Handtops, UMPC - Flipstart reborn? This looks the same!

06/06/08 + Nobody99

I don't know how long this has been around but I have only just come across this so I could be wrong

The price is even higher than the original Flipstart price but at least it is still on sale, also there are upgrades avaliable. Check out this image of the device, this looks like a Flipstart to me

link

link

LCD Size: 5.6" WSVGA LCD(1024x600)

Processor Speed: 1.2GHz Intel Core Solo U1400

RAM: 512MB DDRII

Hard Drive Size: 40GB, 5400RPM w/Heater

Wireless: 802.11 a/b/g, Intel Pro Wireless

Media Drive:Optional (External)

Battery: Lithium-Polymer w/AC Adapter

Operating System: XP Professional

Warranty: 3 Years, 1 Year on Batteries

06/06/08 + Nobody99

Product Summary

Launched in June 2007, the go-everywhere GoBook® MR-1 is a fully rugged, ultra-mobile notebook that combines all of the functionality of a full featured notebook with multi-wireless communications technology into a compact, use-anywhere 4.5"x6.1"x 1.4" new game-changing form factor. The GoBook MR-1 is perfect for military, police, public safety workers and a variety of vertical industry mobile users.

Best-in-class durability and unrivaled portability does not come at the expense of necessary computing performance.
The GoBook MR-1 is equipped with the 1.2 GHz Intel® Core Solo™ U1400 processor, a 533 MHz FSB, 2MB L2 Cache, 512 MB memory (up to 1 GB). This performance—when combined with the optional office dock, an external keyboard, a mouse and a larger display—makes the promise of computing across the spectrum of indoor and outdoor environments a reality. For best-in-class rugged durability, performance and mobility, check out the GoBook MR-1—it works anywhere you work. With its rugged durability and ultra-mobility this notebook can go where no notebook has gone before.

06/06/08 + wodin

Wow! I've got one of those, except for the name and upgradable memory and very slightly different dimensions.

My "office dock" isn't optional though, it came in the box!

The article doen't say how much the GoBook® MR-1 costs, or how big the HDD is.

06/06/08 + wodin

link

Maybe vulcan missed the niche! General Dynamics seem to think they can get four grand for these by catering to military/police.

Maybe they can!

06/06/08 + Nobody99

The MR-1 is far too expensive for the average consumer and products targeted at Government and Military are often inflated but I still find it interesting. The points comparing the Flipstart in the review are interesting but I don't agree with all of it.

From this extremely detailed review which in .PDF format.

link

Key points comparing the MR-1 to the Flipstart.

The GoBook MR-1 shares some of its origins with a consumer product, the FlipStart. That is not a bad pedigree as the FlipStart was backed by none other than Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and has received a lot of publicity. However, the FlipStart was designed as a consumer product whereas the GoBookMR-1 was developed from the start with the needs and requirements of government as well as commercial and industrial markets in mind.

The MR-1 meets or exceeds military standard 810F for drop,shock, vibration and temperature, and has an impressive IP54 ingress protection rating for humidity, water, dust and spillage. The FlipStart, as a consumer-grade device, cannot match any of that. For some reason,the FlipStart still uses an old 1.1GHz Pentium M chip whereas GD-Itronix chose the new and much more powerful yet energy- efficient 1.2GHz Intel Core Solo processor. The MR-1 comes with a 40GB disk and has 80GB hard disk and solid state disk options; the FlipStart is limited to its a 30GB disk and its 512MB of memory is not upgradeable.

The MR-1 can accommodate 1GB of RAM with its dual slot configuration
and is available with a touchscreen and uses the DynaVue display technology that is as good as it gets and
makes the computer usable under all lighting conditions.

You can't get a touchscreen with the FlipStart, and its display lacks the
DynaVue treatment, which means it's primarily for indoors.The GoBook MR-1 offers "slice" expansion modules whereas the FlipStart cannot
accommodate additional functionality and while the FlipStart has 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth and is Sprint Mobile
Broadband ready, the MR-1, in addition to Bluetooth, has the Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG module for WiFi, a whole variety of 3G wireless options and embedded GPS.

On the security front, the MR-1 has a fingerprint scanner and can be equipped
with TPM 1.2. The FlipStart has neither and it also cannot come near the MR-1's battery life.

06/15/08 + diJenerate

The Gobook is MILSpec and IP Rated putting it in a league and price way above our run-of-the-mill handtops with things like hard drive battery and screen heaters, outdoor readable displays as standard, sealed and in some cases submersible bodies and of course my favourite a price tag north of USD5k.

It is in the same class as the Switchback which I personally prefer since it can be dropped four feet onto concrete while on, is expandable, upgradeable submersible up to 1 meter while on and can be run over by a truck and still live to tell the tale.

I'd buy one of these tanks if the wife didn't ask me to justify spending that much on a toy that didn't run on petrol!

diJenerate

Recent Blog: Raon Digital Gets Serious w/First 64-bit Dual Core Handtop

06/15/08 + Nobody99

The Switchback starts from $5995.

06/15/08 + snowviper

Here is a good link for price and options for mr-1

I've been eying this since forever.

link

06/15/08 + snowviper

PS. this one has one down side on WWAN (cost way too much).

06/16/08 + Nobody99

I would love to have one of these, it is the only UMPC, apart from the Flipstart that I am interested in period.