirements expected for that price tag or not. But, believe me, the Redstar Shogo tablet is rather a giant in the genre of fast computers. The Redstar Shogo tablet is powered by the Freescale’s multimedia powerhorse i.MX37 processor, quite an impressive one I must say. Provided with the ARM1176JZF-S core, the Redstar Shogo tablet makes use of the L2 cache and boasts to be a multimedia CPU.
The Redstar Shogo tablet is to feature a multi-format hardware video decoder. This is actually intended for the reduction of power consumption in multimedia applications. The processor which is accompanied by the tablet enables the Shogo tablet PC to be run on a full featured desktop OS like Windows or Linux. Now, if you compare the Redstar Shogo Tablet with the Apple iPad, then you must know that the operating system of iPad is quite “stripped down”, and this shall make the Redstar Shogo Tablet a better device to buy.
Apart from this, the Redstar Shogo Tablet is also in possession of features like a 256 MB RAM, and also a 10.1 inch capacitive touch screen, which is in fact multi-touch and will support a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixel resolution. The display quality of the Redstar Shogo Tablet is quite a rival for the Apple iPad, especially in terms of resolution and sensitivity. Though, in terms of features, the Shogo tablet is quite on the same level as the Apple iPad. The other features which are supported by the Redstar Shogo Tablet are Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth 2.0 and accelerometer.
Some of the other noteworthy specifications of the Redstar Shogo Tablet include 3 USB 2.0 ports, webcam, Ethernet, microphone and an SDHC expansion slot. But, unfortunately the tablet comes with a 4 GB NAND Flash storage. But this limitation is rather overcome by the other features.
The pre-orders of this tablet have already started in Japan, and is an attraction for the Linux aficionados.
