Real-Life Pictures and Demonstration of the DualCor cPC

[Darius Wey]

Following on from <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/index.php?action=expand,45412">last week's CES report</a> on the DualCor cPC, here are some real-life <a href="http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?ContentId=5709">pictures</a>, <a href="http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?ContentId=5709">thoughts</a> (thanks to Mauricio from Geekzone), and a <a href="http://www.dlmag.com/images/CES2006/R3MEDIA-DualCor-cPC-overview.mov">video demonstration (.MOV)</a> (from dlmag.com) of the device. There are some nice aspects of the cPC that are worth noting:<br /><br />• <b>Shared folder:</b> The cPC includes a shared folder that allows you to share files across both operating systems (Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 and Windows Mobile 5.0).<br />• <b>Instant switching:</b> The system tray of Windows XP and the Today screen of Windows Mobile include plug-ins that permit instant switching between the two operating systems.<br />• <b>Wireless connectivity:</b> Both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are included. Some 3G options will be included in future models.<br />• <b>Resolution:</b> The cPC runs at 800 x 480 on a 5" 262K-colour touch screen LCD. Both Windows XP and Windows Mobile run at the specified resolution.<br />• <b>External keyboard:</b> A DualCor-branded external Bluetooth keyboard is currently in the making and will be compatible with the cPC.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20060110-DualCorcPC.jpg" /><br /><br />It will be released in March at $1500. Are any of you interested in purchasing one?

[kndlewis]

8O :D :lol: :lol: Now we're talking!
Where was this a year ago??

[IpaqMan2]

Oh My Gosh!

I want one.....

say what you want... This is where it's at..

[Perry Reed]

I'm certainly interested in checking it out! And I'm still very curious about how they handle the synchronization between the two OSs.

[tree99]

I find this very interesting and almost tempting, but I think the XP end looks too small. What I wish is to have a Tablet that works the PIM functionality as easilily as a PDA. Maybe there is a software solution.

[Raphael Salgado]

I'm requesting a pre-order and/or beta testing of the unit. ;)

[Perry Reed]

I'm requesting a pre-order and/or beta testing of the unit. ;)

I've been requesting one for a few weeks now. ;)

[whydidnt]

Yes, I am VERY interested. I think it might compare favorably to my OQO, though it is a bit bigger. A couple of concerns that hopefully are worked out - how is data synchronized between the Pocket and Desktop apps, in particular Outlook - and is the phone accessible when using XP? It sounds like they have backed off on the 3G for the initial release, but it would still be nice to use GPRS/EDGE/1XRTT or something to surf in XP without having to connect to another device.

[pocketpcadmirer]

This thing would surely be a hit. I know myraid of people who dont like Windows Mobile. This will surely help them to come close to it and explore it.

For a programming student like me, it would be a great idea to make apps using Visual basic and Visual C++ on the go. This is something I've always dreamt of doing on windows mobile. Sadly there is no software that lets you do this :(

Let it come and I'll buy it(but after a year or two because the prices are too high)

Sunny

edit: one design glitch..no soft key buttons

[pocketpcadmirer]

how is data synchronized between the Pocket and Desktop apps, in particular Outlook - and is the phone accessible when using XP?

I too want to know this. As soon as I come to know anything about sync and stuff, I'd let you know

Sunny

[Johnny Bravo RJ]

Some reviews say it doesn't come with built-in WiFi nor Bluetooth - to add these, user should plug USB dongle and/or CF Card.

Are these built-in or not?

[KTamas]

Nice...but...WM5 running 800x480? Take THAT, third-party software compatibility!...

[pocketpcadmirer]

Some reviews say it doesn't come with built-in WiFi nor Bluetooth - to add these, user should plug USB dongle and/or CF Card.

It comes with 3 usb 2.0 ports :D
No mention of wi-fi or bluetooth on its website

Sunny

[pocketpcadmirer]

Nice...but...WM5 running 800x480? Take THAT, third-party software compatibility!...

Yeah, even I jumped when I read that statement.

[ricksfiona]

As you can see from my previous posts on this device... I can't remember the last time I was this excited over a technology device. This is way cool. I'll buy it first chance I get, hopefully in March.

With the lack of 3G, thats okay. I can always use my BT phone or even go the expensive route and purchase a GPRS/GSM CF card.

[Raphael Salgado]

This may be the first Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC that will work with ActiveSync 4 properly! :snicker:

[KTamas]

This may be the first Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC that will work with ActiveSync 4 properly! :snicker:
Keep on dreaming ;)

[Don't Panic!]

Hmmm.... I'd be looking at $900USD after work subsidys but this here really is a laptop replacement! I'm definitely in if they get it in before the end of the second quater. If they don't make that release date I'll have to choose something else to spend that subsidy on.

[freitasm]

I am actually not convinced this is the ideal solution. Most applications that require mobility can be achieved with Windows Mobile devices running smart clients, and the screen size is too small for Windows XP to be usable - unless you have an external display.

And if the user needs to have a glimpse on his/hers schedule or contacts, a new crop of laptops with external intelligent displays will be able to provide this information without having to turn the whole laptop on.

I expect mobile computing to evolve to a different form factor...

[burtcom]

For a programming student like me, it would be a great idea to make apps using Visual basic and Visual C++ on the go. This is something I've always dreamt of doing on windows mobile. Sadly there is no software that lets you do this :(


How would you like to program in C# compact framework on the go? Not visual, but pretty cool -- I use it to develop some testing apps since I don't havea suitable PC to run visual .NET on...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pcsharp/

The same programmer has made a version of c++, but I haven't used it yet...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pocketgcc/

The guy who made these has dissapeared so it is not currently being maintained, but it is still very usable.

