Harbinger

From the beginning, Linux has been something of a hermit crab operating system, because it tends to inhabit boxes first designed for other operating systems. This has been especially true for clients. While special purpose servers have been built around Linux for years, clients have mostly been Window boxes with Linux flowers, instead of the more familiar sort.

Portables have been especially vexing to Linux hardware manufacturers. All your familiar laptops are packed with arcane drivers and embedded characteristics that make running Linux somewhat of an iffy proposition.

Not any more. Now we are seeing a new generation of portables designed from the ground up to run Linux. One of the first out of the gate appears to be a remarkable new machine from Boxx <http://www.boxx.net>. Described as "the first portable / slim desktop hybrid computer designed from the ground up for Linux compatible multi-platform computing," it's a veritable arsenal for the road warrior.

Despite its extreme variety of physical features, its best talent may be its dual-boot capabilities. The user can install and run two x86-compatible operating systems, one off the primary hard drive and the other off the swappable device bay, key-selecting between the two — so it's like having two computers in one.

Here are a few more of the Boxx's features:

• convertible from notebook to slim desktop, presentation easel and pen tablet configurations.
• detachable wireless (IR) keyboard and wireless entertainment remote control.
• 14.1" or 13.3" TFT XGA LCD screen with resistive touch sensitive panel (the pen stylus has a laser pointer)
• swappable device bay allows a second HDD, CDRW, DVD Rom, CD-Rom, LS 120, FDD, or battery
• 3D stereo sound with built in active diaphragm subwoofer
• Power system allows 3 batteries (for up to 12 hours operating time)