UMPC News has identified a new "toy" entering the market, the Victum Tablet 8 by Acturion

http://www.en.acturion.com/products/victum_tablet_8.htm

http://www.en.acturion.com/products/tablet_8/pdf/Datenblatt%20Victum-Tablet%208%20english.pdf

Maybe we can discuss what we like or dislike about it.

I will make a start:

I like

• the screen size (8.4 inches)
• the sunlight-readable screen
• the touch screen / digitizer dual mode
• the PCMCIA and CF slots
• the expected battery life of 7 hours (or 4 hours with the "slim" battery)
• the "X-handgrip" that makes it easier to hold

What I believe could be better

• memory should not be limited to 1280 MB / 2 GB should be possible
• the processor should be the Core Solo U1400 (or U1300) instead of the Pentium M 1.2 GHz
• integrated HSDPA instead of having to use the CF or PCMCIA slot
• the hard disk should be 1.8 inch instead of 2.5 inch (to reduce weight)
• an SSD option would be nice
• it is too heavy (1.9 kg)
• widescreen instead of the "normal" screen
• I still belong to those who would like to see a keyboard (not a convertible, rather a slider like the HTC shift)

And why I really would not buy it

• the screen resolution is too low - the minimum should be 1024*600, especially looking at the 8.4" diameter

Oh, and by the way, I would a expect new device to run Vista - not because of the eye candy, but because of the added tablet / UMPC functionality

Sadly, it is a common thought to want Vista on the new UMPC's and laptops these days but remember that, even though it is the newest operating system, it really depends on what the computer you're running it on can do with it. Most Ultra Mobiles are just not powerful enough for it and end up giving only decent to sub-par benchmarks.

It seems insane to me that this obvious point is ignored so easily by consumers. Manufacturers though could care little if the computer they sell is running as good as it can as they would just like to see high sales figures. I hope the HTC shift doesn't fall down this hole that the Q1u-V seems to be in.

As for the Victum,

---too thick and heavy

---doubtful it will be cheap

---don't care that nearly all the buttons are on the right side

---Pentium M, no thanks, I agree it should be Solo

---2.5" Hard Drive, silly design choice

---CF slot, why not SD which has up to a soon 16gb capacity and much smaller size

---looks like it was developed by the Borg queen from StarTrek TNG

---no physical keyboard even though the thing is BIG

The name of the device seems appropriate since the purchaser will be the "Victim"  of the old dupe of seeing what they want to see, bringing it home, and finding out that it just didn't match up with the starry dream they hoped for.

It is nice to see that at least it is different from what is out now. At least it's somewhat unique.

Jerry.

What in God's name is that aspect ratio? Is it from the 50s or something? It looks too archaic to touch.

The 1.7-1.9 Kg may be raisonable for a ruggedized device, otherwise is terribly heavy. The Motion LS800 has around 1 Kg. My 12.1" convertible has 1.4 Kg. The Q1 U has around 0.7 Kg.

It is intended for industrial and military use.

yep, it' really big compared to q1u..

..if u calculate the volume, it's 3 times bigger.

 

There is tens of this kind of 8.4 inch rugged tablets... and this one is over one years old. So not really news....

Google image search for rugged 8.4 tablet

What do we say to the Intel 915 graphics? I don't think I'm allowed to post that.

minimage:

What do we say to the Intel 915 graphics? I don't think I'm allowed to post that.

I dunno, it works pretty well on my UMPC. Even with downscaling 1024*600 I can still run an external monitor

I'm not questioning whether or not 915 works. I simply want full support for what comes with Vista, and that means also being able to have something other than dadgummed blue-grey borders and a black taskbar (because that aint me! my computer is about me, not the user interface team!).