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Sean Snyder

Zonbu $99 Eco PC: Linux OS and Flash HD

The company Zonbu has released its personal computer aptly named Zonbu, which totes itself as a eco-friendly, zero emissions PC. The PC has no moving parts (neither fan nor hard drive) and features a compact flash card for storage, which comes standard at 4 Gbytes. The machine is Linux based and comes preloaded with about twenty applications worth of open source software.

The box itself is very small, smaller than your cable box even, and features all the necessary hookups for computing; USB, PS2, 10/100 Mbps Ethernet  and a monitor hookup. The computer also features 512 Mbytes of RAM, and 16 million color 2048 x 1536 resolution.

The Zonbu also has an optional data storage plan which seems necessary to expand the machine beyond its 4 Gbyte internal flash drive.  The plans range from 25 to 100 Gbytes and also provide automatic backup, so if your machine breaks, your data is safe.

Aesthetically it is very sleek and small and apparently light weight. It can fit in very tight areas and you don’t have to worry about people seeing it. It would be perfect if you were setting up an internet cafe.

On the downside, according to Mr. Zonbu, a blogger relating his experience with the  new PC, it doesn’t work right out of the box.

It’s an interesting step, I think in the right direction for the evolution of everyday computing. I personally would find it limiting but for the average computer user, it is small, sleek and fills their needs.