At the end of last month, Onkyo (a Japanese company) announced three slate computers, all based on the Atom platform and running Windows 7. All three tablets can now be purchased easily here in the US thanks to importer extraordinaire, Dynamism. Check the specs on each:

TW117A4:

• Windows 7 Home Premium
• Intel Atom N450 CPU @ 1.66Ghz
• GMA 3150 graphics
• 10.1” capacitive touchscreen @ 1024×600
• 1GB of RAM
• 160GB HDD
• 990 grams
• 1.3MP webcam

TW217A5

• Windows 7 Home Premium
• Intel Atom Z530 @ 1.6GHz
• GMA 500 graphics
• 10.1” capacitive touchscreen @ 1024×600
• 1GB of RAM
• 32GB SSD
• HDMI output
• 850 grams
• front and rear 1.3MP webcams

TW317A5

• Windows 7 Home Premium
• Intel Atom N450 @ 1.66GHz
• GMA 3150 graphics
• 10.1” capacitive touchscreen @ 1366 x 768
• 1GB of RAM
• 32GB SSD
• HDMI output
• 1kg
• 1.3MP webcam

Also thanks to Dynamism, we’ve got the TW317A5 on it’s way for us to have a thorough look over. Stayed tuned.

Considering my aforementioned thoughts on consumer-oriented slates, the Onkyo tablets are going to have to be seriously usable if they want to avoid a roast. I have yet to use a capacitive Windows Slate, so perhaps there will be some redemption to be had. I won’t let my earlier essay influence my thoughts on the Slate. If it works well, it works well. If it doesn’t, expect me to be very honest about it as we always are in our reviews.

Dynamism have just released all the prices and availability information for the S10 Blade range of devices. (We released our full review today too.)

1.6Ghz Models:

• Viliv S10 32ssd -  Intel® Atom™ Z530 1.6GHz 32GB SSD Windows XP $699.00
• Viliv-S10/32ssd – Intel® Atom™ Z530 1.6GHz 32GB SSD Windows 7 Home Premium. $797.00
• Viliv S10/32ssd/3G – Intel® Atom™ Z530 1.6GHz 32GB SSD Windows 7 Home Premium Built in HSPA modem. $889.00
• Viliv S10/64ssd – Intel® Atom™ Z530 1.6GHz 64GB SSD Windows 7 Home Premium. $857.00 (Includes free second battery in presale offer)
• Viliv S10 64ssd/3G – Intel® Atom™ Z530 1.6GHz 64GB SSD Windows 7 Home Premium Built in HSPA modem. $949.00 (Includes free second battery in presale offer)

2.0Ghz Models:

• Viliv S10/2.0GHz/64ssd – Intel® Atom™ Z550 2.0GHz 64GB SSD Windows 7 Home Premium. $1057.00 (Includes free second battery in presale offer)
• Viliv S10/2.0GHz/64ssd/3G – Intel® Atom™ Z550 2.0GHz 64GB SSD Windows 7 Home Premium Built in HSPA modem. $1,149.00 (Includes free second battery in presale offer)

Ordering starts on March 25th. Shipment of all versions is expected on April 22nd.

See Dynamism for more details.

S10 information sheet (review, gallery, links, videos) is available here.

Prices are much as were previously leaked so our thoughts on that remain the same. (Is the Viliv S10 too expensive?)

Dynamism has two UMPC deals (good today only) that might be of interest:

• For $30 off the regular price, you can order the pink or black base model UMID M1 [Portal page]. Both have 512MB of RAM, Windows XP, an 8GB SSD and come with a case and 4GB MicroSD card. The pink version will run you $419 and has a 1.2GHz Atom CPU, and the black version is $469 with a 1.3GHz CPU.
  
• They also have a deal on the Viliv S7 [Portal page] which I reviewed over at Pocketables.net. I would personally take this S7 deal over the UMID M1 as you get $100 off the top end model, and Dynamism is already throwing in a spare battery — combined with the regularly included one you could run your Viliv S7 for nearly 20 hours straight (going for max battery life)! You can pick up this 3G equipped Viliv S7 for $699 today only, which has a 1.33GHz Atom CPU, 32GB SSD, 1GB of RAM, and runs Windows XP.
  

As the Viliv S7 makes its way towards us here in Germany (as I write, it’s somewhere between Seoul and Cologne – expected Monday or Tuesday) it’s clear that other’s are ramping up for the big launch too.

Jenn downloaded some of the new press images [full set of 47 images here] and she’ll also be getting one next week. Dynamism have put the device up for pre-order too. Pricing is better than I thought with the mid-range 32GB SSD version up for just $659. I was honestly expecting (and worried about) pricing nearer 800 dollars. Of course it’s more than a netbook but don’t get me started on that one. I’ve a list as long as my arm detailing differences between a netbook and this UMPC. 800gm and 8 hrs of battery life is the best figure. 1hr per 100gm makes it extremely strong in battery life/weight ratio.

