OESF Portables Forum
General Forums => General Discussion => Topic started by: zmiq2 on March 05, 2007, 04:58:01 pm
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It seems that some pictures of the long awaited and announced Flipstart clamshell umpc have 'leaked'.
http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9693554-1...feed&subj=Crave (http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9693554-1.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=Crave)
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It seems that some pictures of the long awaited and announced Flipstart clamshell umpc have 'leaked'.
http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9693554-1...feed&subj=Crave (http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9693554-1.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=Crave)
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=155456\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]
Oh man! That is one chunky unit. That one actually looks painful to put in your pocket.
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One would have to buy a new wardrobe of cacky cargo pants.
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For $1999, I would hope that it comes with a dufflebag of crack, a pony, a bowl of soup, a haircut, something...
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it's only a few years late being released. ie it was vapourware for years, so I wonder how many months late the delivery is when you order one... some goes for the OQO... ,y advice, stay away from these vapourware/dodgyware products that will die/become obsolete even before they even are finished designing/production...
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It seems that some pictures of the long awaited and announced Flipstart clamshell umpc have 'leaked'.
http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9693554-1...feed&subj=Crave (http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9693554-1.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=Crave)
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=155456\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]
Following the URL in the Crave article, I can't see the original review. Pulled that quickly?
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It's too thick. How am i going to squeeze that in my back pocket. Might as well use a laptop.
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for 2,000 us?? c'mon. That's a macbook, a linux smartphone and change. This sin't even a serious try.
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for 2,000 us?? c'mon. That's a macbook, a linux smartphone and change. This sin't even a serious try.
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=155503\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]
yeah, the damn OQO originally cost $2000 when it was first released and had no competitors back then, but nowodays, there's plenty of UMPCs to choose from and asking for such a high price is just plain stupid. it's not even the top model out there...
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I'm looking at either a Flipstart or a Sony UX.
Flipstart PRO:
Narrower than a UX, makes the keyboard easier to use.
Keyboard is nicer - wider spacing, keys aren't as flush
CLAMSHELL.
Battery life (~5hrs?)
Just small enough to fit in my coat pocket (where the Z is now)
Doesn't need docking stationt for the screen to be visible when on a desk.
Flipstart CON:
1.8 lbs - 816g (!!!!) Even if it did fit in the pocket, I wouldn't want it there.
Ram - only 512mb
Limited options on the docking station.
No touchscreen
Older processor/Chipset (1.1ghz P-M, 915Chipset vs the Core Solo/945 chipset in the US)
Limited options on docking station.
Vulcan's (lack of) product track record
No media card slots
Price (~2400CAD/~2000US)
Sony UX PRO:
1gb ram
Touchscreen
Great docking station.
Newer proc/chipset (Core Solo/945)
Price (~1888 CAD)
Media slots (CF/MSproDuo)
Weight (~520g)
Product availability and company commitment to product line (Lots of product refreshes, real international availability. You can buy these things in Canada now - I've played with one in the store!)
Sony UX CON:
Form-factor != Clamshell=badbadbad
Will not fit in pocket =(
Keyboard - closely spaced keys and wide device make thumb-typing a strain
Needs a stand to set it up on a desk
Battery Life (~3.5hrs)
I've come to the conclusion that Vulcan is obviously trying to screw with me. The Flipstart as was originally announced is as close to the perfect form factor as you're going to get. Even with the .3in increase in thickness it would be okay, but at 816g it's too heavy. It also lacks a touchscreen, and at this price I weep that it only has 512mb of ram. For $1000 less I could get the same specs in the UX.
On the other hand, the Sony UX has nearly the perfect guts. Light and fast, with a modern chipset and a gig of ram. It's a beautiful thing to use and it has better expansion options. If they made it in a clamshell form factor I'd buy one instantly and never look back. Unfortunately, I don't like the slider form factor much at all, and the keyboard suffers greatly because of it.
Aagh.
I think I'm going to have to buy the Sony now and wait till Vulcan comes out with a V2 of the flipstart. The current one is too heavy and too expensive for what you get. If it had 1gb of ram or was cheaper I could deal with it but, if the leaked specs and price are correct, it'll be a no go for me.
And that genuinely makes me sad. How long is it going to be before someone gets it right?
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Looks more like a NSMPC ... NotSoMobilePC ...
