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Author Topic: Flipstart - New Toy For Geeks?  (Read 37095 times)

zmiq2

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Flipstart - New Toy For Geeks?
« on: March 05, 2007, 04:58:01 pm »
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
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HoloVector

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Flipstart - New Toy For Geeks?
« Reply #1 on: March 05, 2007, 07:15:07 pm »
Quote
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
[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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Antikx

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Flipstart - New Toy For Geeks?
« Reply #2 on: March 05, 2007, 07:35:10 pm »
One would have to buy a new wardrobe of cacky cargo pants.
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Ling

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Flipstart - New Toy For Geeks?
« Reply #3 on: March 05, 2007, 08:09:28 pm »
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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Meanie

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Flipstart - New Toy For Geeks?
« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2007, 09:36:39 pm »
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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brashley46

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Flipstart - New Toy For Geeks?
« Reply #5 on: March 05, 2007, 10:11:20 pm »
Quote
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
[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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Cresho

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Flipstart - New Toy For Geeks?
« Reply #6 on: March 05, 2007, 11:38:09 pm »
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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adf

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Flipstart - New Toy For Geeks?
« Reply #7 on: March 06, 2007, 12:57:27 am »
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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Meanie

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Flipstart - New Toy For Geeks?
« Reply #8 on: March 06, 2007, 01:10:08 am »
Quote
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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kahm

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Flipstart - New Toy For Geeks?
« Reply #9 on: March 06, 2007, 01:36:53 am »
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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Snappy

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Flipstart - New Toy For Geeks?
« Reply #10 on: March 06, 2007, 10:51:31 am »
Looks more like a NSMPC ... NotSoMobilePC ...
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zmiq2

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Flipstart - New Toy For Geeks?
« Reply #11 on: March 06, 2007, 11:12:39 am »
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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ArchiMark

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Flipstart - New Toy For Geeks?
« Reply #12 on: March 06, 2007, 12:03:25 pm »
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
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Antikx

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Flipstart - New Toy For Geeks?
« Reply #13 on: March 06, 2007, 01:39:06 pm »
Quote
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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speculatrix

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Flipstart - New Toy For Geeks?
« Reply #14 on: March 06, 2007, 05:18:51 pm »
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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