Aleutia has an off-the-grid solar computing solution package that is getting a bit of attention. It runs on 200MHz x86 CPU on Puppy Linux. The graphical user interface is a Windows type. And there is spreadsheet and document writing applications on it. So, basically, you can create, modify, and save Excel and Word from the get go. You can listen to MP3s and make PDF files (portable document format). Everything is preloaded. More photos here.
The E1 portable computer needs 8 watts to work (11 watts when the CD writer and the hard drive are working.) And with the display (monitor) it needs 18W of power. The 10.4" LCD TV (800x600 resolution) uses 10W of power. If you read the fine print on the bottom of your laptop, and you multiple Volts x Amps = Watts, you can get an idea of how much power your laptop needs.
The Aleutia E1 has a 14-hour battery. Size wise, it is 11.5cm (Width) x 11.5cm (Length) x 3.5cm (Height). So that is 4.5 x 4.5 inches. It weighs just over a pound. (That is the PC part. I don't have the weight on the other stuff.)
Basically, you can create a solar-powered solution to many UMPCs (ultra mobile personal computers), since they don't require high wattage. (Check out the Wheelgirl post on Chippy's solar-computing solution for bicycle touring.) But the Aleutia E1 is being marketed with a solar-power solution.
So, in your techno-centered holiday party conversations, you can add some chatter about the solar-powered Aleutia E1 in addition to the low-energy using in-the-news OX lap top from give one, get one OLPC (one lap top per child) and the sold out Asus eeePC (photo in link of family computing in snow white clothing on the eeePC is a little too The Island).
(Photos lifted from Aleutia: E1; Laptop.org: XO; Asus: eeePC)
Aleutia E1 from notcot to dvice
to gizmodo
