Application tests.
- Firefox3, Chrome, Opera, Tweetdeck and Thwirl all tested perfectly.
- Skype V4.0.0.224 works well but USB or Bluetooth headset is needed. No cam for video.
- YouTube – works well All normal quality YouTube videos tested well in windowed and full-screen mode. All HQ videos tested worked in windowed mode. Many worked perfectly in full-screen mode too. (Always-on battery mode) No HD YouTube support.
- Google Earth (4.2.0205) worked reasonably well in DirectX mode. Certainly not as smooth as on a desktop or laptop but usable.
- Other software tested: Ipoki plugin. Mapfactor Navigator.
Firefox load times.
- Firefox application startup time: 11 seconds.
Page load examples (full script and flash support over Wifi.)
- UMPCPortal: 6-7 seconds
- Google News: 1-2 seconds
- CNN.com 7 seconds
- Facebook 3 seconds to login screen
- uk.yahoo.com: 2 seconds
- Techmeme: 6 seconds
- Gmail (full version): 7 seconds
- Google Reader (633 items): 4 seconds
Overall, page loading times were extremely fast and matched almost exactly, the times seen on the UMID M1.
Gaming.
We haven’t tested any games with the Viliv S5 and due to the relatively poor 3D performance figures, wouldn’t recommend this for modern gaming. Casual gaming will be fun as the controls seem well-placed.
WiFi/Bluetooth quality.
Bluetooth quality was not extensively tested. The system uses BlueSoleil version 5.4.244 which, in our opinion based on a number of devices running the same stack, is stable and easy to use.
We had no problems at all with Wifi configuration or reception. Reception appears to be slightly better than average for UMPCs. The Marvell sd8686 only supports B and G modes.
Missing features: Media Slot, Webcam, MiC
In our opinion the Viliv S5 is capable of running as a Skype client for many hours so the ommision of a MIC or MIC input is a mystery. A Bluetooth headset is the answer here. We also missed a media slot. The S5 could have made a great partner device for previewing and geotagging photos with an SD card slot. A USB SD-Card holder solves the problem. Finally, and linked with the Skype observation, we would have liked to have seen a web cam built in.
Optional accessories.
The accessory pack provided was of very high quality. The leather case (Viliv call is a pouch but we would call it a case) is well made with a plastic clip-in holder for the S5. It also includes a stylus but we don’t expect it to last long before dropping out and getting lost!
Click to enlarge. Full gallery available here.
The car kit comprises a two-part suction mount that we’ve seen and tested before with the Raon Digital Everun. It holds well and adjusted in two directions. Also included in the car kit is a 12V adaptor. Not shown in the photos (but viewable in the photo at the top of this article) is an acrylic protective case. For those with an adventurous spirit, this allows you to protect the device and even use it when protected. It fits easily and holds well.
Who’s the target customer?
The Viliv S5 is squarely targeted at mobile media consumption and in that role it’s a high-class, well-built, flexible, adaptable device. We won’t say that it’s as easy as an Archos device to operate but it’s way more flexible. As Windows 7 nears, the S5 becomes more interesting. Windows 7 supports hardware decoding for H.264 out of the box (we’ve tested it on similar Intel platforms and it works well) and has much better built-in media facilities . The screen resolution is as high as you could sensibly go for a media device of this size and the colour and brightness are great. Its only the glossy screen that needs to be considered if you’re planning to use the device outdoors or by windows (in busses and trains for example.) Battery life for video playback (wifi off) should easily reach over 5 hrs and 6hrs if you are able to enabled the hardware decoding on the chipset. As a music player we expect the device to last over 10 hours. With 60GB storage, there’s enough for a good selection. Its stylish on it’s own and looks great in the case.