Our information page for the Viliv S7. Click through to see images, videos and news related to the Viliv S7.

Pricing:

There are three versions of the S7 available at Dynamism

The entry level S7/60 with a 60GB hard drive and the 1.3Ghz Atom CPU with 1GB RAM and XP Home. A good combination for those that want to use the S7 mainly as a media player. $629

MID-Range 32GB SSD version. This is the version to go for if you want silent operation, a little more speed with boot-up and application access and the ruggedness that comes with having a PC with no moving parts. $659.

The high-end SSD/3G version obviously adds the HSPA (high speed up/down) modem which we understand is a voice-capable Huawei model as found on the X70 and S5. $799

For more information and to register for availability and special offers, see Dynamism.com

A few things to think about:

• Battery life. 5-9hrs depending on scenario.
• Small form-factor. Significantly smaller than an ASUS T91.
• Light weight. 20% lighter than the lightest netbooks.
• Convertible touchscreen.
• Touch-typing capable keyboard. Not up to the sizes of 10” netbooks but around the same size as early 7” and 9” Eee PCs.
• GPS Update from Viliv: No GPS on thess retail versions.
• Fast SSD. The Viliv SSDs are fast enough to make a noticeable difference when compared to the HDD versions.
• VGA, Component and S-Video out.
• SDHC capable card reader for up to 32GB SD card expansion.

Despite the great features it has to be said that if you’ve got a netbook, the S7 may be difficult to justify but if you don’t have a netbook and want a UMPC to cover table-top, mobile, handheld, car and other duties, the S7 is a real multi-scenario mobile computing gem.

Live session with the S7.

The S7 is due to arrive on Monday or Tuesday here and JKK and I have planned a live session for Tuesday evening after the Archos press event. Stay tuned for more information.

Dynamism seems to have had great success selling the Viliv S5 [Portal page] and X70 [Portal page] devices to a limited number of people who were able to order them right as they were released. Now that the premium models are ready for release, it looks like Dynamism is ready to open the offer up to a lot more individuals.

Starting from today (July 16th) through August 5th Dynamism will be offering anyone who orders the X70 or S5 the same nice accessory bundle (worth $135 for the S5, or $195 for the X70) as they did with their initial launch specials. What does this mean exactly?

For the Viliv S5, an order from now through August 5th will secure you a spare battery, car kit, and leather case all at not additional cost.

For the Viliv X70, you have two choices depending on which model you order. The first is for the express model: a free upgrade to 1.3GHz from 1.2GHz, a car kit, leather case, and protective screen cover. Or you can go with a premium model which will get you an additional battery in place of the CPU upgrade along with the other parts of the accessory bundle.

All in all, I would say that if you have your heart set on the S5 or the X70, now would be a good time to buy.

If you’ve been waiting for the 3G version of the Viliv S5, the wait is nearly over. Dynamism have just posted this info:

The Viliv S5 special offer is back for one quick encore, but this time, it’s better because the latest Viliv S5 is better than ever.
+ Now with integrated solid state drive
+ Now with integrated 3G (HSPA) wireless broadband
Available only for the first 400 units ordered starting at 1 PM Eastern time on July 16th, customers will receive a free spare battery, car kit, and leather pouch. Please be sure to sign up for e-mail alerts (above) to stay informed of this special event as-it-happens.

Shipment is expected August 5th

Head over to Dynamism for more info and don’t forget, the X70 goes on sale at Dynamism next Monday. (Shipment expected July 28th)

If you’ve got final questions about the Viliv S5 or X70, keep an eye out for the next live session which is tentatively planned for Monday before the X70 goes on sale.

Dynamism have just announced a special pre-ordering offer for all three of the Viliv X70 EX models.

Express Model Pre-Order Special:

• Free Upgrade to 1.3GHz from 1.2GHz
• Free Car Kit
• Free Leather Pouch
• Free Matte Filter

Premium Models Pre-Order Special:

• Free Spare Standard Battery
• Free Car Kit
• Free Leather Pouch
• Free Matte Filter

To be honest, the X70 was good value without this special offer but this makes it even more irresistible. The car kit and leather pouch are excellent quality. I haven’t tried the matte filter but as the X70 has a glossy screen I’d say its going to be worth having too.

The offer is valid for the first 777 orders from Dynamism on June 6th 1pm Eastern Time. Get more details from the product page at Dynamism.

Shipment expected July 28th

Our full review.

Our product page with links to many other X70 related articles.

Great news. Following the Australian reseller, Justek (news) Dynamism have announced that they will be selling the UMID M1 Mbook and that it will be available from the 15th June.

