[s-asia-it] FW: Canadian invents computer to 'last a lifetime' - The Star Online Malaysia

["Fouad Riaz Bajwa" <fouadbajwa@gmail.com>]

Forwarded for information by Fouad Bajwa
Source:
 
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/11/9/nation/19386556&sec=nat
ion 

Canadian invents computer to ?last a lifetime? By JO TIMBUONG  
NEWS | Nation. Friday November 9, 2007  

KUALA LUMPUR: How much would you pay for a laptop computer which is claimed
can last a lifetime, needs no maintenance and doesn?t need to be upgraded?  

Gerry Morgan, a 54-year-old former teacher from Canada, claims he has
invented such a computer, which he is marketing through his company,
InkMedia Inc. 

[Image Caption Hassle free alternative: Morgan showing the prototype of his
InkMedia laptop.
http://thestar.com.my/archives/2007/11/9/nation/n_p29morgan1.jpg]

The laptop, named the InkMedia, uses a Freescale processor with 512
megabytes of RAM (Random Access Memory) and the Linux operating system. It
has an 8.6in SVGA screen that is capable of displaying 800X600pixel True
Colour graphics and comes with four USB ports. It also has a WiFi port for
wireless Internet access. 

The price for the InkMedia is a mere US$300 (RM1,000).  

The Freescale processor and Linux operating system, which is free for anyone
to use, contribute to the lower price of the laptop. 

Morgan, who was in town, told The Star earlier this week that he got the
idea for the laptop while he was working as a technology consultant in India
about 10 years ago. 

He said he didn?t like watching people spend a lot of money on computers
that they then threw away after a few years.  

Morgan said he designed his laptop to not have a hard disk, which is a
standard component on regular computers. The hard disk stores a computer?s
operating system, applications, and other data, such as photos, MP3s and
documents. 

All the applications a user would need, such as a word processor and web
browser, are contained in the InkMedia?s ROM (read-only memory) chip, which
cannot be modified or corrupted.  

?Because it does not have a hard disk, my laptop will never fall victim to a
computer virus (which would need to modify application files to pose a
threat),? Morgan said.  

Without a hard disk, however, InkMedia users will need to move information
they want to keep to thumbdrives and other external storage devices.  

He claims the 980g laptop is durable and can withstand accidents, such as a
spilt drink or a drop. 

Morgan, who is founder and managing director of InkMedia, sees the laptop as
a tool for bridging the digital divide ? the gap between the technology
haves and have-nots. 

According to him, students at the HELP Institute here would be the first in
the world to test the InkMedia laptop in January.  

For more information on the laptop, go to www.ink-media.com.