As a navigation device the S5 falls a little short in that it doesn’t come pre-installed with any software. The time to get a GPS lock on our device also makes us think about cheaper dedicated options but if it’s a navigation and media center you want in the car, it’s a different matter. We’ve seen the S5 running StreetDeck and it’s an impressive setup. The breakout cable has potential for being permanently wired into a car system. The chipset even supports clone and extended monitors so you could run the navigation software on the device and a video on an extended screen.
As a pocketable web tablet the Viliv has some value but only for web consumption. Text input with the on-screen keyboard is difficult to get comfortable with. Web page quality and load times are really the best you could ever hope for in the market today so if you’re the type that needs to flip through a set of bookmarks or simply track a single web application, this is a good quality, long battery life solution.
The Viliv S5 works as a mobile computer but we found it difficult in table-top mode with an external keyboard. At 50cm you have to increase font sizes a lot and there’s no stand. It’s not ideal but because of it’s excelent standby time, it does make a very good backup computer.
The Viliv S5 doesn’t work well as a traditional tabletPC. The resistive touchscreen is not palm resistant and you’ll have to find a copy of Windows XPTE to load onto it to get a chance to use the tablet input panel. Even then, we’re not sure if the touch drivers are TabletPC compatible. We haven’t tested Windows 7 RC1.
Summary
High quality. Great battery life. Excellent build. Class leading PC portability. Fast, high quality web browsing, high-end video quality and a good range of accessories make the Viliv S5 a confidence-inspiring package for flexible, high quality, mobile media and carPC setups. The on-screen keyboard limits its text input capabilities but its a PC for the pocket and if needed, could be used as a complete desktop system. We’re impressed with the Menlow platform and the significant improvements in battery life over the last generation of ultra mobile platforms. Glossy screen, missing microphone and GPS lock times are things we’d highlight as possible issues and it’s a shame that the mobile browser and digital TV don’t work but all-in-all, it’s a great package and highly recommended for people looking for a pocketable tablet-style, media-focused UMPC.
Pricing and availability
The Viliv S5 is currently available as an exclusive at Dynamism.com where, on the 14th May, they will be offering 400 pre-orders with a special accessory pack included. Car kit, additional battery and leather case along with the Viliv S5 Premium, as reviewed here, for $599.
Many thanks to Viliv for sending the S5 over and being available for questions.
May 11th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
New article: Viliv S5 Premium UMPC. Full review. http://cli.gs/NVMyWD
May 11th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
RT @chippy: New article: Viliv S5 Premium UMPC. Full review. http://cli.gs/NVMyWD
May 11th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
RT @chippy: New article: Viliv S5 Premium UMPC. Full review. http://cli.gs/NVMyWD
May 11th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
I see that Mobilx have removed any mention of Viliv from their website. Is America the only place to get one of these? I was hoping that the one with the keyboard would be released in Europe soon.
Sokonomi Reply:
May 11th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Ive noticed that aswell. And having it sent from conics costs me 100 bucks, so thats a bit steep.
May 11th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
[reading] Viliv S5 Premium UMPC. Full review. | UMPCPortal – The Mobile Internet and Computing Referenc.. http://tinyurl.com/o278rs
May 11th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Chipping under gaming you mention UMID…
Nice review, confirms that I won’t be getting one, though it is nice.
May 11th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
I wish they would have thought twice about the USB location though. wibrain/e-king learned from their mistakes, viliv should too.
My choice was between this device because of its pocketability, and the E-king i1 because of its productivity, but since mobilx has sniped the S5 from their webshop now, I guess theres no more choice to be made for me. :’)
May 11th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Great Review!! I wish I would get one.
May 11th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Probably we’ll have a distribution in Spain of the Viliv s5 in todoumpc.com. This shop says that the model
in the shop probably the ssd with hdspa.
Sokonomi Reply:
May 11th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
SSD might be costly, but it would give the batterylife a nice little extra bump.
I wish I could speak a word of spanish. :’) I have no clue what im paying for if I buy from that site.
May 11th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Sorry for my poor level of english.
May 11th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Just spoken to Dynamism and mine is in today’s post. Luckily this review hasn’t made me want to change my mind!!
