View source for Gdium

{{infobox computer
|Developer = [[EMTEC]]
|Type = [[Netbook]]
|Baseprice = $429 [[USD]]/ 359€
|image=[[File:GDium2607909500.jpg|250px]]
}}

The '''Gdium''' is a subnotebook / netbook computer produced by [[EMTEC]]. The Gdium product is distinguished by its unique [[Loongson]] [[MIPS architecture|MIPS]] processor and the use of a [[USB key]] as a primary storage device. The Gdium netbook is marketed as an interface device to the Gdium "learning community"—a website that provides hardware support, MIPS builds of [[open-source software]], [[Linux]] computing tips, and educational resources targeted towards teachers and students within the [[K-12]] demographic.

==Technical overview==
The EMTEC Gdium Liberty 1000 is built on an [[STMicroelectronics]] [[Loongson]] 2F MIPS [[microprocessor]] and uses a proprietary form-factored [[USB key]], called the G-Key, as its primary storage medium. The G-Key, which fits in a specially designed USB slot recessed within the unit, is available in 8GB and 16GB capacities. The key generates no noise, and is less susceptible to mechanical shock damage than hard drives{{Citation needed|date=April 2011}}. It also includes an [[SD card]] reader, which provides support for MMC, SD and SDHC cards as supplemental storage.

The Gdium uses [[Mandriva]] as its sole [[operating system]] and boots in approximately 30 seconds. The desktop uses the [[Metacity]] window manager with a lxplanel and idesk-based interface. Like most modern [[Linux distributions]], [[open-source software]] applications such as [[OpenOffice.org]], [[Mozilla Firefox]], [[Mozilla Thunderbird|Thunderbird]], and The [[GIMP]] are included in the default installation. There are no [[Compiler|compilations]] of [[Microsoft Windows]], [[OS X]], or [[Ubuntu (operating system)|Ubuntu]] available for the [[MIPS architecture]], but e.g. [[Debian]] offers packages compiled for MIPS.

The EMTEC Gdium Liberty 1000 specifications are as follows:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gdium.com/en/product |title=Home - Gdium Products &#124; Gdium.com (Beta) |accessdate=2009-02-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215234358/http://www.gdium.com/en/product |archivedate=2009-02-15 }}</ref>

* Screen size: 10" (254&nbsp;mm)
* Resolution: 1024 x 600
* CPU: 900&nbsp;MHz 64-bit Loongson 2F by STMicroelectronics
* Operating system: Mandriva G-Linux
* Video chipset: Silicon Motion SM502 (16&nbsp;MB dedicated video memory)
* RAM: 512&nbsp;MB DDR2 (supports up to 1&nbsp;GB, not user upgradeable)
* Primary Storage: 16&nbsp;GB to 32&nbsp;GB USB G-Key (removable)
* Webcam: 0.3 or 1.3 Mpx
* Keyboard: 240mm long and 96.8mm wide.
* Wireless LAN: [[IEEE 802.11b]]/[[IEEE 802.11g|g]]
* LAN: 10/100&nbsp;Mbit/s
* Battery: 5000 mAh / 2.5 hours<ref[http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/emtec-gdium-liberty-1000.aspx?page=3 Laptop Magazine's In-Depth Hands on Review] April 9, 2009</ref> (some users report ~30 minutes)<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/review/R39FGGTN1K1UPI/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#R39FGGTN1K1UPI Amazon Buyer Reviews]</ref>
* SD / SDHC card reader
* 3 USB ports available: 2 standard USB 2.0 and 1 USB 2.0 for the G-Key
* 1 VGA ext 15pin D-sub enabling 1280x1024 external monitor resolution
* Speakers/headset Output: 1 port for 3.5mm audio jack
* Microphone Input: 1 port for 3.5mm microphone jack
* Dimensions: 250 x 182 x 32&nbsp;mm
* Weight: 1.2&nbsp;kg

==Starting phase==
*Gdium was originally planned for release in September 2008,<ref name="dexxon.eu">{{cite web|title=Gdium Stay online, communicate, learn and play ... with style|url=http://dexxon.eu/eu/news.php?NEWSID=1|date=August 25, 2008|access-date=March 8, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211034137/http://dexxon.eu/eu/news.php?NEWSID=1|archive-date=February 11, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> but after multiple hardware and software glitches attributed to poorly managed [[outsourcing|contracted labor]] across France<ref>{{cite web|title=Mandriva leaps into the netbook market with the Gdium|url=http://ubuntudoctor.com/content/news/mandriva-leaps-into-the-netbook-market-with-the-gdium|date=July 21, 2008}}</ref> and China,<ref>{{cite web|title=In the backstage of Gdium Liberty manufacturing |url=http://www.gdium.com/en/node/1001 |date=March 3, 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004155659/http://www.gdium.com/en/node/1001 |archivedate=2011-10-04 }}</ref> the product was delayed until end of February 2009 for its soft launch. Gdium's soft launch was on the Belgium market and received a mild user acceptance.
*The target price of the Gdium at Euro 379<ref name="dexxon.eu"/> makes the Gdium an expensive and poorly valued netbook given its modest hardware and short battery life. Analysts have wondered if a market actually exist for it.<ref>{{cite web|title=Emtecs Gdium Netbook Gets Specced|url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/01/07/emtecs-sub-400-10-inch-gdium-netbook-gets-specced/|publisher=[[Engadget]]|date=January 7, 2009}}</ref>

== Status ==
Website went down around Sept 2013. It's unsure if the community is still alive elsewhere.

==References==
<references />

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090204110033/http://www.gdium.com/ Home page of the project]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090311024841/http://olph.gdium.com/ One Laptop Per Hacker program from Gdium] (links to wiki, forum, planet and more)

{{Netbooks}}
{{Linux devices}}

[[Category:Computer-related introductions in 2009]]
[[Category:Mandriva based devices]]
[[Category:MIPS architecture]]
[[Category:Subnotebooks]]
[[Category:Netbooks]]