A lot of the 10” PC-based tablets we’ve seen recently have been built around the ‘old’ Diamondville CPU and 2-piece chipset which, although good, it’s as good as the Pinetrail platform that is now rolled out for new netbooks. Smaller mainboards, lower power and a light boost in performance is exactly what’s needed to improve the Windows 7 experience in a tablet form factor and that’s exactly what BYD have in their T10BPT. The tablet is a an OED device looking for someone to pick it up and run with it but based on the specs and JKK’s video here I wouldn’t be surprised if someone does just that.

BYD T10BPT Specifications.

• Intel Atom N450
• NM10 Express Chipset.
• 1GB DDR 2
• 10.1 1024×600 Multi-touch (capacitive)
• Battery – 47Wh
• HDD – 2.5” SATA (Various sizes)
• 3G Option
• 2 x web cam
• SD card (multi) reader
• Stereo speakers
• Built-in Mic
• Audio-out
• Mic in
• 3 x USB2.0
• RJ45 LAN
• VGA Out
• Accelerometer

Sizing, weight and price-point are still unknown.

Via JKKMobile

Bloggers have been getting excited about those ‘tablets’ again.

The X2 (available in 10 and 12″ formats) is nothing more than a 1.6Ghz Atom device running a desktop OS without a keyboard. In effect, a large format UMPC.

We like the idea that tablets are coming out of the woodwork but we’re trying to remain balanced. Devices like these aren’t for the mass market. The UI, size and battery life just isn’t in the right ballpark for the average consumer.

From Pocket-Lint:
Specs include 1.6GHz Intel processors, up to 250GB hard drives, built-in stereo speakers, three USB ports, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and optional HDMI output, 1.3-megapixel webcam and 3G.

X2 iTablet – iTablet from X2 of the UK.

If you’ve got a product ready to tell the world about, you obviously haven’t just started work on it so these two very similar 8.9” tablets aren’t a results of any iPad hype and the fact that they are based on the netbook platform and offering Windows 7 means that they are targeted at a different, more productivity-focused user; just the sort of user that comes to UMPCPortal!

First-up is the ExoPC. Offered by a French company (with no English website. Clearly not interested in being the global #1,) it’s based on a 2009 netbook platform but offers a multi-touch screen, a 4 hours battery and, based on the SIM-card slot, a 3G option. A weight of 795gm 32GB SSD and 2GB RAM give it specs that raise it slightly above the average netbook and fit well with the requirements of a productive Windows 7 environment.

ExoPC have helpfully provided a comparison page which includes the Archos 9 and iPad but omits the other competitors, the Nav 9 and the EviGroup Pad. Pricing is $599 and is said to be available in March.

On to the Nav 9 then, this is the one that appeared last month as the Netbook Navigator 891A-NN. Again, we’re looking at a sub-1KG (2lb) 8.9” tablet but entry-level pricing gives you a slightly more basic model. Low capacity (2hrs) battery, 1GB RAM and 16GB of SSD are all lower than the ExoPC but there are options to upgrade all of them. A base unit (no OS, single touch, no cam) is going to cost you $500 and expanding everything possible will take you way up to a scary $1500 although at that price you’re getting 3G, 128GB SSD and the multi-touch screen.

It’s obvious that these two are from the same OEM (Sinchun) so it will be very interesting to see how these two companies position their competing products because as we all know here in UMPC-land, devices without keyboards are a tough-sell.

The Archos 9

[This post is updating with info from the live press conference. There's a live discussion going on from the event here. Thanks to @charbax and ArchosFans for the live feed. Charbax will be posting video from the event and archosfans.com later.]

More updates below but one final update needs to go up here before I lock this post. We’re hearing that this could be a multi-touch device. Unconfirmed at the moment.

Windows 7 with the Intel Atom Z515 (800/1200Mz CPU), 16mm thick. 800gm, BT2.1, 802.11b/g, webcam, 120GB. Diversity (dual) tuner. 3G Option, 9″ 1024×600 screen, ethernet 10/100,  external mic, stereo speakers, vga out, 1.3mp webcam, 256mm x 134mm x 16mm

It looks extremely thin. Viliv have a challenger!

