PengPod has confirmed that it will be shipping 7 and 10 inch tablets with support for Linux and Google Android this January.
Founded by Neal Peacock, the company is currently engaged in fundraising efforts and has already managed to surpass its initial $49,000 goal.
As such, backers who pledged more than $120 or more should be receiving their tablets in just a month or so if all remains on track.
As Liliputing’s Brad Linder notes, the PengPod 700 and PengPod 1000 tablets are both powered by Allwinner A10 ARM Cortex-A8 processors – the same chip found in the MK802 Android PC-on-a-stick.
“We already know how simple it is to get Ubuntu, Fedora, or other Linux-based operating systems up and running on that hardware,” Linder explained.
“[Nevertheless], Peacock has been raising money to help develop software that fully supports the hardware though, with working cameras, motion sensors, and other features.”
Although the tablets can easily boot Linux from internal storage or a removable microSD card, Peacock plans on shipping the tablets loaded with Android, while making a custom Linux operating system available for use from a storage card for those interested in a dual boot approach.
A range of desktop environments are currently supported, including Plasma Active, Lxde, and Xfce, along with XBMC and VLC media players.
Unfortunately, Linder says the tablets are somewhat “underwhelming” from a hardware perspective, as the Cortex-A8 is rather sluggish compared to mobile devices powered by A9 and A15 chips. The same could probably be said for the 7-inch 800 x 480 pixel screen and the 10- inch model weighing in at 1024 x 600 pixels.
Then again, the PengPod tablets are likely aimed at devs and Linux enthusiasts, rather than mainstream consumers.
