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Hello!!<br>
<br>
Here is a report meeting with Seatron and another factory ... Any
picture in this email I have uploaded to my own sever as
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:arm-netbook@lists.phcomp.co.uk">arm-netbook@lists.phcomp.co.uk</a> takes a while to get approval and stay
up there for a limited period only.<br>
<br>
1. First factory visited <br>
<br>
a) This is another factory which looks like they are making a very
simialr model - but after taking their unit apart, is a very different
mother board and so-dimm. <br>
b) Here are the pictures:<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.asiasourcing.net/ctpc89e/factory_1">www.asiasourcing.net/ctpc89e/factory_1</a><br>
c) This so-dimm uses SIRF: 667MHz which also supports GPS. What is the
Linux support for this CPU?<br>
d) They do not recommend the S5PC100/S5PC110 Cortex A8 833 mhz-1ghz as
they say these CPU's are not mature enough for netbooks yet.<br>
e) They recommend Marvell 1.2 GHz as an alternative processor if a new
so-dim was made .... which I believe they are referring to this one:<br>
<div class="title goog-inline-block"><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.marvell.com/products/processors/applications/pxa_168/pxa_168_pb.pdf">http://www.marvell.com/products/processors/applications/pxa_168/pxa_168_pb.pdf</a>
... and they say there is good Linux support??<br>
f) A new so-dim could be made by this factory together with a new
motherboard to fit a 10.2" case if there was a MOQ of 5,000<br>
g) Some of the requests on this forum:
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.gp32x.com/board/index.php?/topic/52705-help-needed-replicating-success-of-openpandora-for-a-netbooklaptop/">http://www.gp32x.com/board/index.php?/topic/52705-help-needed-replicating-success-of-openpandora-for-a-netbooklaptop/</a><br>
are possible some of the non standard items are not possible.<br>
h) Did not see an OS working on this sample as they had only one
engineering sample.<br>
<br>
The current CT-PC89e so-dimm would not be compatible with this netbook
as there are too many differences.<br>
<br>
2. Seatron<br>
So I actually met up with the designers and manufacturers of the
CT-PC89e. Chitech it seems is little more than a trading company. <br>
The CT-PC89e started off as a project with China Mobile also designed
by Seatron, but China Mobile for some reason pulled out after a few
months. It seems now they do have some order for local China market.
Shenzhen is where the manufacturing and hardware design is made and
Nanjing is where the Linux kernal and mid-fun OS is developed. The
samples we had were really the very first sent out .... so they are far
from perfect.<br>
<br>
The meeting was quite a long dialogue, and Chitech had only relayed
some of our emails and requests previously sent ..... and I have sent
all links that I know of, to update Seatron of the current status
(including our crack at the kernal) of the CT-PC89e or "ST-PC89e" as
it should now be called, as Chitech is out of the picture ...<br>
<br>
Here's a list of what was discussed, additional points and more info
about the CT-PC89e ... <br>
<br>
1. Linux Kernal Source code<br>
I showed Seatron my netbook with Debian Lenny and they looked
impressed. I said this was the result of reverse engineering the Linux
kernal source code and measuring the pin outs on the so-dimm etc......
and I said it would be much easier if we had gotten the source code
from them in the beginning. They are very uncomfortable about giving it
to us .... silence ..........<br>
<br>
I said this was a very lengthy process of reverse engineering and then
talked about all the advantages of getting the source code from them
.... the details of which are in the many numerous emails sent out
before and everyone has.<br>
<br>
As much as this goes against open source, in China it's different.