For $599 you get exactly the version we tested. WIndows XP Home + 16GB of SSD. Good value? Yes. The UMID is truly a next-gen UMPC and, along with the Viliv S5, one of the best UMPC choices there is right now. It’s got a very fast web browser (we’re talking 3-4x the rendering speed of an iPhone here with full flash capability!) and a good video playback sub-system. From our review:

We’re impressed with the technology in the UMID Mbook, the processing power, the battery life, the screen and the fast SSD. We’re not impressed with the fiddly micro-SD slot, headphone and USB ports though and these, we’re sure, will be major issues for a lot of people. Build quality could also be better. Despite these issues, the UMID is a device that you keep going back to and keep wanting to take with you, even if you don’t have any ‘computing’ activities planned. It’s a very flexible, and fast, pocket companion. One might say, a pocket microblogging rocket!

Our full review of the UMID Mbook M1 is here.

Full product details including videos and links to other UMID news items on the ´net

Dynamism link.

Related articles in the right hand column ->

If you’ve read our Viliv S5 review over the last week and are now wondering whether to buy it, today’s a good day to make a decision because there’s a special offer at Dynamism kicking of at 1pm eastern time (Ney York time.) Dynamism have 400 units available with a special offer pack that includes the leather pouch, the car kit and a spare battery for just $599. Check out all the details via our product information page and then hop over to Dynamism for the ordering details.

If you have any last-minute questions on the Viliv S5, I’ve set up an email address that you can send your questions to. It will be valid for today only. Email your questions to viliv-s5-q@umpcportal.com and I’ll do my best to answer questions as soon as they come in. [This is not a Dynamism service. Just me trying to help out.]

Selling 200 Viliv S5’s at $599 in 2 hours in a financially unstable period is no mean feat. In fact it looks like Dynamism were hit much harder than they had expected yesterday when the rush for the 200 pre-sale offer packs started. We received many messages from people that said they had tried for over an hour to get an order through but were kicked off the server at the last stage. Annoying? Yes!

Dynamism weren’t laying back sipping cocktails though. They saw the problems and have responded in a customer letter today. They’ve also negotiated the same deal for the next 400 Viliv S5’s. That is, the Viliv S5 with the accessory pack for just $599. I have to say, to turn round a deal like that in 24 hours must have taken a few late-night/early morning calls and emails so hat’s off to them.

A letter has gone out to Dynamism customers but here’s the version we received direct from Dynamism a little earlier.

Thank you to everyone who ordered, or attempted to order, during our Viliv S5 promotional event. We anticipated high demand, but our server was simply unable to handle the huge number of simultaneous requests for the same single SKU. The result was an unacceptably slow, unreliable, and frustrating shopping experience for all. We would like to extend our apologies to all users of the site on April 27, especially those who tried to access or order between 1-3pm Eastern, when our server was hit hardest. Please feel free to contact us with any feedback or concerns about the event; we answer all e-mails to sales within one business day.

We have provisioned an additional 400 Viliv S5 to be bundled with the same accessory pack (car kit, spare battery, leather pouch $135 value) for the same cost of $599. These will be offered from our second shipment, due on May 24. This special will launch at 1pm Eastern time, on Thursday, May 14. During the intervening time, we will significantly increase our server’s capacity to handle overloading of orders for the same SKU. Although server performance will be much better, we expect it may still be slow. However, we hope that the larger quantity will allow more people to take advantage of the special, and help to ease any frustration. After this special concludes, the Viliv S5 will be available for general sale for $599, without the free accessory bundle.

Most of you will already know that Dynamism are starting the pre-order period for the Viliv S5 today. Presale begins 1:00 PM Eastern time on April 27th. The first shipment is expected May 8th.

If you’re still in two minds about it, take a look at this new video from Michael Brito of Intel. He’s done an ‘Un Geek’ video presentation with the S5. You’ll see Tweetdeck, iTunes and a good demo of the on-screen keyboard in use. If you have questions, join myself and JKK at 2030 CEST today where we will be live with the S5 and other devices and will be able to answer your questions in a live chat session. (Go to UMPCPortal.com/live)

More information on the Viliv S5 including links to all the important articles, reviews, image galleries and news items, in the Viliv S5 product page.

Video source: Inside Scoop.

As you may have seen from the new banners that went up around the site yesterday, Viliv are going to launch the S5 in the U.S. through Dynamism.com. They’ve also come up with a pre-order special offer that bundles $135 of spare battery, car kit and the really nice leather case.

• Viliv S5 Premium + [Free Spare Battery + Car Kit + Leather Pouch] (Save $135)
• Price for viliv S5 Premium : $599
• Limited to 200 units
• Launch Date : 27^th of April, 2009
• Time : 1:00 PM Eastern Time in US

Note that the Premium is not the model with built-in 3G.

Hop over to Dynamism for full specs and a run-down of the package and if you need some more details, images, hands-on, videos and links, check out the Viliv S5 information page. My detailed first impressions article is here.