Update 2019: The latest ISO, install media for Windows 10 can be found here.

Update: It is possible to install Windows 10 on an old, non-updraded Windows 8 PC, with an embedded Windows key, for free. I’ve had one successful case of doing it with the Acer E11

I just discovered something that I’m guessing the world and his dog already knows about but despite possible embarrassment, I’m still going to write about it.

I updated the firmware on my Xperia X10 yesterday (don’t get excited, it was just a maintenance release. I’m still waiting for the latest firmware to roll-out on unbranded X10s in Germany) and part of the procedure called for backing-up the applications using the free Astro File manager (good recommendation.) I had no idea that the file manager would simply create APKs on my SDCard but it did. I popped the SD card into my Archos 5 and hey-presto! I was able to install the apps. Latest Seesmic, NewsRob and Kindle all worked first go so I’ll be looking to back-up quite a few more onto that SD card.

There’s a ‘hack’ that allows Marketplace to run on an Archos 5 but I don’t recommend it for stability reasons. The complete Google app suite is installed and there’s just not enough memory on the Archos 5 to handle it all. You’ll be forever killing applications to keep things tidy and smooth. One alternative then is to use this back-up method. If you haven’t got an Android phone, look for a second-hand one or even buy a new one. At 150 Euros entry price it’s worth having one to play around with anyway!

So to summarise: You can ‘back-up’ applications from an Android phone onto an SD card using the Astro File Manager. To install the backed-up files onto your Archos 5 just open the built-in file manager, navigate to the SDcard and backup->apps folder and you’ll find the .apk files. Double click on a file and it will start the install process. Note that the Google app suite including Maps, Goggles and Gmail needs more than just application installs to work fully so you’ll need the Marketplace hack for that.

More about the Kindle application on the Archos 5 in the following article and of-course, full information about the Archos 5 in our product page.

I just discovered something that I’m guessing the world and his dog already knows about but despite possible embarrassment, I’m still going to write about it.

I updated the firmware on my Xperia X10 yesterday (don’t get excited, it was just a maintenance release. I’m still waiting for the latest firmware to roll-out on unbranded X10s in Germany) and part of the procedure called for backing-up the applications using the free Astro File manager (good recommendation.) I had no idea that the file manager would simply create APKs on my SDCard but it did. I popped the SD card into my Archos 5 and hey-presto! I was able to install the apps. Latest Seesmic, NewsRob and Kindle all worked first go so I’ll be looking to back-up quite a few more onto that SD card.

There’s a ‘hack’ that allows Marketplace to run on an Archos 5 but I don’t recommend it for stability reasons. The complete Google app suite is installed and there’s just not enough memory on the Archos 5 to handle it all. You’ll be forever killing applications to keep things tidy and smooth. One alternative then is to use this back-up method. If you haven’t got an Android phone, look for a second-hand one or even buy a new one. At 150 Euros entry price it’s worth having one to play around with anyway!

So to summarise: You can ‘back-up’ applications from an Android phone onto an SD card using the Astro File Manager. To install the backed-up files onto your Archos 5 just open the built-in file manager, navigate to the SDcard and backup->apps folder and you’ll find the .apk files. Double click on a file and it will start the install process. Note that the Google app suite including Maps, Goggles and Gmail needs more than just application installs to work fully so you’ll need the Marketplace hack for that.

More about the Kindle application on the Archos 5 in the following article and of-course, full information about the Archos 5 in our product page.

If you’ve been wondering about how much faster a build of XP on the Viliv S10 might be, or how much difference an SSD upgrade might be, wonder no more because I’ve just tested it out…and then dropped back to the default setup. It didn’t bring enough advantages to make it worthwhile. Video of the SSD swap process is included below.

I took a Runcore Pro IV SSD (RCP-IV-ZA1864-C) and installed it into the S10 (a very easy upgrade) with a build of XP from the similar Fujitsu U820. After installing the new device drivers, everything was up and running very quickly and smoothly.  Because the S10 uses a PATA interface, however, I wasn’t seeing the same speeds as I do on my Gigabyte Touchnote with its SATA interface and the 2.5 inch Runcore Pro IV. There’s a noticeable improvement in speed if, like me, all you need to do is access Firefox and a few other programs but it’s barely enough to justify the cost and hassle. Yes, if you want the ultimate speed out of the S10, upgrade the SSD and drop in XP on it but it will take you a few hours to build XP, the cost is a minimum $100 and you lose multitouch and other Windows 7 features. I missed the OSK immediately!

As far as upgrading the existing Windows 7 build to a faster SSD, there’s even less to be said for it. Again, if you want the ultimate speed and can afford the cost (minimum 32GB I’d say) then go for it because it’s an easy upgrade but for most people, the standard SSD and Windows 7 is going to be fine. Even the 1GB RAM limit isn’t really an issue if you’re not thrashing the device.

That brings me to another thing I wanted to mention the 60GB HDD / Windows XP entry-level version of the Viliv S10. My recommendation is that you don’t take that version. The SSD and Windows 7 upgrade is definitely worth having and as we move to a point where XP drivers are lagging (e.g. GMA500 drivers) it’s an investment for the future.

It’s interesting. This is the first device I’ve ever kept as a Windows 7 device. Somehow it ‘fits’ with the S10. I don’t use the multitouch screen but maybe there’s a psychological issue with having a multitouch screen that you can’t use that makes me want to keep Windows 7 on it.

JKK of JKKMobile is also looking into a high-end upgrade for the Viliv S10. I have a feeling that the advantages won’t be huge in his tests either but he has access to the Pro V Runcore drives which are faster, maybe he can squeeze just enough more out of it to make it worthwhile. Keep an eye on JKKMobile for that soon because he’s promised a video too.

Update: Video of how I swapped the SSD’s is included. It took under 5 minutes.

To all the websites, companies and visitors that I’ve learned so much from in the last few years, here’s something back. The 5-part, 11,000 word, 28-page Ultra Mobile Computing Buyers Guide as a single re-flowable PDF file.

Click the image to download the PDF.  (850kB)

(Right-Click and choose ‘Save Link As’ to save direct to  your PC)

One of the great features of a ultra mobile PC is it’s ability to provide multiple and flexible input methods. You get the choice of a totally personal computer tailored to how you want to work, where you want to work. Combining touchscreens, thumboards and keyboard accessories in multiple ways is why UMPCs can go from desktop to car to bed to garden to bus and provide you new ways and new places to be entertained, productive and a comfortable and efficient manner. Along with battery life, weight and processing platform, choosing a keyboard is one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make when buying a UMPC. The starting point is to decide whether you need a keyboard at all because given the right operating system and touchscreen type, its possible to use on screen keyboards or handwriting recognition but in this article I cover, in detail, the more popular route of including some form of keyboard input.