May 11th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Found: UMPCPortal: Full review of Viliv S5 http://tinyurl.com/o278rs
May 11th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
It is a very nice device, but my UX380n has still a better performance
Sokonomi Reply:
May 11th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
I hope your wallet has better preformance too.
For some people price matters too.
May 12th, 2009 at 1:29 am
Chippy,
On one previous video i saw that applications were launched by drawing symbols on the screen. Did you test this very interesting UI feature?
Did you open the device? Can the HDD be replaced, for example by SSD and WiMAX
Chippy Reply:
May 12th, 2009 at 10:42 am
Squirrel. There’s no gesture-based s/w on this. You might be thinking of StreetDeck which works nicely on the S5 and includes gesture-based commends.
J Reply:
May 12th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Yes the internal drive can be replaced… I have tested mine with a Mtron MOBI 3000 1.8″ ZIF drive and also a a compact flash card using a zif to CF converter from Addonics.
No idea on the WIMAX tho…
Also the ram cannot be replaced or changed as it is embedded into the board.
squirrel Reply:
May 13th, 2009 at 12:39 am
maybe intel echo peak 5150 (half size)
http://www.intel.com/network/connectivity/products/wireless/wimax/wifi/index.htmusb is needed for wimax (pci-e for wi-fi, but it’s aleady built in)
May 12th, 2009 at 4:40 am
RT @chippy: Found: UMPCPortal: Full review of Viliv S5 http://tinyurl.com/o278rs (KK says: I gotta get one of these with 3G!)
May 12th, 2009 at 5:01 am
@squirrel
I think that is StrokeIt and not the UI
Nice review!
Can you please say a word about Portraitmode (browsing and reading ebooks)?
Chippy Reply:
May 12th, 2009 at 10:41 am
Rotation works although there’s no shortcut button or on-screen menu apart from the Intel graphics software and shortcut. (CTRL-ALT-Cursor keys.)
Touch still works ok.
Because of the vertical viewing angle limitations (it fades quickly when viewed from above), there’s a slight problem because when you hold the device close to the eyes, each eye gets a different color / contrast level. It’s a bit like the effect you get when wearing red/blue 3d glasses. It only occurs when you hold the device close, i think most people could put up with it and some people may not even notice it. It happens with a lot of devices but is more pronounced on hi-res handhelds because you hold the screen closer to the eyes.
Steve
May 12th, 2009 at 9:03 am
Goodd review! It is one more confirmation not to buy this strange device.
Chippy Reply:
May 12th, 2009 at 10:32 am
haha. Like it!
As with all UMPCs and MIDs, form factors and software vary wildly. It’s a very personalised segment of computers. The real personal computer!
May 12th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Hi Chippy
Great review thanks!
Do you have any idea if there’s enough room for an 1.8″ 8mm hdd?? It’s the only thing I need to know before I’ll get mine!
Cheers
May 12th, 2009 at 11:38 am
Great review Chippy,
I see you are planning to test MapFactor Pc Navigator 9 on the S5.
I’m using Pc Navigator 8 on my Aigo and aside from the obvious battery life issue it is working very nicely,
the interface is very well suited to the touch screen (The menus and icons seem to stay the same size no matter what resolution you have the device screen set to) which i think will be a useful feature on the S3 as the resloution is so high.
Even on the Aigo voice commands are clearly heard (which again i think will be better on the S5)
I will be very interested to see your impressions of the Pc Navigator 9 on the S5, from what i have experienced on the Aigo it should make the S5 into a near perfect Navigation device.
May 12th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Chippy,
nice review thanks. Just one question: you know something about the release of S5 with SSD and HSDPA? I didn’t participate to the previous Dynamism rush sale, and I don’t know if to participate in the one on this Thursday, because I was waiting for the device with these features. But if it is a matter to wait too long, it is not a good point to wait.
