Zonbu: the linux-based school computer of the future?
Zonbu is an emission-free linux-based computer which looks like it could be perfect for schools. It’s local storage is a mere 4GB CompactFlash card, but it’s main storage is via Amazon S3 – meaning between 25-100GB held remotely. As schools have always-on broadband connections with increasingly large bandwidths, this is a feasible solutions for most institutions.
With a two-year service plan, the Zonbu is $99. The service plans According to the website, the Zonbu features:
- Silent operation
- Power consumption equivalent to around a third of a lightbulb
- 6 USB ports
- 512MB RAM
- Built-in ethernet
- 20 applications pre-installed and continually backed-up
- Automatic upgrades to the OS, applications and drivers
- Automatic remote backups
- A choice of storage, between 25Gb and 100GB
- Access to your files from anywhere (via Amazon S3)
- Free same-day replacement Zonbu if it fails within the first 3 years
- A recycling programme to dispose of the Zonbu at the end of its life
Specs and more pictures are available here. I’ve asked for a review unit to be sent to me – we’ll see what happens…
(via whatsnextblog.com)
Well yes, but there's always workarounds. Each student could have a smaller account and the 100GB could be for a class/year group/cohort.
It's the idea that's important here, the connectedness to the outside world. :-)
I'm trying to get a unit to bring to NECC to demonstrate in our Open Source Pavilion. I'm very interested in how educators would view a student account that could travel with the student to home and through each grade level. I also see some interesting (long-term) ideas for a plug-and-play device that is actually maintained via the Internet and didn't require local tech administration.
I’m intrigued. I couldn’t tell from the website, but it appeared to me that you don’t have user-independent logins on each unit–making them much less functional than they could be for schools…