UMID BZ details, videos and links to articles and gallery in the Product Database.
There’s a review and video of the UMID BZ coming just as soon as I receive the missing power cable from UMID (due in a few days) but in the meantime, I’ve added it to the database and finished a photo shoot. If that’s enough to tip you over the edge then Dynamism is the place you need to look next.
They’ve got the 16GB SSD model in for just $549 which is a relief considering the early pricing indicators and if you order now, you’ll get the VGA adaptor thrown in for free.
In my hours with the BZ at CES a few weeks ago it was clear that they’ve done a good job improving the casing. It’s sturdy, well finished and opens up much wider than before. The optical mouse isn’t as nice as some I’ve tried as the recess tends to feel awkward but as before, the touchscreen is nice and responsive. You’ll need to optimize Windows XP for that 1024×600 screen but that’s not a major issue.
Expect some videos from me over the next week. So far I don’t see any showstoppers. Oh, and by the way, that competitor, the Viliv N5 won’t be available until March so if you need a 4.8” clamshell with XP and lon battery life now, this is your baby.
[Dynamism affiliate links appear in our product database. There are no affiliate links in this post.]
January 20th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
New article: UMID BZ at Dynamism (and in our Database and Gallery.) http://bit.ly/7vN1hu
January 20th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
RT @umpcportal: New article: UMID BZ at Dynamism (and in our Database and Gallery.) http://bit.ly/7vN1hu
January 20th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
UMID BZ at Dynamism (and in our Database and Gallery.) http://bit.ly/5SWyvH #mobile
January 20th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
You didn’t happen to have a compatible charger in your arsenal already, or a suitable universal charger tip, eh? Any word on a 3G model? That’s what I need… I hope the 3G model of BZ will support UMTS900 if they bring it to the market. If not, it’s up to the Viliv N5 to try and provide that.
Looking mighty fine otherwise! Oh, what’s going to happen to the price of the M1 now?
(Missing the ‘g’ in ‘long battery life’ in the last paragraph btw.)
January 20th, 2010 at 5:57 pm
Steve,
Since you have a unit at hand, could you please confirm its actual thickness? Dynamism reports it as 19mm (same as the M1), however this directly conflicts with one of their screenshot taken from UMID, which states 30.2mm (which would make it much, much thicker).
Inquisite (and slightly compulsive) mind want to know!
Chippy Reply:
January 21st, 2010 at 12:07 am
Min (from tabletop) 22mm. Max 30mm.
Steve
Chippy Reply:
January 21st, 2010 at 12:14 am
Updated dimensions in database.
January 20th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
Dynamism had a $50 off coupon the week after CES on this and the EKING S515, bringing both down to a very nice $499 (including the VGA adapter for the BZ). The code was good through Jan 15th. I hope some people were able to take advantage of it.
Chippy Reply:
January 21st, 2010 at 12:02 am
Thanks Jenn. I hadn’t spotted that. $499 is a nice price for the BZ.
January 20th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
I thought the article said with XP and Ion. So much for hoping for super low power GPUs
.
January 20th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
Why didn’t they put GPS into this device?
Suppose the ram cannot be upgraded to 1GB either so 512mb is too low even for XP…
anon Reply:
January 20th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
512 MB is the minimum for a slim XP but will be enough for basic things – just don’t try running on-line antivirus on it! It’s ok for browsing, writing, media consumption and such, which are the mainstay of the tasks for a device like this. Myself, I’d still wish for 1 GB RAM to be safe though.
Chippy Reply:
January 21st, 2010 at 12:16 am
agree. 512MB works OK on XP Home for a few desktop apps, background apps and tabs. The fast SSD will help if things get into swap state too. Not ideal though. I agree.
ArchiMark Reply:
January 21st, 2010 at 12:59 am
Any idea as to whether there will a higher spec model with at least 1GB RAM and maybe faster CPU, Chippy?
Thanks.
Mark
January 21st, 2010 at 2:18 am
Without 1GB and 3g, we early adopters won’t buy again although most of us have a second in mind fearing that the company might break sooner than the M1 does.
BTW, Chippy, you should update your database on Viliv S7, many people have been misled by the wrong size in your database.
Chippy Reply:
January 21st, 2010 at 7:46 pm
I thought I fixed that. Will re-check., Thx.
January 21st, 2010 at 7:45 pm
Charger, VGA adaptor has now arrived. I’ll set up a live session. Thinking about Monday evening. Watch for announcement.
January 22nd, 2010 at 2:30 am
RT @chippy: RT @umpcportal: New article: UMID BZ at Dynamism (and in our Database and Gallery.) http://bit.ly/7vN1hu #IntelAtom
January 22nd, 2010 at 5:52 pm
UMID BZ video uploading to my youtube channel right now (give it 15 minutes)
February 11th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
I have to do a lot of powerpoint presentations, and I want something that is light to carry that will handle my presentations (lots of graphics but not video, etc). Is the RAM enough for that? Also, how fast does it “wake up” from standby? THANKS.