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Looks very ugly; why after 4yr of the firt c700 can't anyone fit a more powerful cpu, more ram and wifi/bluetooth inside the Z?
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After watching the slideshow over at the PCMag.com review, I realized that the VaporStart (I mean the FlipStart..) is really just a reincarnation of the lil' ol' 1998 vintage IBM PC110 that I had for a few weeks a year ago!!!
The same 'cute chunky' design, but about twice as heavy....
Thing is that I only paid a few hundred bucks to get the PC110...
As they say, "What goes around, comes around".....
PS. Kahm you should look at that other lil' TPC design that may be coming out in the not too distant future, US702W...seems like it would give the best of both worlds, clamshell or tablet usage....
http://www.wretch.cc/blog/huangtei&article_id=6120021 (http://www.wretch.cc/blog/huangtei&article_id=6120021)
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As they say, "What goes around, comes around".....
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=155570\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]
Even the 80's styles have come back *shudder*
(sorry if I offended anyone wearing acid-washed jeans)
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I took a look at the picture and though "what a dumb photo, there's a drop shadow which makes it look really thick".. and on looking closer realised the bottom case is actually two tone. Or am I seeing things?
This thing is hugely overpriced. You could buy a Kohjinsha (sp?) or a SonyTX or a Sony UX with a Nokia tablet for fun, along with a 3G/GSM/GPRS/EDGE data card and still have change to pay the cellphone data charges for 6 months!
IF this thing had come out two years ago when it would have been the only kid on the block, it might have achieved some market impact, but I think it's just a joke!
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PS. Kahm you should look at that other lil' TPC design that may be coming out in the not too distant future, US702W...seems like it would give the best of both worlds, clamshell or tablet usage....
http://www.wretch.cc/blog/huangtei&article_id=6120021 (http://www.wretch.cc/blog/huangtei&article_id=6120021)
[div align=\"right\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div] (http://index.php?act=findpost&pid=155570\")
oooh, been reading and suffered instant lust
found some more info:
[a href=\"http://onlyumpc.com/tag/us702]http://onlyumpc.com/tag/us702[/url]
http://www.umpcportal.com/journal/2007/01/...eries-umpc.html (http://www.umpcportal.com/journal/2007/01/more-on-new-us-700-series-umpc.html)
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PS. Kahm you should look at that other lil' TPC design that may be coming out in the not too distant future, US702W...seems like it would give the best of both worlds, clamshell or tablet usage....
http://www.wretch.cc/blog/huangtei&article_id=6120021 (http://www.wretch.cc/blog/huangtei&article_id=6120021)
[div align=\"right\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div] (http://index.php?act=findpost&pid=155570\")
oooh, been reading and suffered instant lust
found some more info:
[a href=\"http://onlyumpc.com/tag/us702]http://onlyumpc.com/tag/us702[/url]
http://www.umpcportal.com/journal/2007/01/...eries-umpc.html (http://www.umpcportal.com/journal/2007/01/more-on-new-us-700-series-umpc.html)
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=155594\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]
Still couldn't find anything on price...
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OK, kahm, better have your pampers on....
video of actual FlipStart!!!!.....
http://jkontherun.blogs.com/jkontherun/ (http://jkontherun.blogs.com/jkontherun/)
Check it out!!
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the jkOTR video is v good for showing realistic use... makes me think I was overly damning. still, want to know how well it would run linux.. and whether there'd be a UMTS/3G version of the flipstart for the Uk & Europe.
specs here, with sizes. hmm, backlit keyboard!
http://www.flipstart.com/specifications.html (http://www.flipstart.com/specifications.html)
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the jkOTR video is v good for showing realistic use... makes me think I was overly damning. still, want to know how well it would run linux.. and whether there'd be a UMTS/3G version of the flipstart for the Uk & Europe.
specs here, with sizes. hmm, backlit keyboard!
http://www.flipstart.com/specifications.html (http://www.flipstart.com/specifications.html)
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=155716\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]
Still ... with that kind of money ... one could get a pepperpad, a zaurus and a cheap notebook!
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They sent me an Email that you can "Reserve your Flipstart Now".
For a screenshot of the email and a bit more info: http://www.tyrannozaurus.com/?q=node/488 (http://www.tyrannozaurus.com/?q=node/488)
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They sent me an Email that you can "Reserve your Flipstart Now".
