Solu is an adorable Linux PC that fits in your pocket, but at a cost

By Gabe Carey October 30, 2015

solu pocket sized touchscreen linux pc 3e3db51ef22852b55946ed467b8536b5 original — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Solu Machines recently launched a Kickstarter campaign with the hopes of releasing a completely new class of device. Dubbed the Solu, the company has prototyped a 4.5-inch cloud-powered computer with a peculiar square form factor. Its touchscreen display allows users to navigate the device with their fingers, like they would a smartphone or tablet.

But don’t be confused by the size: this certainly isn’t trying to revive the iPod Touch market. No, the Solu runs on a custom Linux kernel called SoluOS that’s heavily reliant on its accompanying cloud storage service entitled SoluCloud.

f13529c5e08b1c48a86a8ef39449a77d_original — Image used with permission by copyright holder

What’s more, for 349 euros you can get a Solu delivered to your doorstep. That’s about $385 for our American readers. But, here’s the catch. Solu practically requires that you sign up for its cloud storage subscription, which offers 2TB of storage for $19 a month or 5TB for $49.

It’s a steep asking price for a service you could probably live without, that is, if the company had included more than 2GB in local storage space. In addition to its limited onboard storage, which the developer says is used solely for storing cache, the Solu bolsters a sharp 1,440 x 1,440 pixel display, an Nvidia Tegra K1 processor, and 4GB of RAM.

Likewise, it has a built-in 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi adapter, Bluetooth 4.0, a 1,200mAh battery, and a nifty USB Type-C port that can be used for both charging and connecting to an external display with the aid of an HDMI adapter.

Thankfully, though the SoluOS is built around Linux, it’s also purportedly capable of running Android apps in addition to its integrated collaborative document-editing tools.

Lastly, if you aren’t burdened by the pesky monthly installments you can order now and expect to receive a Solu next May.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

A freelancer for Digital Trends, Gabe Carey has been covering the intersection of video games and technology since he was 16…

Computing

Power up your tech game this summer with Dell’s top deals: Upgrade for a bargain

Dell Techfest and best tech on sale featured.

One of the best times to upgrade your tech stack, be it your desktop, a new laptop, or some high-resolution monitors, is when great deals are to be had. Well, I'm here to share that thanks to Dell's top deals, you can power up your tech game and have most of the summer to make it happen. Maybe you're happy with your current system or setup. That's excellent, but you're likely considering upgrading somewhere, and that's precisely what these deals are all about. Dell has a smorgasbord of deals on laptops, desktops, gaming desktops, monitors, accessories, and so much more. We'll call out a few of our favorite deals below, but for now, know that you should be shopping this sale if you're interested in anything tech-related.

What summer tech should you buy in Dell's top deals?

Computing

I love the MacBook Pro, but this Windows laptop came surprisingly close

Apple MacBook Pro 16 downward view showing keyboard and speaker.

There are some great machines in the 15-inch laptop category, which has recently been stretched to include the more common 16-inch laptop. The best among them is the Apple MacBook Pro 16, which offers fast performance for tasks like video editing and the longest battery life.

The Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i 16 is aimed not only at other 16-inch Windows laptops but also at the MacBook Pro 16. It offers many of the same benefits but at a lower price. Can it take a place at the top?
Specs and configurations

Computing

How to set an ‘Out of Office’ message in Microsoft Teams

Person using Windows 11 laptop on their lap by the window.

Many people use Microsoft Teams regularly to communicate with colleagues both inside of the office and remotely. It is considered one of the most efficient ways to ensure you can stay in contact with the people on your team, but what if you need to let people know you’re not readily available? Microsoft Teams has a method for you to set up an "Out of Office" status for your profile to let staff members know when you’ll be gone for the afternoon, for several days on vacation, or for an extended period.
Where do I go to set up my ‘Out of Office’ status for Teams?
It is important to note that your Microsoft Teams and Outlook calendars are synced. This includes your out-of-office status and automatic replies. So, whatever you set up in Microsoft Teams will reflect in Outlook. Similarly, you can set up your out-of-office status in Outlook, and it will be reflected in Teams; however, the former has a more straightforward instruction.

First, you can click on your profile icon in Teams and go directly to Schedule an out of office, as a shortcut. This will take you to the settings area where you can proceed. You can also click the three-dot icon next to your profile icon, then go to Settings > General, then scroll down to the bottom of the page. There, you'll find out-of-office settings and click Schedule.