Novena is a cool project founded, it’s open-hardware, not really for the consumer user but more for the hacker/maker crowd in mind.
I would define it as a modular laptop with various possibilities to experiment with, it comes with a case (optional) similar to a laptop but with the key differences that the screen is on the outside and when you open «the case» you have access to the hardware just like you do when opening the «bonnet» of a car.
The device can run Linux for an all-around openness, check some of the specs:
- Freescale iMX6 CPU
- Quad-core Cortex A9 CPU with NEON FPU @ 1.2 GHz
- NDA-free datasheet and programming manual
- Internal memory:
- Boot from microSD firmware
- 64-bit, DDR3-1066 SO-DIMM slot
- SATA-II (3Gbps)
- Internal ports & sensors:
- mini PCI-express slot
- UIM slot for mPCIx mobile data card support
- Dual-channel LVDS LCD connector with USB2.0 side-channel for a display-side camera
- Resistive touchscreen controller
- Stereo 1.1W, 8-ohm internal speaker connectors
- 2x USB2.0 internal connectors for keyboard and mouse/trackpad
- Digital microphone (optional, not populated by default)
- 3-axis accelerometer
- 3x internal UART ports
- External ports:
- HDMI
- SD card reader
- Headphone + mic port (compatible with most mobile phone headsets, supports sensing in-line cable buttons)
- 2x USB 2.0 ports, supporting high-current (1.5A) device charging
- 1Gbit ethernet
- Dimensions
- Size: 6” x 0.75” x 5”
- Weight: 4.8 oz
More info: