Many sites are talking about how the Eee T91 [Portal page] is the one first tablet netbooks to be released, but the reality is that there have been several before it, and it is really only a first for Asus. Case in point, the Gigabyte TouchNote T1028M [Portal page], which Chippy has spent a good amount of time with, has been around for a while, though it is just now heading for the US.
One of the reasons that some sites covered the T91 as one of the first tablet netbooks is because Gigabyte doesn’t quite market their T1028M as a netbook (which is one of several similar devices that have come before the T91); instead referring to it as a TouchNote. Though just because they don’t market it with the netbook term doesn’t mean it isn’t priced and built to compete. In fact the TouchNote has a faster CPU, and an optional 1366×768 screen resolution (among other things) making it a worthy contender, and it looks like you can start to buy them for $599 in the US.
While the Gigabyte T1028M more directly competes with the upcoming Asus Eee T101H [Portal page] with its 10.1” screen, you can always look toward the Gigabyte M912X [Portal page] if you really want an 8.9” screen and Dynamism can hook you up here in the US.
July 17th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
New article: Gigabyte TouchNote T1028M comes to the US http://cli.gs/e3J8N
July 18th, 2009 at 12:28 am
When is the Touchnote T1028X going to be available with the higher res screen? I’m waiting for that.
Chippy Reply:
July 20th, 2009 at 11:18 am
It was shown at Computex and I estimated August but I haven’t seen it yet.
Steve.
tHe-BiNk Reply:
July 20th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Let’s hope the high resolution version will turn up soon. I have been waiting for months. However, it would not surprise me that they will wait another couple of months for Windows 7 and release a multi-touch version of the high resolution T1028.
July 18th, 2009 at 3:24 am
As long as a netbook tablet (especially, a 8.9″ one which I have been waiting for) does not offer a built-in GPS and a multitouch screen and of course a possibility of 3G, it really is not that interesting.
Correct me if I am wrong but if we are talking tablets, especially those without a keyboard, we do need to have a multitouch screen. And if we do not want to multiply our gadgets, such tablets do need to offer a buil-in GPS and some sort of a 3G option.
And what really puzzles me: all the technology is already available, we can find different combinations of the three features (only three!) in some netbooks on the market … so when? finally when will someone bring the full package to the market in the 8.9″ form factor???
July 18th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
I use to require devices to have 3g built in (I hate usb /pcmcia/ express 3g cards they just get in the way) However since starting to using a MiFi this has all changed, the only problem is battery life. When working remote I am usually away from any normal connection and relay on 3G all day. I think a device like the MiFi with 8-10 hrs of battery life it would be perfect to keep in the bag and create a nice wifi bubble around you for all different devices.
Chippy Reply:
July 20th, 2009 at 11:20 am
The Mifi / Touchnote / u20 powerbank combo is a good one.
http://www.umpcportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/u201.jpg
Steve
July 21st, 2009 at 10:43 am
ちなみにUSで販売されてるのはWXGA（1366×768ドット）だったりする。 見てる：Gigabyte TouchNote T1028M comes to the US | UMPCPortal http://bit.ly/16TJiG