Chippy Reply:
May 12th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
May, June? No details at the moment. I’m guessing if Viliv are focusing on north america right now that European (HSDPA) launch could get pushed out into June.
S
May 12th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
I’ve just received my S5 from Dynamism. Now just why does the US distribution not include that nifty plastic encasing? Alas, it would have been perfect for some of my work related use. Any chance you’ll sell yours?
Chippy Reply:
May 12th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Its not mine. All on loan from Viliv! Sorry.
S
May 12th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Thanks Chippy,
if it is few months to see available the HSDPA and SSD it’s worth it to wait. Since with an eventual USB modem would be not so confortable to handle for the USB position.
May 12th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
I had a chance to look at this up close in South Korea last week. It does feel pretty solid and the touchscreen was precise. The reason I didn’t purchase it was the resolution was way too small for my old eyes. It may appeal to you younger folks… The price came to $531 after the conversion which is more than I had guessed.
Chippy Reply:
May 13th, 2009 at 12:32 am
Hi DK. It’s a good point.
It’s not the resolution that’s too high, it’s the default font size in pixels (or ‘points’) that’s too small.
There’s a setting in all versions of Windows (from XP and up, and most other desktop OS’) that allows you to boost the default font size which results in bigger fonts that are the same size as on bigger screens (actually screens with a lower pixels-per-inch to be more accurate) but better defined.
The only downside to this is that you lose the ability to put a lot of text of the screen and that some applications don’t play well with the settings.
May 12th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
I wrote an email to viliv about 2 weeks ago asking them when the S5 Premium Air will be available in the US and europe and thats what they answeared:
…..
We don’t release yet S5 Air/S7 with SSD and HSDPA in Europe and USA.
(we are talking about several potential partners about launching date and the price of S5 but we haven’t decide it yet)
…..
Velik Reply:
May 13th, 2009 at 2:48 am
Do they have an english version of that site? did you just scour the page for an email?
Michael Reply:
May 13th, 2009 at 4:54 am
yes they do, but there is still much under construction…
http://www.myviliv.com/eng/index.html
May 13th, 2009 at 12:55 am
I don’t know… it seems that waiting for a more pocketable and functional Tegra Windows Mobile (or Android) phone seems like the better solution.
http://www.nvidia.com/object/mobile_games_demos.html
May 13th, 2009 at 2:13 am
Yes, we all think about ARM Cortex (Tegra=ARM Cortex+GeForce+UI), so let’s wait Computex (June 2-6) where Nvidia promise to say when the devices on it will be lauched
squirrel Reply:
May 13th, 2009 at 2:28 am
Sorry, Tegra is based on ARM11, so it’s not so interesting for universal MID, more for 1080p video and 3D graphics
May 13th, 2009 at 2:56 am
I know this isnt exactly built for any kind of gaming, but I’d really like to see “Quake 3 Arena” benchmarked, i would think even an underpowered machine could handle it.
May 13th, 2009 at 10:49 am
What??? No Mic and no SD/Micro SD slot? Even the PSP has a memory slot (granted it’s the stupid Memory Stick).
Uggh, why make such a great device and not include those things. Seems like a no brainer. Geez, at least include it in the Premium models.
Now the hard decision, go for the current model or wait until they fix these glaring annoying problems.
Marc Reply:
May 13th, 2009 at 10:57 am
No Mic I can live with, no memory card slot is silly, but I can get over it.
After five minutes with this device (just arrived in UK from Dynamism) and I have to say I’m pretty impressed, the build is great and XP seems to just work. The potential deal breaker for me isn’t the memory card slot, mic or lack of keyboard, it could be the lack of stylus/place to put stylus.
The thing on the lanyard works fine, but it’s already annoying me…
Marc Reply:
May 13th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Oh, and if you are waiting for a card slot and mic, then I think the wait will be long. If they are a problem look for another device…
Sokonomi Reply:
May 13th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Oh wow, really no SD card? Not even microSD? That makes my decision final, E-king i1 it is then. I have about 32gb worth of SD 8gb cards laying around, and not being able to use these them would be a big loss. As for no mic, I guess a bluetooth headset is nicer to use anyway.
