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.

02/16/08 + pierro78

Thanks again rr0123 and Mike for the additional info, that's really helpful !

What about the wifi signal reception ?
Is it really bad like like it is mentionned here : link ??

Thanks again !

02/16/08 + LMc

WiFi is always a relative thing and no matter what device, you can ALWAYS wish it was stronger. The FS is adequate: it works fine at home, at my office and tonight at the shopping mall, I easily pulled in the public signal.

While the small size might have a negative impact on its radio's ability to pull in strong signals,but the small size actually makes it easy just to walk over to the signal and while standing use the integrated mouse and thumbable keyboard to do what ever you wish. Not as easy with a full sized laptop.

While at the mall, we went in to marvel at the new Mac thin laptop; but I told my wife that I would have never just lugged even a thin Mac around like I am now doing with the FS. With the smaller battery, it fits in my pants pockets (well not all my pants, and it does buldge out). I've not been excited about a PC for over a decade; but this one is cool.

02/17/08 + mhoepfin

pierro78 - It's easy to waffle on the purchase decision.

You'll be hard pressed to find a UMPC device as good performance wise.

The only real negative on the FS is that it's a little fat.

That's my view....

02/17/08 + rr0123

Yeah I agree, it's a sweet little machine. You'll find a way to make the keyboard work for you. I highly doubt you'll regret your decision in light of the $700 price. The FP started out way overpriced, but now it's underpriced IMO.

02/17/08 + pierro78

Sure but I wan't to be able to use wifi while going to (for example) the bathroom (one concrete wall to wireless access point) or my bedroom (2 concrete walls to access point), would you think it'll work ??

(it's working fine with my tc1100 tablet pc with 3 bars out of 5 but not with my htc wizard pdaphone, which is losing signal ...)

02/17/08 + rr0123

Quit stressing and just get it. Worst case, you buy a signal booster, and you've still got a fantastic deal given the $700 price.

link

02/18/08 + elsewhere

I'll add another non-specific vote in favor of FlipStart's WiFi-

I've seen places where it hadn't as strong a signal as other PCs...
I've seen places where it was just as strong as other PCs...
I've seen places where it had stronger signal than other PCs...

It probably won't out-perform one of these:
link

If your home (or workplace) has lots of concrete and metal barriers,
you're better off installing a few more APs than trying to boost reception on the PC side.

02/18/08 + ultraman

Hey, I'm really interested in the flipstart...

But how is it video performance-wise?

Could someone with a flipstart either:

Download and run this benchmark

link

or, even easier to do, visit this website and see how FFXI would perform...

link/

I would be of great interest to see how the game runs. I'm curious because I'm fairly sure that the flipstart is more powerful than the EEE PC or the Q1 Ultra.... Could someone please do one of the tests, it would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks

02/18/08 + kellyfrom702

I ran the test for FFXI and it passes on everything but the video card, it reports:

Minimum: GeForce3+ series with 32 MB or Radeon 9000+ series
You Have: Mobile Intel(R) 915GM/GMS,910GML Express Chipset Family (Intel(R) 915GM/GMS,910GML Express Chipset) FAIL: Sorry, your video card does not meet this minimum requirement.

hope this helps ya.

02/18/08 + davek22

Further to my audio poroblem I mentioned last week I think I found the problem.

It seems to be the thumbstick. I did 2x clean intalls from the recovery disk and tried all audio video programs available but same sound distortion. Ended up back with wmp and noticed system spike when using the mouse stick.

Using the pad does not effect video or audio. I am going to try settings or driver change on mousestick as I prefer it to the pad.

02/18/08 + kamodt

Everyone knows that FFX is way better than FFXI. Duh!

Recent Blog: Some choices

02/18/08 + mangamonster

^^ I used to be an FFXI freak too!! Loved that MMO.

Back to the subject...after TONS and TONS of research on a good UMPC that will fit my work needs (I'm a DT support and systems administrator), I'm going to expense a couple of these to the company.I"ve found that this will be a REAL rugged tool that I can use when in the field. I think this will be an excellent IT support tool when I'm out and about helping users or logging into the server to to admin stuff. Damm, I'm really excited about getting one!!

for those of u in IT, i'll do a mini review of my experiences on the product (will use XP Pro).

02/18/08 + snowviper

Here some List of known games that can be play on FS vid card

link

02/18/08 + snowviper

Have anyone compare FS vs. UX390n ?
(I'm in dilemma of choosing one)

I found the review on CNET but their benchmark result is a bit not consistence.

Thank you

02/19/08 + elsewhere

snowviper said: "Have anyone compare FS vs. UX390n ?
(I'm in dilemma of choosing one)

I found the review on CNET but their benchmark result is a bit not consistence.

Thank you"

There are several reviews and comparisons out there;
I think what it really comes down to is personal preference
over the specific hw differences.

FS:
larger keyboard
folding clamshell case
slightly older/slower CPU
a bit heavier
slightly better battery life
touchpad + pointer stick

UX:
smaller keyboard
sliding kb tray, screen always exposed
touchscreen
more options for HDD upgrades
battery runtime is a bit shorter
pointer stick only (no touchpad)

UX generally has more memory onboard. I don't believe either one is upgradeable.
The reviews I've seen seem to favor the FS' screen over the UX's,
but I gather they are both fairly comparable.

If benchmarks are all you care about, I imagine the UX will do "better" at those,
but probably not by much. (Depending on which CPU you've got)