Comments on: Touchbook Owner Talks about Build Quality Issues.

By: Alter'Nathan

Alter'Nathan — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:09:49 +0000

The one shipped to me had a “small splitting issue” with the lower bevel. I judge it would have broken eventually with continued use, but AI and I will never know due to the fact that mine was STOLEN BY FEDEX when I returned to AI.

Overall I also agree with the writer that the build quality is flimsy and the “Touch” screen is far from responsive, couple that with an inadequate touch pad and it peformed poorly in the human to machine category.

On the plus side are its instant on ( no waiting for a boot up) and simple wifi configuration and long battery life.

The AI’s touch book needs to work some of the bugs out,but I do believe they have something that consumers will want.

By: scythe

scythe — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 08:02:34 +0000

Could you take the magnets off the back of the screen and put them on the bottom of the keyboard when using it as a netbook? It seems like that would help the balance issue significantly.

By: ProDigit

ProDigit — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:47:14 +0000

You talk about an ARM processor, and the device being slow;
Is there any significant battery gain to take note of, or should we go with the Atom which has on average between 4 and 6 hours of battery on a netbook system?

I’ve always been interested in ARM for it’s energy efficiency, but not at the cost of crippled performance.
The ARM powered device IS a powered by a single core, and probably sub 1Ghz processor.

If I don’t see close to 8 hours (or more) of real life battery life under use, I’d say they need to at least chop 1/3rd off of the price of the device.

It may not be possible manufacture wise, but for the end user (consumer) it would not pay off, buying this device over another that would completely outperform it!

By: johnkzin

johnkzin — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:22:06 +0000

some of the hardware issues might get fixed in the second production run … but I agree, software issues are much more forgiveable/tolerable than hardware ones. Especially right now, when the software is pretty much considered to be beta.

It’s rather disappointing to see so many obvious hardware design issues with the first production run.

By: bkos

bkos — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 16:46:08 +0000

http://alwaysinnovating.com/forums/

By: Bap11

Bap11 — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 14:19:47 +0000

I can live with software glitches because, eventually, they will be resolved.
Design issues are another story, however. Imagine typing on the TB, and the whole thing tips over. Now, honestly, how useful is that? And the other design issues that SteveNYC are not minor ones.

Just imagine if the TB ever makes it to retail stores and customers start playing with it. The flaws will be immediately apparent. I can now see why Always Innovating is marketing this thing the way they are – online because they’ll never sell these if consumers get to try it first. And their 15 day return policy barely gives the online user enough time to use it.

By: bkos

bkos — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 14:11:14 +0000

Is there a touchbook community-site (forum)?

By: Britman

Britman — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 07:04:25 +0000

nice write up, any chance of some video footage?

By: Free Gadget

Free Gadget — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 11:42:45 +0000

Ta for the information, very usefull

By: Stephen Feger

Stephen Feger — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:18:58 +0000

Very true with regard to the tweak for the mouse and touchscreen. That’s why I indicated on both points that those were likely to be resolved through software updates. @ripperdesigns on Twitter has been working nonstop on this. He has already addresses the initial difficulties with the WiFi WPA mode as well as the date/time issue and the sensitivity issues on the mouse and touchscreen.

Like I said, I have no doubt that the software will improve.

By: turn_self_off

turn_self_off — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 08:28:59 +0000

not sure they are comparable, as the internal usb ports and cortex cpu makes for a very flexible product…

By: serwei

serwei — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 08:11:04 +0000

Hmmm I think the Smart Q7 is better than. Budget savings are passed on to the consumer.

By: turn_self_off

turn_self_off — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 08:03:46 +0000

i think i read that a recent tweak for the mousepad software also improved the touchscreen, meaning that the touchscreen acts like a very large mousepad…

By: johnkzin

johnkzin — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:35:35 +0000

That’s rather disappointing. You’d think they’d have at last balanced the device’s weight for use in netbook mode. But, creaky cracked build quality of the tablet is a very bad sign.

They’ve waited until late enough in the year that, at this point, I pretty much have to wait and see if the Apple 10″ tablet rumors come true in October.

By: Stephen Feger

Stephen Feger — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 01:08:11 +0000

Damn. You’re right. Don’t I feel like the fool. I knew that too. Argghh.

Well, you can take that off the list of issues I had. That one makes sense.