Handtops, UMPC - Flipstart Rules!!!! [first impressions]

01/23/08 + rr0123

I just got mine. I've only played with it a little, but I am already impressed. It really is like a smaller U101. Performance is excellent, video playback is awesome. The screen is great. The click-type buttons will make it much more difficult than the U810 to try to touch type, but with the smaller size I can see how why they would have made that decision on the conclusion that it might work better for most situations.

I did not buy I flipstart at its opening or initially reduced price, b/c I thought it was just too expensive, esp. for a mere 30 GB. But at $699 it is a truly amazing deal. It is a better machine than the U810, not even close.

I am thinking of getting another one!! At this price, it is the BEST handtop out there, IMO.

02/12/08 + snowviper

So FS vs. UX (UX390n), is it a big different or is it marginal.

02/12/08 + ozone

If I have my own legitimate copy of XPSP2, does it make more sense to get the Vista Business version then? I'm assuming if I'm not happy with Vista's performance on the FlipStart, I can just download the necessary drivers and then install XPSP2.

Good idea?

02/13/08 + mhoepfin

ozone,
That's what I did, since I could use the copy of Vista Business. So far happy with Vista. The drivers and everything for both Vista and XP are on the FS support site.

02/13/08 + ozone

mhoepfin... thanks. I'm really tempted to try the FlipStart. I was hauling my tablet (HP2710p) around Toronto the other week for a business meeting and I realized I tend to carry too much, and I really didn't access my laptop all that much other than to take notes, which I guess I could have done on a notepad. I find a tablet is great for *structured* meetings - not so much for on-the-run or instant conversations with the boss.

I've always struggled (well, as much as gadgetitis is a struggle!) with the appropriate technology to carry. Admittedly, I would not have looked at the FS if it wasn't for the much reduced price. My tablet is under 4 pounds, but with the extra battery and power cord, it's up to 6 lbs. and it does take up room.

I wish the FS had 1GB of ram at least. I'm hearing that its performance under Vista with only 512 MB is decent?

Thanks.

02/13/08 + davek22

Hi there, I am new to this forum. I bought a flipstart from the US and shipped to UK. I think its great device but have an issue with the audio. I seem to get broken audio on the windows opening music, and then when I play MP3s through Windows Media Player I get strange artifact sounds and glitches. Does anyone else have this problem or know how to rectify it? I have tried everything bar Windows reinstall. The install I have is clean except for Halo 1 loaded and VLC player. I uninstalled VLC and same problem so I dont think its that. Any help much appreciated.

02/13/08 + Orgwon

davek22 - Have you installed the RealTek driver and utility from the FlipStart download site? Also, mess around with the audio settings in the RealTek Utility found as an applet in control panel. I'll bet you have FlipStart with Vista, correct?

02/13/08 + mhoepfin

ozone - I use the FS as really my only computer at home (although we have 2 or 3 others, including an OQO 02). It's convenient in that I can take it around the house. When I travel for work, I have a T61 that I have to use, and having a smaller computer like the FS makes it easier to bring it also. Otherwise, I'd be carrying two laptops.

I didn't buy it when it was $2k because of the ram, but it became a non-issue at $699. Net-net is that I see same if not better performance on the FS at 512MB ram than I do on the OQO 02 at 1GB ram. The processor and graphics cards in the FS make a significant difference. Also, there is a post here from one of the FS guys where they said they only saw about a 10% gain in performance with 1GB ram when they were benchmarking internally.

02/13/08 + ozone

Interesting mhoepfin... ach... I'd really like to spend the money to get one just to try it out! So, you're using Vista and there's no real problems I take it? What I'd like to know is how they benchmarked a 1GB ram in a FS. Did they customize or hack one somehow?

Part of my dilemma was that I was sold on getting an Asus eee. I've tried one out (we can actually get them in Canada!) and I can touch type on it, I find the screen fine, and I like the idea that it's "big enough" to have a touchtypeable keyboard, larger touchpad, VGA out, ethernet in, etc. without needing to bring along a portable keyboard, dock, and mouse that the FS would entail if I wanted to do extended work on the road. I'm trying to minimize not maximize my travel baggage. Mind you, the FS looks pretty durable and its processor is better than the Celeron that the eee has, and it just seems neat to try. Also, I'm not a Linux user, and then I'd have to install Windows on the Asus and then worry about optimizing disk space. So, it seems like the FS might be a better alternative than I originally considered.

02/13/08 + davek22

Ozone, no I have XP. Its really annoying, I get stutters in all my sound playback at the moment. VLC stutters on movies and WMP stutters on music. I have the realtek utility that is included in the XP install but nothing more. Is the one from the flipstart site an updated version?

02/13/08 + davek22

Sorry my last reply was to Orgwon...very similar names!

02/13/08 + mhoepfin

ozone - I wouldn't worry about performance, esp. compared to the eee. The body of the device is almost all metal, it's a tank.

It's a well thought out device...

It's the Treo of UMPC's - Lot's of thought to usability and ergonomics, yet no respect because it's not the prettiest.

02/13/08 + mhoepfin

Oh, one other thing to add..

What I find funny is all the negative reviews I find came from journalist/bloggers who did not spend much time with the device. Now go try to find something negative from the (albeit few) folks who have bought one and used it for a while.

02/13/08 + Orgwon

davek22 - Try installing the driver and utility set from the FlipStart download site. If that does not work return it because there may be a short or blown speaker. BTW: Does this happen when listening through the ear buds? if so it is most likely software / OS / driver / utility related. Good Luck...

02/13/08 + davek22

It happens through the earbuds too. I am on mine now and notice the glitches coincide with the hd activity light on the unit. I am going to try the drivers and utility on the site. Man its bugging me! I dont want to send it back due to the distance and costs involved. I may try windows re-install if nothing else as it may be Halo that caused the problem.

02/13/08 + 2disbetter

davek22 said: "Hi there, I am new to this forum. I bought a flipstart from the US and shipped to UK. I think its great device but have an issue with the audio. I seem to get broken audio on the windows opening music, and then when I play MP3s through Windows Media Player I get strange artifact sounds and glitches. Does anyone else have this problem or know how to rectify it? I have tried everything bar Windows reinstall. The install I have is clean except for Halo 1 loaded and VLC player. I uninstalled VLC and same problem so I dont think its that. Any help much appreciated."

I wouldn't put it past Halo, I seem to recall it used a crappy sound interface. I would suggest unistalling it as well. Also of course make sure you have all the latest drivers. Check your processes as well, and see if any process is spiking while you're playing music. I would also suggest trying something like winamp to play mp3's and see if the sound glitches occur then.

Good luck and let us know if you have anything to report. ;)

2d