TabletKiosk eo UMPC evaluation underway!

The good folks at TabletKiosk have let me borrow one of their prototype eo UMPCs for a few days and I will be offering my observations about the device. Here's a couple of quick photos of the unit which will have to do until I have spent a little more time with the eo:

Post any questions you have about the eo and I'll try to answer them in subsequent posts. Maybe even a little video tour so stay tuned. So far, me likee! :-)

Comments

[Michael Venini]

Wow.

James, hows the screen brightness? How is it on a lower setting?

How fast is the processor? Faster then the Celeron?

And finally, please do a battery life test.

Thanks,

Mike

[DigDoug]

- Try and install iTunes on it.

I will be interested to see how an XP program without any possible tweaks toward an ink interface behaves on the 1ghz processors.

- Show us a screen shot of a MS Reader file in portrait mode?

- Show the power brick, and length of cable. If these things really only last 2 hours on battery, we're going to be using them plugged in a lot.

- Battery removal and replacement.. If I buy a spare, how reasonable is it to just carry one around and drop it in when the first gets low?

Thanks!

[Warner Crocker]

Ok, I'm envious. Can't wait to see/hear/view what you think!

[Alslayer]

Could you post a picture with it side by side with the Sony U? How about your tablet pc?

How is the speed?

I wanted a umpc with the control on the left and the right and left mouse buttons on the left. Is the layout with the mouse buttons on the left awkward?

Battery life?

[Joe]

Great that you are doing this.

Here are a few questions...
- how is the casing, does it feel sturdy and strong?
- how sensitive are the screens? Can i lock the screen from touch sensitive behaviours?
- is there any special application from tabletkiosk pre-loaded?
- do we have an option of installing / reinstalling OS?
- will you try installin linux?

I'm not sure if you'll be installing stuff on it but was curious, but sure i hope you'll post atleast one blog from the device... awaiting your review

[Alslayer]

Could you post a picture with it side by side with the Sony U? How about your tablet pc?

How is the speed?

I wanted a umpc with the control on the left and the right and left mouse buttons on the left. Is the layout with the mouse buttons on the left awkward?

Battery life?

[Wesley]

How responsive is the touch screen? Does it strike a good balance between accepting pen and finger input vs. screening out the imprint of your palm/stray finger?

[Josh Bancroft]

Cool - I'm jealous! :-)

Looking forward to photos and impressions, James!

[jtokash]

I'd like to see the eo next to an ipod or a treo. Also, please note the device specs (CPU and RAM) in case the protoype is different than the production units.

Please run some 3D and CPU benchmark tools and post the results.

[Frank]

wow james, that amazing! give us more details!

[rotten_fruit_fan]

Please test the video chip. Intel's solution is terrible, so I'm really hoping VIA's chip can run some games.

I don't need it to run FEAR, just something like Act of War or Command and Conquer Generals.

Please download some demos if you don't have any semi-recent 3D games around.

[Frank]

Could you install VS 2005 express in there?
How is the speed? Some benchmarks would be good.

[Steve Paine]

Well done James.

Comments on the dial-keys would be nice. Is it possible to write an email with Dial-keys. Does it take up too much screen space?

Enjoy.
Steve.

[Tablet PC User]

Can you do a video review?

Thanks!

[joey23]

JK

looks like you've woken up the silent majority out there with your invitation for questions on the eo

I'm interested in it from a business usage point of view. so
- how noisy is it?
- how good is the digitiser in taking notes - how careful do you have to be to not rest your palm on the screen?
- how good is the handwriting recognition
- how quickly can it resume from hibernate/standby
- what do you know about extended battery options
- can you hot-swap the batteries
- how does the Office apps work esp Outlook

I'll also add my vote for a video review if you're able to do it!

Thanks Mate

[Mike Cane]

I see the way you're holding it. That's too bad. I hold the 770 the same way. You will develop what I (unaffectionately!) call "Nokia Thumb" that way.

[TabletPC_M200]

Pictures,...all sides.
BUT PLEASE no flash, just cranCk the ISO to 400 or 800 on the camera. Camera on a tripod helps.
Thanks.

[Ansin Ozturkmen]

I believe the most important thing will be how long battery will last in "idle mode". Yes. Via said 0.1 watt cpu would consume and with screen off, how long will it last? And maybe you should enable power management for some time, you can disable it later.
And as some folks mentioned above, how sensitive is the screen? Nails instead of fingers continue? (in your Sony U-series review, you didn't dislike the touchscreen, but this UMPC is it sensitive as TC1100 or it skips on the half of the letter/word? (mine is very) And is it comfortable to write considering you will not be able to rest your hand on it?

[Jimmy Montes]

I'm interested to know how visible the screen is outside, maybe even in direct sun light?