Apart from a brief mention in the weekly update a few days ago, we haven’t written about the EviGroup Pad yet.
It’s effectively a 10.6 inch, 1kg netbook without the keyboard. It uses the same N270 CPU as in a netbook and includes a 2.5″ 160GB drive. We should also highlight that it has 3G included and runs Windows 7 Premium (is that Home Premium?) with the Seline10 software suite.
More details on the EviGroup Pad in our product database.
I’m seeing a device that’s much like a bigger Samsung Q1 EX here and in many ways its a similar, slightly better, device. This isn’t a breakthrough product by any means but its certainly relatively unique. Archos 9, Viliv X70 and eviGroup Pad face-off would make a good live session!
One thing that needs to be discussed is the battery life. Here’s what Nicolas Ruiz told us in an email today:
Battery life is average 3hrs/3h30. If you use the tablet with Aero, 100% lumi,
and 3g and go to youtube, the battery life is 2h15
That’s an honest figure there. Similar to many other tablet PCs that are quoted as four-hour devices. When you pump the backlight up and turn on 3G you can easily double the battery drain on a device.
The pricing is relatively high compared to netbooks, but low compared to many tablets. Despite the honest battery life figures, I feel this might have benefited from using a Menlow platform rather than the netbook platform and it could be a show-stopper for some. It’s a power/battery life trad-off though and there’s not much more you can squeeze out of a netbook platform in 1KG so if you want something that lasts longer but doesn’t perform as well, you’ve got the Archos 9 and T91 to take a look at and the T101 and Crunchpad to wait for.
The price? 599 Euro. (Slashgear is reporting that it will be available for 499 Euro if you are prepared to take it without OS and without 3G.) That brings it right in line with the Archos 9 that is also available.
Update: We have confirmation that the 499 Euro price is without 3G and Seline software. Windows Home Premium is included.
* Processor: 1.6Ghz Atom
* RAM : 1Go So-dimm 667Mhz. Un slot. Slot. Ram interchangeable.
* Storage capacity: 2’5 160GB HDD S-ATA.
* Screen: 10.6-inch touchscreen, resistive. Resolution 1024 * 600.
* Pointing device: stylus deployable, thumbs and fingers.
* Wireless connectivity: WiFi a / b / g, 3G (WCDMA/TD-SCDMA/CDMA2000)
* Networking: Ethernet
* Lithium-Ion removable
* Peripheral internal microphone, webcam frontal 0.3Mpixels.
* Ports SD / MMC / MS (SDHC Compatible)
* Connectivity: 1 x VGA, 3 x USB2 ports, jack, microphone jack.
* Weight: 990g (battery included)
* Dimensions: 260x160x22mm
* Operating system: Windows 7 Home Premium (Integrated TabletPC features)
* Software: Seline10.
All the details we have are now in the database and include specs, images, links and videos.
eviGroup Pad gets video hands-on; Update: on sale now – SlashGear.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
The EviGroup Pad isn't a bad deal at all. 499 Euro for Win7 Home Premium on netbook platform. http://bit.ly/2XIdmE
October 28th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
They should make more tablets/convertibles with carbon fiber body, that is 300$ premium i would be willing to pay for. That + ARM-A9 processor & 3Qi screen & SSD unit. I bet you could have a 10″ tablet/convertible with weight under 300-400 grams. Yeah, carbon fibre body smartbooks ARE the future of flagship devices! What do rest of you think about it?
johnkzin Reply:
October 28th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
I’m agnostic about ARM vs Atom (though, ARM certainly has better battery life; the top of the line TI OMAP might be a good candidate) … but going toward a hybrid display (touch screen version of the pixelqi?), and an SSD would be nice changes. Also DVI-I instead of VGA. You still get VGA capability, but without sacrificing the future.
That, combined with Android, and the e-book/e-reader software that’s coming out… it would make for an amazing mid-range device.
Patrick Reply:
October 28th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
For me Debian or Angstrom w/ some Beryl magic (optimised for embeded touch devices) would be enough. I’m not asking for too much. XD
Patrick Reply:
October 28th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Cool demo of what could be possible
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx9FgLr9oTk
October 28th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
I’d love to see Android, Ubuntu, Maemo, and Mer on this thing. Since it’s available sans OS, any word on someone getting alternate OSes up and running on it?
As for the device, the two things that might make it better would be:
The pixelqi display technology (so you can use it as both a tablet pc and an e-book reader), and DVI-I instead of VGA.
October 28th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Guys, this device is really appealing in my opinion, but with a major drawback, which is battery life. If this would be improved, it’s going in my backpack tomorrow.
By the way, any order page link?
johnkzin Reply:
October 28th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
If they switched to ARM and a hybrid e-paper/LCD display, that might increase the battery life by quite a bit.
Chippy Reply:
October 29th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Order page is actually a blog entry and a paypal link!
http://hypranet.org/nrnet/seline/blog/index.php?2009/10/28/703-la-tablette-pad-est-disponible-a-la-vente
October 28th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
No Bluetooth? Really?
Chippy Reply:
October 29th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
really! (Confirmed)
October 31st, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Nice device, I have just received my Archos 9 tablet so will pass on this one. This device is a bit thicker then the archos, probably out of necessity. It has all the usual ports compared to the archos which only has one usb port and one audio port. I am glad to see all these devices coming to market.
November 4th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
still waiting for the 5 inch version, the “Wallet”….
any word on release date on that one?
November 14th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Hay Chippy, I don’t trust sending money to people with just a paypal account! It just don’t seems right!
February 10th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
This looks EXACTLY the same as the iLet tablet.