For a screenshot of the email and a bit more info: http://www.tyrannozaurus.com/?q=node/488 (http://www.tyrannozaurus.com/?q=node/488)
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=156336\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]
Its their way of "locking you in" by promising you that you will get one and making you stop looking for other better devices since you are feeling that you got one on reserve. Otherwise you probably would had gone and found something else in the meantime since you probably need to wait a few months because you have it reserved and then when it is finally available, you will need to wait a further few months until your reservation gets to the top of their order processing and then another few months for them to get stock....
seen this kind of crap happening too often and I am not prepared to wait for stuff that will be half obsolete by the time it is available...
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They sent me an Email that you can "Reserve your Flipstart Now".
For a screenshot of the email and a bit more info: http://www.tyrannozaurus.com/?q=node/488 (http://www.tyrannozaurus.com/?q=node/488)
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=156336\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]
Its their way of "locking you in" by promising you that you will get one and making you stop looking for other better devices since you are feeling that you got one on reserve. Otherwise you probably would had gone and found something else in the meantime since you probably need to wait a few months because you have it reserved and then when it is finally available, you will need to wait a further few months until your reservation gets to the top of their order processing and then another few months for them to get stock....
seen this kind of crap happening too often and I am not prepared to wait for stuff that will be half obsolete by the time it is available...
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=156338\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]
LMAO. OQO really pissed you off, huh?
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First word that comes to my mind when I see the Flipstart is "potato".
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The US702 is beautiful indeed, but too big. If I were in the market for another Libretto-like unit it would be perfect.
I've seen that JKOTR video - The Flipstart looks very interesting.
The Flipstart with the slim battery is what I want. I'm just afraid it will cost $3000 to get it - I could almost buy *2* Sony UXs for that price ;_;
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The US702 is beautiful indeed, but too big. If I were in the market for another Libretto-like unit it would be perfect.
I've seen that JKOTR video - The Flipstart looks very interesting.
The Flipstart with the slim battery is what I want. I'm just afraid it will cost $3000 to get it - I could almost buy *2* Sony UXs for that price ;_;
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=157052\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]
I'd love to see a US702 in person and try it out...looks like Libretto-like sizewize...
The FlipStart is intriguing to me in many ways, only wish I have for it is that it come with at least 1GB RAM, larger HD, and touchscreen....
Don't understand though, kahm, how you get up to $3K for FlipStart with slim battery?? FlipStart with large battery is $2K.
Don't think they'll charge $1K for slim battery??
Or are you outside USA and thus including import fees, etc???
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Incase your interested... the Flipstart is for sale now: http://www.tyrannozaurus.com/?q=node/582 (http://www.tyrannozaurus.com/?q=node/582)
I screen cap of the email is attached.
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I'm adding a donation button to my website just in case someone wants to buy me one
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Doesn't 3 hours battery life seem altogether too short?
I think I'll stick with the zaurus for the moment!
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I see the flipstart has come down in price to a "mere" US$1500.
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...for which price you can get a decent desktop, a monitor, and a Zaurus with numerous accessories, while still having some money left over.
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...for which price you can get a decent desktop, a monitor, and a Zaurus with numerous accessories, while still having some money left over.
or a Laptop, a Z, and a phone (and BT & wifi cards)..and if you are careful maybe even an external drive.
Yeah, I wouldn't walk around with that much cash on a regular basis, and cash is comparatively tough- you can drop it and put it through the wash and it still spends just fine, in fact you can store it almost indefinitely and it doesn't become obsolete (usually).
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I see the flipstart has come down in price to a "mere" US$1500.
You should get two of them at that price....
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I see the flipstart has come down in price to a "mere" US$1500.
Ya. they really missed the boat with this device.
the Fujitsu U1010 (A.K.A. U810) looks like a similar device except it's $1000 and arguably better.
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I wouldn't walk around with that much cash...cash is comparatively tough... and it doesn't become obsolete (usually).
erm, the dollar is IS trying to do that at the moment, I'd take euros instead please
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flipstart close-out sale?
http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/16/flipsta...little-worried/ (http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/16/flipstart-retail-price-nosedives-were-a-little-worried/)
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flipstart close-out sale?
http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/16/flipsta...little-worried/ (http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/16/flipstart-retail-price-nosedives-were-a-little-worried/)
I've been thinking for awhile about posting, but hadn't gotten around to it, but,
I'm a "semi-early adopter", having bought one at the last price reduction ($1500)-
would anyone be interested in a mini-review? or a full-indepth review?