Another detail that made me doubt the S5, was the USB port location. The thing would become useless with an external drive hooked up to it. You would be barely able to hold on to it, not to mention typing on it.
May 13th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Had another quick play (I really should be doing some work).
Leather case is very nice, and you can use it as a kick stand (at least on a still surface, would need to test a train), would have been nice if they had made that a deliberate feature like Samsung did with the Q1 case, it wouldn’t have been difficult.
The case does have a stylus and place to put it. Surely that means they realised it would be a good idea to have one in the unit?
So I think I’ll keep it in the case, rather than keep the lanyard on. Neither ideal.
Runs all my normal websites beautifully. Need to see if I can find a way to do an increase zoom in firefox from some kind of shortcut. Default text is a little small. It’s probably mentioned in the review, but browse with firefox and install grab and drag. Perfect!
HD seems to have a regular annoying tick. I think there is a thread on Pocketables on it. Will have to check that later.
May 13th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Seems like they could easily get rid of the antenna and put a stylus silo in it’s place on models exported from the country.
May 13th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Viliv S5 – Premium UMPC – Full review http://bit.ly/OMEgb #UMPC
May 15th, 2009 at 9:19 am
Just bought one of these beauties on dynamism and was wondering if anyone knows of a compatible uk mains adaptor (charger) that I can purchase?
I expect that the default charger will be a 2pin and different voltage than uk
Marc Reply:
May 15th, 2009 at 9:58 am
Power supply is a worldwide 100-240volts so works fine in the UK.
All you need is one of these at a massive $1.92 delivered to the UK. (Be warned dealextreme can be an addictive place):
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.2709
May 16th, 2009 at 8:17 am
Hi guys
Do you think this can play warcraft 3? It’s not really a modern game, considering the age, but I’m not sure if the GPU is able to handle it..
thanks
May 21st, 2009 at 7:32 am
Chippy,
I am wondering how to use the virtual keyboard in a pre boot environment, like for example in Bios or in multi boot menu etc..?
Marc Reply:
May 21st, 2009 at 9:56 am
You couldn’t, you would need a USB keyboard.
In a boot menu, or in the bios, the buttons on the device would provide certain functionality such as cursor control and enter.
June 16th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Is it OANDA software possible on this UMPC ?
August 1st, 2009 at 12:27 am
How much space free after Installing a clean OS? ~28GB?
August 21st, 2009 at 8:09 am
Anybody got any idea if the F-log model from korea means it includes the 3g module? Or we cannot get the S5 with 3g module from korea directly? tks
August 27th, 2009 at 9:39 am
I received my s5 3g from Dynamism. Sadly they only supplied it with the battery charger with only north american type electric socket. That socket is changeable on the battery charger, so they could have supplied it with other regions socket too, especially when people send an order from Europe. That changeable socket part is a very cheap spare part but can be very annoying to the buyers not having that with the device. In my country, in Hungary, we use the german standard of electric socket.
Chippy, is it normal that dynamism sent the s5 with that only north american socke type?
Marc Reply:
August 27th, 2009 at 10:17 am
Dynamism are a US based operation and get the S5s supplied to them for a US market. They choose to sell them internationally, but don’t have the parts for the rest of the world.
I agree it is annoying.
I couldn’t find the correct part and just paid a couple of euros for an adapter. Not sure what you have in Hungary, but something like this should do the trick?
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13525
September 3rd, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Did you test the wireless speed of the built-in marvel wlan adapter? Mine is disappointingly slow. I didn’t read thouhgts about that in this reveiew. Mine is under the factory installed windows xp home only could around 5Mbs (350-450 kbyte/sec file transfer speed tested in totalcommander and netmeter ) which is much below what 54Mbit/s standard in real world condition usually can (2300-2500kbyte/sec).