Target pricing 450 Euro. Update: Looks like 500 Euro. Availability in Autumn. (Sept/Oct)

Windows 7 delivers a great media experience with the Menlow platform so this makes sense for Archos although I wonder if they’re adding a user interface layer.

I’m worried about the hard drive though. That could be a bottlekneck for Windows 7 as it has been in the past on UMPCs.

What better innovation for a MiniPC than to get rid of keyboards?
ARCHOS once again is leading the way in innovation, with the introduction of the MiniPC of the future, the ARCHOS 9PCtablet. The ARCHOS design team has coupled groundbreaking design with the most advanced technologies, by leveraging their expertise from the design of the Internet Media Tablets. The new PC combines the performance of a high end PC with breathtaking aesthetics, excellent ergonomics and a tactile interface that ARCHOS has built their reputation on. Pure lines, extreme thinness (0.63”), less than 800g and a stunning black finish, the ARCHOS 9 pushes the boundaries of elegance and simplicity on a MiniPC, fulfilling all expectations of the most mobile users.
Intuitive and easy to use, the ARCHOS 9 delivers an unrivalled user experience, and is set to replace the traditional computer. Without a physical keyboard, it provides a virtual keyboard, very easy to use on the the resistive touchscreen, and has an optical trackpoint to let you surf the web, communicate, work and entertain anywhere.
The ARCHOS 9 incorporates the new Intel® ATOM™ Z515 processor, an 80 GB¹ hard disk, Bluetooth to tether wireless accessories, and 2 antennas to receive DVBT TV with diversity reception.
And what’s more, the ARCHOS 9 is running Microsoft® Windows 7, the latest version of the most commonly used operating system in the world.
The ARCHOS 9 provides all the power and comfort needed for daily usage.
It combines an impressive performance and a rich multimedia experience to deliver the most advanced PC in the world. Be ready to discover it.

Looks like more products are being launched too:

http://www.archos.com/products/nb/index.html?country=de&lang=en

Update: There’s a press release in French.

Update: More specs (French)

Update: More pics.

Full specifications:

• PROCESSOR : Intel ATOM 1.2 GHz Z515 with video chipset US15W
• OPERATING SYSTEM : Microsoft Windows 7
• RAM : 1GB (DDR2 400/533)
• SCREEN : 8.9 inch touch screen is almost 23 inches diagonal
• RESOLUTION : 1024 x 600 pixels
• HARD DRIVE : Up to 2.5-inch 120GB Format
• COMMUNICATION : 10/100 Ethernet card
  WiFi: PCI-E, 2 antennas, manages the IEEE 802.11b / g
  Bluetooth 2.1
• AUDIO : Card Realtek ALC269, 2 stereo speakers and microphone
• CONNECTORS FRONT AND SIDE
  USB 2.0
  Headphone Jack – Audio Output
• Additional ports via an optional port replicator:
  - 2 USB 2.0 ports
  - 10/100 Ethernet Port
  - External Microphon
  - Audio output / headphone
  - VGA output
• BATTERY : Lithium Polymer
• WEBCAM : Integrated 1.3MP camera
• Tuner TNT (diversity reception) recording (depending on model)
• 3.5G HSUPA (depending on model)
• DIMENSIONS : 256mm x 134mm x 16mm (approximately)
• WEIGHT : Less than 800gr
• Box Contents : ARCHOS 9PCtablet, battery, adapter / charger, quick start guide.

Update: Archosfans have their Ustream video available and will post the high quality footage soon.

If the Viliv S5 Full Review isn’t enough for you today, then check out the Viliv S5 running Windows 7. As with my Gigabyte Touchnote, the floating TIP and other tablet features aren’t enabled but JKK is reporting a full and stable working device. Although I didn’t see him demonstrate it in the video (I skipped across a lot of it, sorry JKK!) this W7 upgrade should have enabled very high performance H.264 decoding meaning hi-res and CPU power savings.

Check out JKK’s video here.

Links to all Viliv S5 articles in our database can be found here.

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