Handtops, UMPC - cPCs detaled specs + external resolution

cPCs detaled specs + external resolution
handtops.com forums : Dualcor cPC : Talk about the Dualcor cPC

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thread starter

02/13/06 + lironharel

-163 x 83 x 30 mm, 550 grams
-1.5GHz Via C7-M CPU (for Windows XP TabletPC Edition 2005)
-400MHz Intel XScale PXA263 CPU (for Windows Mobile 5.0)
-1GB of DDR2 RAM
-40GB hard drive (accessible by both OS. Seen as C: by XP, seen as a network drive by the PocketPC OS)
-1GB of NAND flash memory
-800x480 262k colours 5" touch-sensitive display made
-data input via a stylus or the trackstick plus the mouse buttons on the front of the computer
-headset connector, stereo headphones connector
-Compact Flash type II slot
-mini VGA port up to 1600x1200 external resolution (you may work on the external monitor with xp tablet while you work on the cPC with windows mobile), 3xUSB 2.0 ports
-speaker, microphone
-comes with a full-size stowaway keyboard
-adjustable display-angle docking system
-both OS share the same Microsoft Outlook repository (no sync needed)
-WiFi 54g

the second model would eventually integrate 3G

Other versions are on the design boards:
-a cheaper/thinner cPC using a single system-on-chip processor
-a larger cPC using a 7" display

I hope I gave you enough information

Replies

edited: Feb 15 2006 + educationk12

Does ANYBODY know if the dualcor will have a chip that will do Widescreen. For example, I'm super glad it does UXGA 1600x1200, but does it do 1600x1024 like for this sweet 17.3" display? link

Or even 20" wide screens...I think it is 1600x1080.

Does dualcor answer emails with intelligent replies or are they generic responses from mindless card readers? For some reason I doubt they will know this answer until the product has been released. But I think I already know the answer, it is going to be another device that skips a zillion resolutions.

02/14/06 + pyramid6

These specs are nice, except the size. Pocketable means I can put it in my pocket, which means I can take it with me.

I have owned, broke, fixed, broke again: iPaqs, a Sony U, a tablet PC, Treo 600s, Sony Vaios, Sharp Zaurus(C), countless notebooks, desktops, and servers. I will probably own the cPC at some point too. The OQO is the most useful, provided I can get an internet connection.

Basicly, put a keyboard, good connectivity, let it run the programs I want, and put it in my pocket, you have a winner. I don't care if it has OQO, DualCor, Apple or MS on it. I want features not a brand.

For comparison, you can't put dual Intel dual-core Pentium 4s with 15K rpm drives in your pocket, so everything is slow by comparison.

I'm not trying to flame, just hoping to explain why we seem to love the OQO so much.

P6

edited: Feb 14 2006 + educationk12

At this point, I really feel there should be a thread about the size issues of the dualcor. I mean every single thread seems obsessed with the comparison. So here...

link

edited: Feb 15 2006 + educationk12

Windows Mobile 5.0

I'm assuming this is a quad-band gsm device...right!? Any possibility this could work with Verizon...I think Verizon has one GSM phone.

Compact Flash

Do people still use CF? I mean this was neat for the U750P, but isn't it getting taken over by other technologies?

Isn't the Intel 400Mhz processor a lower end mobile processor, isn't it up to 624mhz now?

Another stupid question...

1Ghz NAND flash memory...is this going to work like a fast RAM hard drive...totally confused as to why the device needs this?

The touch screen...is it going to use the same Wacom type pen device like the oqo.

Another problem is turning computers off, I tend to have a ZILLION web pages open and a few applications and I hate turning a computer on and off. The standby mode for the oqo uses an incredible amount of the battery power...why I have no clue, but I it would be interesting to see if this problem is fixed. It's no big deal if you have one oqo that frequents the charger every day or two, but beyond that you are asking for a dead battery. I'm not sure if it is the battery size therefore the dualcor will have the same problem I suppose...I've had thoughts of using more than one oqo/dual-cor in a external monitor/desktop like setup where I'd be using one dualcor or oqo as my primary walk around device and then then say the other devices to serve as the desktop, but turning them on standby would seem to make more sense than to leave them running.

Then again there is the hibernation mode and I have no clue what the difference is between that and standby other than it takes a lot longer and laptops tend to go into hibernation when the battery is dead.

02/15/06 + MeanSquare

Compact Flash: Yes, people still use that. A number of digital cameras have CF slots so you could transfer pictures without a USB card reader. Also, there are CF adapters that read xM, SD, MMC, SM, and other cards. Secondly, CF still has the largest capacity of any card format (by virtue of being physically bigger, I guess). I personally have a 4GB CF card. Lastly, although there is SDIO now, CF cards have always supported I/O and not just additional storage space. There are CF cards that add RS232 ports, bar-code readers, GPS, temperature and electrical sensors, and even car diagnostic readers.