Seatron does not want another factory to take the souce code and use it
in their own device. I said to them that this would probably not
happen, and anyway their hardware would need to work exactly the same
as their hardware. Seatron is now going to talk with the Nanjing
software developers .... and we still have a chance to get it ... we
have to be patient and if we don't, we still have our reversed
engineered version which we can present to Seatron. I am talking with
Seatron about a collaboration<br>
where we can help Seatron on the Linux kernal souce code and OS - so we
have an option of mid-fun/ Debian/Ubuntu/Android/whatever ... which we
can present to Seatron and they can offer their future buyers with.<br>
<br>
I quizzed Seatron with the sennario - what if we come to Seaton with
our reversed-engineerd so-dimm with 1GHz processor etc etc which works
perfectly with the CT-PC89e - they said that would be great - then i
said what is the difference then of giving us the kernal source code
and us giving it to them - if the result is the same .... I said we
will save them time and money etc etc .... and we would be offering
them a very much improved linux kernal source code ..... etc etc
......... anyway I have to wait and see the result.<br>
<br>
2. so-dimm<br>
<br>
a) I informed Seatron we are making an improved so-dimm with the specs
already discussed. Also Seatron says the S5PC100/S5PC110 Cortex A8 833
mhz-1ghz not mature enough for netbooks yet. Also only USB 1.1 is
supported - nothing higher.<br>
They recommend S5pv210 1 GHz. and we also could use <br>
b) I have asked for any spare so-dimm's either populated or blank
PCBA's or even damaged ones .... they did not have any floating around<br>
the office when I was there. I will push for these next week - I think
we have a chance to get a few.<br>
<br>
3. 3G card slot is available<br>
a) I have 2 samples of the 3G card slot, one of which I'll send to Luke
and the other I'll use for my machine. If anyone else need one please
let me know as Seatron will sell these - sample prices!<br>
<br>
4. VGA chip<br>
I know some are missing on some sample machines - this will be a
standard item on a bulk order<br>
<br>
5. RJ45<br>
a) This is being improved for mass production - they know about the
issues.<br>
b) Lights on the dongle were never meant to work<br>
<br>
6. Battery<br>
Seatron informs the battery is below spec - should be longer battery
life than 3 hours. They were only sample batteries.<br>
<br>
7. Pictures: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.asiasourcing.net/ctpc89e/seatron">www.asiasourcing.net/ctpc89e/seatron</a><br>
Please see pictures for what the additional missing chips and un-used
connectors are for:<br>
a) 3G connector<br>
b) Camera and OR second WI-FI - there is a second WI-FI below LCD - the
connection is a USB<br>
The second wi-fi below screen is meant to be realtec model ...<br>
Does anyone have a second wi-fi on their machine?<br>
c) GPS chip - yes the the design already accomodates a GPS module - if
required,<br>
d) +0000 port on PCB - this they say is for monitoring and some data
input ...<br>
e) Space for a third wi-fi - but this chipset is more expensive than
the PCIe version<br>
</div>
8. Web cam<br>
Seatron inform the 667MHz processor is too slow to use with a web cam
..... and have not got it to work properly anyway<br>
I have asked for samples of web cam they intend to use.<br>
<br>
9. 10.2" version<br>
This is possible, but Seatron is not keen on the idea unless there is a
real substantail order for this size.<br>
They would really like to sell their existing model since they have
spent so much time on it!<br>
<br>
With the upgrade of the so-dim with 1GHz and other features ... and now
option of GPS - isn't this enough for an improved ST-PC89e?<br>
The 10" version is actually a brand new project. <br>
<br>
I think we have two separate projects here - an 8.9" more or less the
same as CT-PC89e and a flashy version with all the bells and whistles
with 10" - 12" screen, sata, hdmi and anyhing else that is possible
..... <br>
<br>
I have taken the last 2 days of my time and money to pursue this
further and I really hope I'm going to get some real orders for the
ST-PC89E!! ......... or any variation of it <span class="moz-smiley-s1"><span>
:-) </span></span><br>
<br>
If anyone has any additional input to give to Seatron ...please let me
know and I will inform them ...<br>
The good news I have established a good raport with Seatron and we are
going to get results (quickly - I hope) with them with a good dialogue
...<br>
<br>
So for the time being I think we should avoid GPL violation
confrontation ...<br>
<br>
Adam<br>
<br>
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