From a Linux/ha[c|k|q|x]/Zaurer/geek perspective???
I will give you a one-line, 16-char review-
($700? great )
_______________
slightly extended:
It's an evolutionary update to the Z design.
It's pocketable(*).
It has a functional keyboard.
It's faster than a Z and more capable.
Nearly all hardware (except for camera) is supported(*)
It's probably not the Z-killer you dreamed of.
If pocketability + keyboard + linux are your main criteria, its probably worth the $700
(*) some caveats. will post more if any one wants.
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Just saw the news ... think they did themselves in on this one. Got too greedy with pricing + suddenly avalanche of sub-$1k umpcs totally change the whole landscape.
If they don't dump their stock now, they will become very exp door stops in no time. Esp when Asus is so aggressive with its sales and marketing of the eeepc!
Anyway, at $699, I would probably not get it as well. It's too fat and bulky.
I'll get the eeepc with that $.
Think they are dropping stock at cost price. ... ...
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For 1999 that is too expensive for its specs. I have the Sony UX 390 and although it isnt a clamshell I still love it. Woot.com had a deal about 3 days ago for a 390N for 1299 and that was a really great deal for what you are getting.
Edit: just saw the closeout. 699 is a good deal i think for what you are getting
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For 1999 that is too expensive for its specs. I have the Sony UX 390 and although it isnt a clamshell I still love it. Woot.com had a deal about 3 days ago for a 390N for 1299 and that was a really great deal for what you are getting.
Is $699 still too much for the FS' specs?
[!--quoteo(post=0:date=:name=snappy)--][div class=\'quotetop\']QUOTE(snappy)[/div][div class=\'quotemain\'][!--quotec--]If they don't dump their stock now, they will become very exp door stops in no time. Esp when Asus is so aggressive with its sales and marketing of the eeepc!
Anyway, at $699, I would probably not get it as well. It's too fat and bulky. tongue.gif[/quote]
While I'd agree: FS is too fat and bulky, it's hella lot less fat and bulky than the eepc
eepc is probably a much better "general purpose small notebook", and cheaper only helps-
but if it can't be stowed in a pants or jacket pocket, to me that makes it a different class of device-
from those (like Zaurus, UX, OQO, FS, (Fujitsu??)) which can.
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I'm definitely interested, if I didn't have an ultraportable already I'd be considering it strongly.
What's the keyboard like compared to the FUjitsu u810/u1010/u8240??
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I'm definitely interested, if I didn't have an ultraportable already I'd be considering it strongly.
What's the keyboard like compared to the FUjitsu u810/u1010/u8240??
I've only ogled and poked at one very briefly at the local Frys;
I would say, Fujitsu's kb is probably better than the FS.
The keys seem sculpted, and larger even if there's very little travel.
FS keyboard is.... larger than the Zaurus, but all-in-all about equally annoying
Not really a step up or a step down, imo.
Sony/OQO in comparison, are both smaller and less usable.
What bugs me about the Fujitsu is... its total volume. e.g. "just a little too big".
Did you end up with one of them?
I might have a dubious proposal if you do...
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What's the keyboard like compared to the FUjitsu u810/u1010/u8240??
What bugs me about the Fujitsu is... its total volume. e.g. "just a little too big".
Did you end up with one of them?
I might have a dubious proposal if you do...
erm, at the moment we're just finishing extending/renovating our home, so there's no money for gadgets
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still no one have bought this flipstart ?
i'm looking for some reports
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still no one have bought this flipstart ?
I'm trying to get one from dynamism, but they are not very dynamic in sorting out our order from the UK...
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Skipped on the flipstart after reading some very pointed reviews. Went for the UX280, loving it. ALMOST picked up a U810 though ... it was SOOOOOO close.
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Skipped on the flipstart after reading some very pointed reviews. Went for the UX280, loving it. ALMOST picked up a U810 though ... it was SOOOOOO close.
congrats!
i was looking for an ux280 and finally i found a Fujitsu U1010
by the way i've to say goodbye to the zaurus world
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Skipped on the flipstart after reading some very pointed reviews. Went for the UX280, loving it. ALMOST picked up a U810 though ... it was SOOOOOO close.
congrats!
i was looking for an ux280 and finally i found a Fujitsu U1010
by the way i've to say goodbye to the zaurus world
Sorry, to see you go, jpmatrix!!
