Update: The manual linked to in this article is not the final release. Just a draft that I have been able to get hold of.

Both Gottabemobile and UberTablet websites have unboxings underway so I thought I’d pull out all the stops and go one better. What I’ve got for you today is the exclusive ‘opening’ ceremony for the Vega Ultra Portable PC manual. In English no less.

[Is that the sound of a church bell, the doors of a saloon? Is that tumbleweed rolling across the screen there?]

I’ve had a read through it this morning though and there’s a few things I can point out. Before I do that though, has anyone else thought ‘car pc’ for this device? To me it seems almost perfect. Not too big (a 7″ screen is going to be too big to sit on top of most dasboards) and not over powerful. Its well priced and has good battery life. My only problem with it is that it doesn’t have a bluetooth module built in so won’t be able to link it up with a Bluetooth GPS module, a headset or a cellphone for internet access on the go without plugging something into the USB slot. I’m not a fan of sticking USB modules into mobile devices becuase they either fall out or get broken off. They also look ugly. Maybe one of these DLink mini adaptors will do the trick. We’ll have to see.

Back to the manual though. Here are a few observations:

Positive:

• VGA adaptor cable included.
• Flexible DC input (10-15v should be able to wire directly up to auto electrics.)
• Good range of external screen resolutions.
• Hardware screen rotation.
• stereo speakers.
• Great array of key-based shortcuts. over 40 combinations of keys on RHS of device including function keys, keypad and mouse controls.
• Resolution button. 4 resolutions up to 1024×768
• LCD off. Very useful for music.
• On screen keyboard.
• Mouse control via pen.
• USB storage device mode.

Negative:

• No Bluetooth built-in
• No SDIO built-in
• No Wifi built-in. (Wifi USB stick included

Hands-on is definitely needed with this device to determine it’s performance. As I type away here on a PII450 with 192M RAM I feel quite positive that the Vega is going to be a useful device.

The PDF download is available here.

Regards

Steve / Chippy.

I’m still hanging off that 56kbps modem with no flash support right now so haven’t watched this yet.

Its a short video of the Medion RIM 1000 ultra mobile PC (we think!)

Take a look here. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it’s not a video of Barry Manilow or some other unsightly experience!

Thanks to Jason for sending the link in.

Steve / Chippy.

Both Bigbeaks and Ctitanic have received their extended battery solutions for the Tablet Kiosk v7110.

As expected, 6-cells instead of three is doubling the battery life up to over 3 hours minumum. Thats about 4 hours under normal conditions and up to 5 hours in low-use scenarios.

Guys. How’s the extra weight (around 250gms was my guess) and extra bulk. Is it still hand-holdable?

This model battery should fit the Paceblade Easybook P7, Ago7, It’s and all other re-badged Amtek T700s.

Regards
Steve / Chippy.

Dennis Rice of GottabeMobile just got a new Tablet Kiosk i7210 Ultra Mobile PC and has posted a brief video.

I haven’t been able to watch the video yet as I’m on a 56kbps modem here but i’m sure its worth watching as they do some good videos at Gottabemobile.

The i7210 is the second Pentium-M based ultra mobile PC to be available in the U.S. (last week a Pentium-M based Q1 appeared.) and should provide good performance advantages over Celeron based UMPCs. I’m also expecting to see some battery life improvement for low-useage scenarios as the Pentium-M has speed stepping enabled.

The previous review I saw about this device (under the Founder brand) had a few things to say about low-quality materials, heat and noise so I’m interested to see what Dennis says about that. I also want to know how good that Synaptics mouse pointer is. The one on the v7110 is very good but the i7210 has a disc shaped pointer. I hope it’s as easy to use.

Other questions for Dennis are:

How’s the sound quality on the loudspeaker?
Is there a mic array or just a single mic?
How is the 80gm screen? (Any problems with resting your palm on the screen?)

I’ll be getting my i7210 next week and also plan some videos and in-depth reviews so it will be nice to compare notes.

Regards
Steve / Chippy.

Carrypad: i7210 data sheet with images and links.

It looks like Medion have something mobile and pc-like up their sleeve according to the number of Medion-tagged messages I have here.

I don’t have all my resources to hand at the moment (my Mothers PIII450 isn’t so efficient!) but it appears that none of the German websites have any extra information about this device. Engadget heard it via gadgetzone in Holland and this is about all we know:

Again we’re seeing that sliding keyboard design. This is definitely the way to get consumers interested in a UMPC. Everyone loves a gadget with a folding, sliding, hidden secret!

Medion often sell through Aldi in Germany and the UK and usually aim at the lowest price possible by offering the device on a particular day and selling a few thousand (or tens of thousands) within a week. Quality is acceptable and they have a knack of getting the specifications just right.

I’ll see what I can do to get more info from my German contacts.

Steve / Chippy.

Here’s proof from Millard (origamiportal.com member) that the Q1 he has is a Pentium based device. Click to enlarge.

The model number of the unit is still ‘Q1.’ I suspect that this is to get round a costly and time-consuming FCC approval process.

Thanks Millard. We’ll be following this up on the Origamiportal thread here.

Steve.

tags: q1, Pentium, umpc

[img]https://www.umpcportal.com/uploads/img44ff3bc9222f9.jpg[/img]

Without any notice from Samsung, it appears that a Pentium version of the Q1 is now available.

One of our new readers – Millard (welcome and thanks for sharing the news) says he has actually been out and bought one from Fry’s!

This is very suprising news. The Tablet Kiosk i7210 was due to be the first Pentium based Origami ultra mobile PC on the market but seems to have been pipped at the post.

Searching around on the web, helmutk, another member, has also found evidence that this device exists and is being sold for $1250.

Keep an eye on the [url=https://www.umpcportal.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=561&forum=1]forum thread[/url] for updates from Millard.

Read the full story

This is fun!

Hugo just posted that he’s got a world-first on an unnamed ‘Mobile PC’. I too have the device on its way (I’m not telling you what it is either!) but had expected it no sooner than next week.

However, I’ve just seen through DHL that its in Germany already and awaiting customs clearance. If that happens this evening it could be with me tomorrow.

Meanwhile Hugo, has left his device behind, unboxed, while he goes on a 48hr trip.

The unboxing will be mine. Oh yes it will.

The only problem is, I have a two hour window tomorrow where I’m at home and then I too have to go on a trip and won’t be back until Monday leaving Hugo to run the smuggest-ever unboxing ceremony. The chances of me getting the device are a million to one.

Could German efficiency make Hugo’s blog entry one for the history books? Or could he take the trophy?

Like I said. This is fun and a bit of ultra mobile PC banter never hurt anyone! Good luck Hugo.

Steve / Chippy.