Slightly - just semi - OT: R2h UMPC can officially be called "released in the US"

I've only got a few things to say at this moment.... first, the reason I only have a few things to say is because I was out of town on Friday and busy all weekend and couldn't pick up a final production R2h until this morning and I've got to tell you....... the demo from this summer a dream and this is just that much better.... the software and drivers have been tweaked and although there is a considerable amount of setup - and then for others - a good deal of a learning curve to get over... but it's just in one word - wicked.

1. We ended up getting the double capacity (4 hour) battery on our US model instead of the 2 hours that's shipping everywhere else.
2. Some said that some UK models shipped without bluetooth even though they were supposed to have it.... Turns out the UK PM neglected to select BT on their order - so there have been a lot of UK requests... the US model has BT 2.0 installed... not an issue, I've tried it to make sure
3. The package is just very nice in general.... It's coming with a usb notebook mouse similiar to that on the S6f - just not leather. The carrying sleeve is very nice as well.... and it just comes with a lot of useful cables.

 

What's the price compared to Sony Vaio UX280P and what are the pro's and con's compared to Sony ?

Thanks !

 

almost impossible to compare, really, based on the specs, price, and Size.$999. GPS, fingerprint scanner.

 

the price is 999 for the asus. it has more features than the sony but but built in keyboard. it even has GPS i believe. So place your order with justin RIGHT NOW.
http://proportable.com/detail.aspx?ID=188

 

It says backordered, do you have anymore in stock?

 

See - here's the problem... people get in on the advanced orders and yet on release day, all the people who put off getting in an advanced order want to buy them and there's all gone... That's why we run the advanced orders - to guarentee supply for those that want it.

2nd shipment will be later this week, the backorder list isn't very big right now, but as we told people we started shipping them on Friday, we've gotten much more interest in them. By time the second shipment arrives - that will likely be sold out as well. So, putting in a backorder with us is the only way we can guarentee a unit from the next shipment until stock stablizes in a month or so.

The Sony has a smaller screen, keyboard and GSM.... it's a great unit in itself, but I'll tell you right now that a full windows OS can't be used properly on a 4.5" screen....... it's not super easy on a 7", but with the higher resolution, it's really not bad at all.

I'll tell you this....... the gps is a no brainer as the KEY selling point to this unit as none others have it. Asus also has a better UI - or at least that's what I've heard from those who have reviewed all of them.....

I'll tell you that having handwriting, voice, touch and the onscreen thumbboard.... the options are limitless.. ok, not limitless, but there are a ton of ways to use it. The thumbboard was something that wasn't totally 100% tweaked on the demo - so I didn't use it... I'm using it now and it's a totally alien thing for me, but the design is good and like other things of the sort, it'll take a little while to get used to and then I'll be hooked... It's much like text messaging on a cell phone, but better...... if you once thought that would be impossible and you're not an expert.... this would come to you quicker than most.

So far, it's an awesome unit for me to check NBR with and use AIM... but it does basically everything.

 

im really looking forward to popping this unit in my bag with my bluetooth headphones on and rocking the portable media! (wow how nerdy is that)

Just one random question...does the unit have a hold button..to disable the buttons and touch screen so i can keep it playing music while i'm walking around? I travel a lot and would rather carry this around than my notebook (Acer 8204)....

OO the thought of diablo 2 on it makes me salivate!

thanks!

 

Yes.. there's a hold slider switch... very handy.

 

Oh, I'm sorry, it looks like we had another five units that weren't accounted for before... they very well may be gone before morning, but as of right now anyway there is some stock left.

 

And what about processor ? Is it adequate enough compared to Core Solo @ 1.2GHz in UX ?
Graphic chipset is 950GMA, correct ?
How much memory does it have and is it upgradeable ?

Too bad that there is no UMTS/HSDPA or at least GPRS/EDGE module built-in.

 

I had my unit in pieces last night and trust me... there's no more room! Also, in terms of the heatspreader... I think the 900mhz Celeron is good... there's no real active cooler - not like there is one in the UX, but I think that 900mhz is how they kept the price down. It's certainly not as fast as a notebook... 4200rpm is the top speed for the little 1.8" hard drives..... and you're trying to run a full windows os. I like the unit and have grown quite close to mine.