Chippy, did you notice that wlan bandwith issue? I updated the drivers and was playing all the settings of the wlan card, but nothing helped.
September 6th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Finally since few days I got my S5 3G from Dynamism. The first impresssion is very good even the lack of a onboard microphone and webcam is incomprehensible (I knew anyway) the same for the lack of the card reader, but what has really surprised me is that is not even possible to use the microphone of a headset!!!! (there is only the place for the hearphone jack!!!) So it is necessary to use an USB headset or a Bluetooth one.
The onscreen keybord is ok since I will do mainly a “consumer” use of this device and not a “producer” one.
The 3G works good and was surprisingly positive to find the software to use the device as a cellphone for voice and sms.
The speed of the wireless connection is good.
Another remarks is about the documentation. The manuals are very poor and the support on the website is still not very helping.
Now I am wonderig how to do certain things, like:
- somebody knows how to scroll webpages( and maybe other documents like Word etc.) moving the finger on the touchscreen? I have seen this done on some youtube videos, like the one of the review of JKK. If I do that on the Chrome or Mozilla or IE I got the elements selected instead scrolling pages.
- someone knows how to install the drivers dowloaded from the myviliv website? They are not execurable files, so a not IT expert like me doesn’t know where to put these files.
Thanks
Fra
Fra Reply:
September 6th, 2009 at 11:58 am
ok, about the fact that is not possible to use a headset with microphone is not true!!! I just read this http://forum.pocketables.net/showthread.php?t=3164
Fra
Marc Reply:
September 6th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Use Firefox as your browser and then get the ‘grab and drag’ plugin. It does what you need and makes Firefox the first choice browser for devices like this.
Fra Reply:
September 6th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Thanks Marc I will try. Even my preferred web browser is Chrome. You know if there is the same functionality in it? I guess not till it is still under development. And what about other software like Acrobat Reader, Word etc:?
Fra
Marc Reply:
September 6th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Chrome is my preferred browser too, but as it doesn’t support add-ons it can’t do this and won’t be the first choice for tablet devices until it does.
You also want to get the full screen add-on. It let’s you put a full screen icon on the toolbar. Useful for maximising screen space rather than trying to find it in a menu.
Not looked into other drag scrolling stuff for Windows, but do vaguely remember there being a thread over on Pocketables forums. A quick google suggests this may do the trick if you can adjust the settings??
http://lifehacker.com/399221/mouseimp-pro-makes-scrolling-windows-easier
Fra Reply:
September 6th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Ok Marc thanks again. I will give a look to that link.
Moreover… you know how to use handwriting recognition in windows xp? There are special software or there is something in windows wp?
Fra
Marc Reply:
September 6th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
You need XP Tablet edition to do this.
Sadly you can’t buy it. So you can’t get it unless you have access to MSDN/technet or a ‘unofficial’ source.
There is a way of hacking in XP Tablet functionality onto XP and a website about how to do it somewhere, but I can’t find my link right now! (I’ll have another look in a minute.)
Again this has been discussed in the S5 forum on pocketables. I suggest you go and have a look over there as you’ll find some other useful tips.
Good luck!
September 6th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Here it is:
http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?/topic/21199-tablet-pc-input-panel-for-xp-pro-home-mce-and-original-windows-7-mat/
Quite confusing as they talk about lots of things in one post and the English isn’t perfect.
Fra Reply:
September 6th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
ok, thanks once again Marc.
now I have allot to study
Fra
November 11th, 2009 at 2:12 am
not sure if this has been posted but, I have a problem with the awesome bar on firefox when I use the on screen keyboard. So to fix this I followed the direction here
http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/06/17/dont-think-the-firefox-3-awesome-bar-is-awesome-heres-how-t
and set the value to 2. Now it does not interfere with my keyboard
June 17th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
I really appreciate the effort that was put into this info you have posted.