1GHz NAND: I believe that's 1GB NAND. That's indeed a major step up from the 128MB that had been the high end for Pocket PC Flash ROM.

Touch Screen: A I understand it, it has a touch sensitive screen rather than the electro-magnetic screen (with a special pen) that the OQO uses. That has pros and cons. On the pro side, you don't need the special pen and calibration is a bit easier. On the con side, an accidental finger touch reads the same as an intentional one with the stylus and you don't have a built-in right mouse click.

Hibernation vs Standby: Standy simply sets the computer into low power mode and keeps RAM alive with a small amount of power. Hibernation actually copies RAM to the Hard Drive and goes to an even lower power mode (that still supports Wake-on-LAN and other things). In Hibernation mode, you can actually swap batteries. In Standby, you can't (because that's what's keeping RAM alive). Standby works better for short term because it comes back more quickly. Hibernation works better for longer term because it uses less power. For really long term, shutting down is preferable because it uses no power and won't slowly drain the battery.

Recent Blog: MeanSquare's Review of the Sony UX (with comparison to OQO)

edited: Feb 15 2006 + educationk12

The CF thing is interesting but I find it disappointing that they included it, I mean it seems totally useless to me since USB & Firewire seem to do the same thing without taking up valuable handtop space. Are there any of those things you listed that can't be done with USB/Firewire? Like I'm aware that they make I think 16GB CF drives, Sprint had a CF card for their horrific Sprint network similar to EDGE/1xRT, etc. I would be willing to bet that they didn't gain more sales by including CF slot than they would have if they excluded it and made it tade smaller, but maybe it was leftover space with other components so they threw it in?

I'm not even sure if those specs are correct. The UXGA external resolution seems strange, because wouldn't they have hooked the dualcor up to a 20" UXGA monitor instead of a 17" SXGA monitor at CES. Wouldn't they want to advertise that publically on their website. As for the fanless comment, I imagine someone who knows this particular VIA processor might be able to comment. I know that carputers use some VIA processors that are fanless, yet in a bigger box. Lion, I'm not saying your post is wrong, I just wish it was public information from the company. I hate it when I get my hopes up and then the product is mediocre specs when it comes out. They always overlook high res people, it's usually gamer oriented which this machine is going to sell to more business users than gamers, IMO.

What is the difference between RAM and NAND?

Can I use NAND as a ultra fast hard-drive faster than any 7K100 like that GRAM, etc stuff?

That's cool, I have yet to get comfortable with the pen on the oqo and finding that mouse click button is challenging for me, but I imagine if I put my mind to it then I would be more fluid with that pen. It would have been nice if there was a braile like substance on the oqo pen mouse button so it is easier to find. Touching the screen seems like a big advantage, however I know very little about touch screens and I know that Apple Tablet guy was estatic about the OQO having the type of touchscreen that it does. He thought I have installed my own touchscreen...I laughed and said I am not that crazy.

THANK YOU meansquare, really cool tip. I didn't know you could swap batteries in hibernation. I've been stuck with either being near a charger or just turning it completely off. Hibernation saves A LOT of headaches for me when I am not near a charger. Sometimes I wonder why I didn't know these things sooner as obsessed as I am. I think I might put the oqo in standby mode and calculate the percent it uses per hour and likewise with hibernation and post it if it hasn't been posted already. I'm best with numbers and not so great with words, so while I know hibernation uses a lot less power than standby, how much is unclear and a figure would help in determining which to select.

edited: Feb 15 2006 + MeanSquare

RAM and NAND,
RAM is essentially program work space. When the operating system boots and when programs run, they load part or all of their image from the hard drive into RAM to execute. (You can't execute a program on the hard drive. Programs and OSes also allocate chunks of RAM for temporary information. Whatever's in RAM goes away when you lose power, which is why all those programs have "Save" operations and why the OS has the Registry and other semi-permanent data.
NAND is one version of Flash ROM. (That's inappropriately named because it isn't really Read Only Memory.) Flash ROM in general is non-volatile solid-state storage. The technology was originally used in Pocket PCs and Palms to store the operating system (so you wouldn't lose the OS if you totally lost power). The "Flash" part of the name means that the contents can be written ("flashed") as well as read. Originally, this only allowed the OS to be updated to a later version. Recently, a part of the Flash ROM was used as a kind of internal memory card. (It looks just like external storage to the user.) The first Flash ROM was AND technology. Later, NAND technolgy was developed that was less expensive. For reasons I'm not sure of exactly, NAND ROM can store information in a compressed format to make more efficient use of the storage. However, NAND doesn't support "execute in place" operation where you can actually run a program without loading it into RAM first.