256mb on board and a slot that's filled with a 512mb stick - but you could replace that stick with a 1gb stick - or eventually a 2gb stick when those are available.

 

Is there a car adapter available for it Justin?

 

A sales rep in Lonodn showed me one of these the other day, very nice, heaps of ports and connections, he said they are selling very well. I was actually quite surprised though it is quite large for a upmc I was thinking of getting a GPS device that was more functional i.e pda with GPS but the Asus UMPC must at least the same size as a sony TX (if I am thinking of the same device?), mind you it does run windows tablet edition so would be much more usable on the go with a full touch screen.

 

That's hot. I don't know what I would do with one, but it's hot.

 

Use in a few days and you'll have a dozen different uses for it.

 

Shhhh... I have to wait until May before any more major purchases.

How's the handwriting recognition?

 

Handwritting recognition has been awesome since the 2005 update to the Tablet OS........ so needless to say, it's **** good out of the box. If you take the time to configure it, it gets so good it's scary..... but even the voice recognition is awesome on the Tablet OS..

 

I tried speech recognition on my dad's P166 laptop back in 1996, but I haven't played with it since then. I suppose it's come a long way.

My handwriting is abysmal, I wish there was some way I could test it on my desktop to make sure I can actually train it before I invest in a tablet or convertible.

I had been thinking of getting a GPS unit for my car once I get out to California, and good ones usually run a few hundred at least. Have you tried to GPS program that comes with it? Does it do spoken directions?

 

Holy ****! That's an ingenious use for it... plus it's cheaper than most decent car GPS units. I might just have to convince myself I need this. Is there any available software for Windows computers to do live GPS work for navigation purposes?

~ Brett

 

It comes with Streets & Trips 2006 - not my favorite software, but rated very well.......

Just so you know, one reason it's got a 7" touchscreen and built-in GPS is because they really want to make docks in your car to replace the in dash units that people (like me) buy.

 

I'd be afraid of it getting stolen, especially in a convertible like I plan to get.

 

Well, they're not permanent... just like stereo faceplates... just better - you take the entire thing...

 

I'd so buy this if I had the money.

Justin, how's the video playback on these things? I should say, can you play divx files on it without the video stuttering? I'm curious to know because it might make an awesome hand held video playback device (well, of course a more powerful one ) as one of it's uses.

I wonder if they'll make some sort of holder for this that you can attach to your car's visor. But then again, you might be staring at it instead of the road Hehehe..

 

I playback video on my P-M clocked at 800Mhz on battery all the time, so I would expect DIVX not to be a problem for the P-M based Celeron 900.

If it didn't play video, what would be the point?

 

The 2nd or 3rd big feature on this unit is the inclusion of Asus' Mobile Theater - like that included on the Euro versions of the W2.... it's meant as a media playback device and 900 is fine...... I haven't held a UX while it was on for a couple hours.... but looking at their numbers, it has to heat up quite a bit..... I really don't think it's fair to even put the two on the same plate, just becasue they basically only share the technical form factor..... If you see what's stuffed into the Asus unit - you'll wonder how the hell the UX even physically occupies the space it does and even does anything.....

 

Ah, I always thought that you needed at least 1 Ghz for divx playback. thanks for the info.

 

I distinctly remember watching some of the first divx videos on my K2-266 at the end of its life (2003)... Granted I could do *only* that, and all of the fancy post-processing turned off...

 

I have sucessfully played back DIVX movies on my old 300mhz PII laptop, once you play with the playback settings it runs fine.

 

Hey Justin, I don't know if you saw my question the first time so I will ask it again. Do you have a car adapter for this R2H? The reason why I am asking is because I bought the last one yesterday from your site (I hope it ships today!) and noticed your website said car adapter as an option, but I couldn't find one. I would use this as my primary gps and a car adapter is a big plus.

 

just get a power inverter. dc to ac. 20 bucks for one at like walmart. Hey justin just curious have you tried to throw a Low voltage cpu in this thing. does it have the proper chipset. because that thing would prob get great battery life with a pentium m LV.

 

No.... no car adapters yet - but they will be available.. they're smaller than the notebook ones.... of which we have plenty...... but we'll have to wait for Asus to get in their supply of the 35wer's I think they are..... Or do what SRD suggested..