Saturday, April 30, 2016

BQ Aquaris M10 Ubuntu (Linux) Tablet Computer YouTube Video



YoutTube video on the BQ Aquarius M10 Ubuntu Edition.  Shows how the tablet converts to a desktop when a keyboard and mouse are plugged into to it and some of the other features of this tablet.  


Friday, April 29, 2016

BQ Aquaris M10 Ubuntu (Linux) Edition Tablet Computer

FHD Model- Full HD edition (Black)
$279.90 Euro ($319.85 US as of 4/29/2016 -
Price based on exchange rate on a particular day)
Shipping is Free (Included in the price)

HD - HD Model (White)
$229.90 Euro ($262.72 US as of 4/29/2016 -
Price based on exchange rate on a particular day)
Shipping is Free (Included in the price)
BQ Aquaris M10 Ubuntu Edition Tablet

There is a new tablet on the market as of April  20, 2016.  It is the BQ Aquaris M10 Ubuntu Linux addition.  Canonical the makers of Ubuntu and Spanish tablet maker BQ have teamed up to bring us this tablet.  It has been a couple of years coming.   My opinion is the tablet to have.  You can connect it to a HDMI compatible  monitor, blue tooth keyboard and mouse and it becomes a full fledged desktop computer if you want to use it in that mode.   I assume you could also connect USB devices like a keyboard, mouse, and external hard drive for more capabilities.

The down to this tablet is you can't buy it here in the U.S at this moment.  You have to order it from the BQ Store (shipping from Spain).   I also think the price is a thing that will hinder sales of this tablet.  Based on specs it is a little on the salty side as far as price goes.  Although, it is comparable to a lower end Ipad in specs and price.  

I have been a user of Ubunu Linux since November of 2011 (Version 11.10). Ubuntu gives their operating system releases version numbers based on month and year of release so 11.10 came out in October (10) of 2011 (11).   The current release is 16.04 (April (04) 2016).

Most people think of Linux as share ware, but this particular version like Red Hat has actual support behind it and the best thing of all is it is free to put on as many computers as you want to put it on.   It runs a lot, lot, lot, better than windows.  It also does not have the popups and viruses that Windows has.   You can still run this on some fairly old computer hard ware as well (used computer equipment works great).   Also most likely there is a free piece of software to do what ever you want to do.  So how can you beat that.

The FHD model is a 10.1 inch screen at 1920 x 1200 -  224 ppi with a 16:10 aspect ratio.   The GPU is a Mediatek Mali-T720 mhz up to 600 Mhz.  The cameras are 8 mp rear and 5mp front.

The HD model is also a 10.1 inch screen at 1280 x 800 - 149 ppi resolution.  The GPU is a Mediatek Mali-T720 mp2 up to 520 Mhz.  The cameras are 5 mp rear and 2 mp front.

The rest of the specs between the two models are exactly the same.   Currently running Ubuntu 15.04 (I assume can be upgraded to 16.04).  It has 16 GB of internal memory with 11.2 GB free for user applications.   You can add a micro sd card for more memory up to 64 GB.  It has 2 GB of Ram.   Applications can be retrieved from the app store (new for Ubuntu 15.04 and up).  The battery is a LIPO 7280 Mah.  The HD model the battery lasts up to 11 hours and slightly less for the FHD model.  It measures 246 x 171 x 8.2 mm.  It weighs only 0.47 Kg (1.04 lbs).