Pocket PCs up to Windows Mobile 5 installed programs and saved data into part of system RAM. When you shut the unit off, it wouldn't really turn off. It would go to standby, with a small charge to keep RAM alive. If you lost power completely, all of that would be lost. The device would return to factory installed condition. With Windows Mobile 5, programs can be installed to Flash ROM and data can be stored there. There is a new "power off" mode that completely shuts off the unit, but, because the programs and data are in Flash ROM, they're still there when you power back up.

So, Windows currently uses a hard drive (or memory cards) for the operating system and storage and RAM for execution/temporary scratch-pad. Windows doesn't use Flash ROM. Windows Mobile currently uses Flash ROM for the operating system and program and data storage. WM also allows use of memory cards and hard drives for storage. Like normal Windows, RAM is used for execution and temporary work space.

Hopefully that's somewhat clear. Ask more questions if it isn't.

The "active" screens like the OQO has were invented for Tablet PCs and the like because, when you write on an paper-sized screen, you can't have it reading your hand resting on the screen. With a screen the size of the OQO, that really isn't an issue. Like you, finding the right-click button is bit challenging. I also hold the pen perpendicular to the screen, differently that I normally hold a pen. (With a pen, it's inside a triangle of my thumb, index, and third finger. With the OQO, my thumb, fourth and fifth finger are on one side and my index and third finger are on the other. My third finger presses the right-click button.)

I think the cPC may have a "passive" screen which reads any touch, including fingers. That's typical of Pocket PC devices. The advantage is that you can use your finger for tapping screen buttons and such.

Recent Blog: MeanSquare's Review of the Sony UX (with comparison to OQO)

02/15/06 + snowviper

HOLD ON , this model will not have cell capability ?
(No 3G ? but still have GSM ?)

edited: Feb 15 2006 + mensrea

"The CF thing is interesting but I find it disappointing that they included it, I mean it seems totally useless to me since USB & Firewire seem to do the same thing without taking up valuable handtop space."

I use my CF cards exclusively for media. Movies, photos, music. As MS noted, 4g cards are widely available now, they're on dealnews right now for $130 after rebate. On the cPC you could use your CF as the equivalent of an ipod and never need your hard drive to spin - saving space, increasing battery life and avoiding fragmentation as you change delete and update your media. I'm disappointed that the OQO doesn't have this.

02/16/06 + lironharel

Something I forgot to say,
If the cpc is connected to an external display, you may run one OS on the external screen and another one on the on-board screen!

02/16/06 + snowviper

will it come with Cell phone layer or they decide to forgo it ?

02/16/06 + muntaser7

prolly no network providers were willing to back this thing (i can't say I blame them), so they decided to release a none cell model first and hope that providers will jump on board in the future.
the cell phone idea is a bad one, they shold have concentrated on (this will piss of educationk12) making it smaller with a keaboard.
educationk12, people will always talk about the size, when a pocketble PC is not pocketble. that's a problem.

this (and you can quote me) will be one of the biggest flops in the last 5 years of portable computing, the whole idea makes no sence, and if you think the OQO served a very small market, this will only intrest the geekest of the geeks.

I am not flaming nor I mean to offend anyone, this is purely my opinion.

02/16/06 + slickster

You guys are oblivious OQO lovers.. The cPC is the only device that can drive two OS's and give up to 300 hours of standby.. Lets face it muntaser you have no clue what enteprises are looking for.. Not a gadget but a USEFUL WindowsXP/WindowsMobile computer..

edited: Feb 16 2006 + 2disbetter

slickster on the contrary, i believe it is you who is not aware of the situation. I see being able to use two OS's as a waste of time and space. Think about this. How much smaller could the Cpc been made if it just ran xp? Your 300 hours of standby time are when using the Windows Mobile OS only, this is with XP completely powered down. This is not a feat as PPC are capable of such things now. The figure of stanby time drops TREMENDOUSLY when both OS are powered up and on Stand by.

The reason why the Windows Moblie OS is being hyped so much for this platform is because of the lack of a built in keyboard. To me beign able to use windows mobile is a waste because xp is the real deal. Mobile is a watered down version of XP. Its redundant. Buy software for xp and then software to support it on your PPC OS. A waste. The only people who will appreciate this is the business exec who has no clue about computers anyway, and just wants to show off the new toy he can barely work.

You sir are like so many others who see only numbers produced by the company in prestine conditions. The Cpc's actual usefullness in the field will be found out only after someone owns it. So before you go slinging arrows at people perhaps you should try an oqo and get on the bandwagon.

As for your last comment... I totally can tell you've never used an oqo. How in the world you can see the oqo as merely a gadget is beyond me. The oqo is a desktop in the palm of your hand, if you can't find a usefullness for that then you truly are clueless.

with all that said, I am happy the cpc is comign out. It will force oqo to make a product that is better. I look forward to the day.

02/16/06 + snowviper

For me i honesly like Flipstart concept (to bad they seem to be hibernating, but hopefully with the release of new mobile processor by intel will jump start flipstart)

Flipstart concept i think is the best for both world and it still smaller than CPC i think

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