Kohjinsha SK3 Launched. Chippy’s Thoughts.

Posted on 23 June 2009, Last updated on 12 November 2019 by

The Kohjinsha SK3 that we reported on yesterday has been formally launched for the Japanese market at a local price, including taxes, of about $730. Before I put some thoughts down though, here are the full specs:

sk3-5

sk3-6

sk3-7

  • Model id SK3KX06GA
  • CPU type Intel Atom (Silverthorne)
  • CPU speed 1330 Mhz
  • Graphics Intel GMA 500
  • OS Windows XP Home
  • Display Size 7″ 1024 X 600
  • RAM 1024 MB
  • Hard Disk 60 GB, 1.8 inch, 4200RPM
  • Battery capacity 17 (Wh)
  • Claimed battery life 3.2hrs (Jeita test)
  • Weight 720g
  • Size (w/h/d mm) 193/132/30 mm

Physical Interfaces

  • ExpressCard/34
  • Ethernet 10/100
  • VGA
  • Line-out / Headphone
  • Multi-format card reader
  • MIC-in
  • Micro SD slot
  • USB2.0 (x2)

Wireless Interfaces

  • 802.11b/g/n
  • BT2.0

Additional Specs

  • WebCam
  • WebCam 3.0mp
  • GPS

We’re clearly looking at the evolution of a good quality ultra mobile PC here. The SC3 was well built and had an excellent (arguably the best in the market) screen making it downright stunning for 720p playback and very useful for high-end navigation duties. The SK3 will be just as good if it has the same screen. The size reductions are quite considerable considering it’s got a swivel screen and the weight reduction to 720g is class-leading for a 7 inch ‘laptop.’ It will be noticeable if you’re using it with one hand. The local price of $733 seems reasonable considering the huge array of connectivity options that the SK3 offers. Finally, it looks Kohjinsha might have changed the keyboard slightly. If i’m not mistaken it’s taken cues from the Everun Note keyboard and enlarged the main character keys. This will help a lot.

On the negative side we can’t ignore the extremely disappointing battery life figures. 3.2hrs battery life on a Jeita-based test is nothing exciting at all and will translate to between 2 and 2.5 hours, possibly less under heavy load. The battery pack is a tiny 17wh and there’s no indication of an extended battery option. This alone is going to be the deal breaker for many. Add the fact that it’s running a 4200 1.8 inch 60GB hard drive too and you’ve got too very significant reasons not to buy this and to wait for the Viliv S7 (much much bigger battery and battery life, bigger keyboard, ssd options) or even to go for the Viliv X70 and buy a portable keyboard.

Kohjinsha have a habit of creating impressive designs but losing focus on battery life. Two years ago when the SH8 was released I expressed disappointment at the 2hr battery life. That was 2 generations of device ago. Then, the SC3 was released and it was at that point we decided to run a poll. Under 3% of people found 2hrs to be an acceptable battery life. It looks like the SK3 won’t be much better and with new UMPCs turning in 5hr+ battery life, it appears worse than ever before.

We’ll be tracking specs, links and details in the SK3 information page. There’ are already a set of images in the gallery.

6 Comments For This Post

  1. Steve 'Chippy' Paine says:

    New article: Kohjinsha SK3 Launched. Chippy’s Thoughts. http://cli.gs/JMSV1

  2. vk77de says:

    Looks OK, but probably won’t pass into my jackets pocket

  3. bearnheart says:

    I agree. I was looking for a replacement of my old HP Jornada 690 with battery life for the whole working day. I want a mobile device I can take with me. But what is the advantage to carry a device around if it can not work because it ran out of power? Better to leave it at home instead of carrying extra weight without usage.

  4. sidolus says:

    I can’t agree with you, bearnhart,
    You won’t find any device of that size, which could have more battery power (time)..
    I’ve thought for a while about this problem…
    The imortant thing where we have to look, is just;:
    Is the battery changeable?
    Is ist possible tu buy more batteries?
    If Yes, where is the problem?
    Much more unusable is to me the fact, that the sold devices today need a long time to start!

  5. bearnheart says:

    @sidolus: I guess you are right. I have the same strategy for my DELL XT2 tabletpc: more batteries.
    With the Size (w/h/d mm) 193/132/30 mm
    the inner tape measure =
    132 mm x2 + 30 mm x2 = 324 mm [ 324 / 2 = 16,2 ].
    This is not fitting a 16 cm jacket pocket, but a 17 cm pocket upwards.
    The size is nice if you want to carry it in another case or so.
    In 2002 I bought a 1kg Libretto v1100ff from Korea and considered to buy a shoulder holster for it ;-)

  6. Samella Morera says:

    Where can iPad apps?

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