Pandora Open-Source Gaming Handheld Now Shipping [After Two Years, Linux-based Gaming Handheld Finally Out The Door To Lucky Buyers]

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We’ve been following the Pandora open-source Linux-based gaming handheld for awhile, and we’re still fond of it, even though they sent some bullies here to harass a posting I did about it. At any rate, the emulator-friendly little project that could is now coming out.

The Pandora team is currently building a batch of some 4,000 handhelds, and completed ones are already being shipped. One of their forum mods, x68000, received the first mass-produced model, which he showed off with some unboxing pictures.

They’re boasting that the Pandora is the “most powerful gaming handheld” out there, and here’s a look at its stats:

• 600MHz ARM processor
• 430MHz A/V processor
• 110MHz PowerVR GPU processor
• 256MB of RAM
• 512MB of flash memory
• 4.3-inch resistive touchschreen

The little machine is probably closer to a ultra-portable PC than a gaming handheld. It’s running a desktop OS and can surf the web, play music, etc. It’s got roughly the same form factor as the Nintendo DS, albeit a bit bigger. Unlike netbooks and tablets, you can fit it in your pocket. As for the gaming aspect, it’s meant to use emulators of older game consoles and play ROMs.

Pricing is unannounced publicly, and it looks to vary from batch to batch as they work out their economies of scale. Watch their website at open-pandora.org for more information on when you can order another one.