Asus EEE for $400 with WinXP installed and a Software for remote control of the PPC (Free) would give you same functionality and size but with added benefit of beeing able to run REAL XP applications and do real browsing.
So for me this is too expensive for a BT Keyboard and an 8"screen, if on the other hand it would be something like $200 then...
Asus EEE for $400 with WinXP installed and a Software for remote control of the PPC (Free) would give you same functionality and size
The $400 Asus EEE you're talking about would require an additional $99 for a Windows XP Home license - you can't forget about that. And the EEE PC would have half the battery life or worse - you can't forget about that either. Now it may be that a $500 EEE PC with XP, even with half the battery life, is a better all-around companion...but it's not like you can get a matching solution for $300 and the REDFLY is somehow overpriced against the competition.
Maybe when I see this in person I'll change my mind, but for right now I think this has promise.
I spoke to my IT manager about this product and she thought it would be an interesting concept. Currently, Her team for desktop support have Blackjacks and desktop stations. The department also has locked in storage one laptop that is signed out when a member of the team is called into a project meeting.
The idea is that for the price of the laptop kept in storage, the department could have two of these mobile companions. That way, team members could link to their outlook and other files during meetings without having to bring the laptop or try to take notes with the Blackjack's small size.
The neat part is that without memory or a hard drive, the companion saves you from having to worry about leaving personal files behind as you would on a normal laptop.
Same idea. It died on the vine. I agree with both you guys. Jason, it is a neat concept, and there is nothing that compares to it, to assess the value. I don't think the price is outlandish. If I get a BT keyboard and mouse for my SP/PPC, I'll spend $150-$200. I get a large screen with this which doesn't even really exist. If I have a PPC with VGA out I could probably get a small VGA capable screen of of one of the car trick-out sites, but then we are up to $350-$400 and a bunch of stuff to juggle. My issue is probably more the weight. My little Sony Vaio is only about 3lbs and it has a hard drive, DVD, etc. 2lbs is a bit iffy I think.
Pete, I do think it is a little high for what it is, only considering what you can get for that amount or just a little more. I would hope this device is pretty much instant on, which is one of the reasons even my small laptop doesn't cut it in some situations.
It's an interesting idea, not new though by any means. Kind of hope this one actually materializes.
You guys don't have very long memories. Remember the Palm Foleo?
I'm quite certain that we all had the Palm Foleo at the forefront of our minds when discussing this (I know I did).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sven
It's an interesting idea, not new though by any means. Kind of hope this one actually materializes.
What device does what this does? Remember the Foleo was supposed to sync with the device, not be a conduit for viewing/data input. That means duplication of data, potential sync problems, data security issues, and other factors. I've never heard of anything like this device - what device were you thinking of that duplicates this one?
I know it seems like I'm defending this to the death, but I reserve the right not to like it after seeing it in person. I just think people are being a bit hard on it without knowing much about it.
I'm browsing with my Samsung Q1; on it the right portion of the site is off screen (beyond the native 800 px wide) so I didn't see there was a second page.
I hadn't seen Sven's remarks; but most of my previous post is still valid tho.
What device does what this does? Remember the Foleo was supposed to sync with the device, not be a conduit for viewing/data input. That means duplication of data, potential sync problems, data security issues, and other factors. I've never heard of anything like this device - what device were you thinking of that duplicates this one?
Maybe I am mistrepresenting or misremembering the Foleo. My take was that it was more of a terminal for the phone device than an independant unit with sync capabilities, which made it seem much the same as this unit. Not sure how much you could have done with either unit, if the phone weren't in the picture, but primarily I pictured them both as a dumb terminal to the phone.
The $400 Asus EEE you're talking about would require an additional $99 for a Windows XP Home license - you can't forget about that. And the EEE PC would have half the battery life or worse - you can't forget about that either. Now it may be that a $500 EEE PC with XP, even with half the battery life, is a better all-around companion...but it's not like you can get a matching solution for $300 and the REDFLY is somehow overpriced against the competition.
Maybe when I see this in person I'll change my mind, but for right now I think this has promise.
This is all true, but the difference between both devices is actuall usability.
On one side you get $500 screen and keyboard, that can do only what your WM phone is capable, including crappy browsing, limited (very) office compatibilty and all other limited things...
On the other side you have $500 ultra small laptop, that has lower battery life, but that can do in addition to everything the REDFLY is doing also all the real computing stuff, like real browsing, complete office compatibility including ability to create, not only show Power Point presentations and no limited experience (except when it comes to HW limitations - screen resolution for instance).
Look it's not that I don't find the idea interesting, it's just that one can do the same and more with the same amoint of money in pretty much the same package, and while battery life is important, I guess most people would go for features/funcionality over battery life...
I don't know if I could stand using the mobile versions of word, excel and pocket IE on a bigger screen. Their lack of useable functionality compared to the full versions would just be emphasized.
Anyways, it only has an 800x480 screen, that's not enough of an increase in resolution from quarter VGA... I have troubles working on laptops with 1024x768 screens.
I really don't have any problems with activesync automatically syncing files between my laptop and my pocket PC, so the (gasp) "horror" of having two copies of files is not a problem for me.
If you gave me one, I'd probably try it out, but for $500 no way. I wouldn't even get one if it were $200. I just don't see how it fits in with my laptop and smartphone and with way I work. If I wanted to carry another piece of kit when I travel it wouldn't be this thing, since it can't replace my laptop... it'll just be another fragile computer like item I'll have slop out at the TSA check station and take care not to lose or break. It certainly would not be carried along during daily activities... I don't use or have a man-purse.
I also cannot see how it can fit in at my work place... we already all have laptops with media bay batteries that will last pretty much the whole work day while in meetings. (I know it's not in the same price range, but since we already have these laptops, the extra battery costs ALOT less than this device.)
I just think people are being a bit hard on it without knowing much about it.
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