It may not happen to you, but after selling my 3200, I really missed it....
It took awhile, but I finally ordered another one a week ago, so my new Z will be here next week!!!
So, just warning you about selling your Z............
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The flipstart is just too ugly. When a thin flipstart2 comes out, I'll check it out.
The 4th Q of this year is going to be sickening with all the cool small gadgets coming out. I just hope that we get a clamshell.
I love the u810, especially the "StormTrooper" style u1010, but will likely get the p1620/kohjinsha sr8 at some point over the next couple months.
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The 4th Q of this year is going to be sickening
maybe expensive, but sickening? I can still find new things to do with my Zaurus and N800, even though you might think I'd be bored by now - there's a lot of things I do, or experiment with, that would be easy on a full laptop, but being able to do it on a portable device is so much more fun! Like everyone, I wish these devices had faster CPU, more memory, more storage, longer battery life, lighter weight, etc, but each new device has new compromises!
the flipstart seemed so promising, but turned out to be a big slab. the vulcan is still vapourware. the only UMPC that really interests me is the Fujitsu but the keyboard IMHO is its achilles heel!
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sickeningly sweet
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... the only UMPC that really interests me is the Fujitsu but the keyboard IMHO is its achilles heel!
well, after some days of using it (i'm talking about the fujitsu), i think you can easily get used to its keyboard....or you can attach an usb or bluetooth keyboard at now i've bought a bt mouse and i also attach a keyboard via usb and at least at home you have a great device!
and on move, you can also use the stylus (just like a zaurus!) with instant writing recognition
just my 50 cent
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@raduga : I understand you put linux on it, right ?
Which distro did you choose ?
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@raduga : I understand you put linux on it, right ?
Which distro did you choose ?
FWIW, I put 2 distros on my U810...
1) andLinux that runs from within Windows and
2) Debian
Now, working on LFS (LinuxFromScratch).....
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... the only UMPC that really interests me is the Fujitsu but the keyboard IMHO is its achilles heel!
well, after some days of using it (i'm talking about the fujitsu), i think you can easily get used to its keyboard....or you can attach an usb or bluetooth keyboard at now i've bought a bt mouse and i also attach a keyboard via usb and at least at home you have a great device!
and on move, you can also use the stylus (just like a zaurus!) with instant writing recognition
not sure whether to laugh or not. so, you buy an all-in-one pocketable PC and then carry an external keyboard? might as well carry a nokia 800 with bluetooth mini keyboard/trackball and run standard non-hacky X11 UI (i.e. not maemo) linux, or some other UMPC without keyboard.
I note that the Sony UX series haven't featured particularly highly, which is interesting, perhaps most people who've played with one realised they're just toys!
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not sure whether to laugh or not. so, you buy an all-in-one pocketable PC and then carry an external keyboard? might as well carry a nokia 800 with bluetooth mini keyboard/trackball and run standard non-hacky X11 UI (i.e. not maemo) linux, or some other UMPC without keyboard.
I note that the Sony UX series haven't featured particularly highly, which is interesting, perhaps most people who've played with one realised they're just toys!
i was talking at home, if you read me well
you know yesterday night, i find myself typing on my fujitsu keyboard as if it was an actual big keyboard so i think once you get used to it the keyboard of the fujitsu is really good...
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well, I've been reading the reviews of the HP2133 mini, http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/08/hp-mini...ially-official/ (http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/08/hp-mini-note-2133-officially-official/) , and it seems to be the device that beats the eee, the kohjinsha/vye on price and quality, and the fujitsu on keyboard.
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well, I've been reading the reviews of the HP2133 mini, http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/08/hp-mini...ially-official/ (http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/08/hp-mini-note-2133-officially-official/) , and it seems to be the device that beats the eee, the kohjinsha/vye on price and quality, and the fujitsu on keyboard.
well,
it's bigger than the fujitsu : 255 x 165 x 27 mm while the fujitsu is (only) 171mm (W) x 133mm (D) x 26.5-32.0mm (H)
that was my main concern when i choosed the fufu instead of the eee