[Raphael Salgado]

The Sony U50/U70 (http://www.mobiletechreview.com/notebooks/sony_vaio_U50.htm) has a 5" 800*600 screen, and I owned the U70 for quite a bit - the touchscreen was not only usable, but the sharpest and nicest looking screen I've ever used, next to my 4" 640*480 screen on the Qtek 9000. So, it should be fine.

I will point out that Windows XP is not really friendly at xxx*480 screens, though, especially dialog boxes and setup programs. When building PCs and it was using the Standard VGA driver at 640*480, I had to make the bottom taskbar autohide in order to get to the Back/Next/Cancel buttons...

[Hugh Nano]

Yep. I want one! :D Not that I have the $$$... :cry:

[Phoenix]

Some things have yet to be revealed about this, but I certainly hope it has GSM/GPRS (at the very least) built into it. 'Twould be a real shame if it didn't.

[Fishie]

Nice...but...WM5 running 800x480? Take THAT, third-party software compatibility!...

Urm not really, you will just have a black bar of 160 pixels on the side.
Kinda like the Toshiba E800/805 PPC 2k3 where non VGA games ran in a quarter of the screen.
But they ran.

[ricksfiona]

I am actually not convinced this is the ideal solution. Most applications that require mobility can be achieved with Windows Mobile devices running smart clients, and the screen size is too small for Windows XP to be usable - unless you have an external display.

And if the user needs to have a glimpse on his/hers schedule or contacts, a new crop of laptops with external intelligent displays will be able to provide this information without having to turn the whole laptop on.

I expect mobile computing to evolve to a different form factor...
Heck, I'm pretty satisfied doing all my computing on my tiny 3.8" iPaq screen and now, I'm getting another 1.2"? Sweet!

I can't wait to be carrying all of my pc apps with me in a useable form-factor without any compromises. The OQO had my interest until I heard all the negative talk. And that price!

The OQO is going to die in a big hurry if they don't do something fast.

All I can say is that competition is good! Keep raising the bar!

[jlp]

I am actually not convinced this is the ideal solution. Most applications that require mobility can be achieved with Windows Mobile devices running smart clients, and the screen size is too small for Windows XP to be usable - unless you have an external display.

And if the user needs to have a glimpse on his/hers schedule or contacts, a new crop of laptops with external intelligent displays will be able to provide this information without having to turn the whole laptop on.

...

I doubt such notebooks will be available in the first quarter. The only one I know of is the FlipStart but it's been vaporeware forever now.

If you really want a quick look at your schedule while using pocketable XP power get an OQO that's twice as small (prices start at $1199 for the model 01) and a WM smartphone.

[Darius Wey]

Some reviews say it doesn't come with built-in WiFi nor Bluetooth - to add these, user should plug USB dongle and/or CF Card.

Multiple sites have reported that the cPC includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. I guess we'll know for sure closer to the date.

[saru83]

next to my 4" 640*480 screen on the Qtek 9000...

i thought it was 3.6", correct me if i'm mistaken.

[Nurhisham Hussein]

A fascinating first hand account (non-review) of the Dualcor:

http://www.handtops.com/forum/1639/1//My_Encounter_w_the_DualCor_CEO_at_CES.html#

[pocketpcadmirer]

Some reviews say it doesn't come with built-in WiFi nor Bluetooth - to add these, user should plug USB dongle and/or CF Card.

I dont think so..no where on the site, existense of wi-fi- bluetooth has been mentioned.

Sunny

[dskeeles]

Hmmm... So we have a WinXP device with no keyboard, tiny screen, short battery life and 40Gb hard disc; or a WM2005 machine that's too huge and heavy to fit in any pocket, with a short battery life.

Sorry, I love gadgets, but no matter how they implement this thing, surely the concept is wrong? It seems like the main market for this, aside from gadgeteers, are companies using mobile devices for their workers, who have some back-office systems in WinXP and some in WM2005 and for some reason can't migrate these systems to run fully on one or the other.

( Just my $0.02! )


[d]

[Nurhisham Hussein]

You can't run any kind of back office system on a WM5 machine - a front end maybe, but not the full thing. And I love a WinXP device in this size - I just bought a Sony Vaio U8G.

[primaz]

I have used most every PDA, and currently use a HP Jornada 728. I have been able to scrap my laptop and Palm by using generations of HPC Windows CE devices yet I have been eager to upgrade for several years.

This new device might be close enough for me to upgrade. I like it has XP and Windows mobile and if it can also perform as a cell phone then I see that it would be worth upgrading for me. Why? I want a device that I can use to be mobile and continue from where I currently am with the 728. I need a touch type keyboard so if that keyboard is foldable or small enough that would overcome the design flaw of no keyboard input and if it also could be used instead of my cell phone then the extra size of a keyboard would be equal to my current situation. I use the Jornada 728 as primary mobile computer and pda and use a Nokia cell phone to connect it for e-mail etc.

What people like me ideally want is a unit that runs Microsoft OS, has a touch type keyboard built in or an integrated one that could be removable if desired, color, standard card slots, and cell and or wireless connectivity. To me the technology is there but nobody has filled the void correctly. Why doesn't someone just copy the Psion 5mx, change the screen to color, run MS OS, use standard card slots, add cell and or wireless and that would be perfect. Nobody in their right mind would want a thumb keyboard; that is a band aid for a lame design. The normal human desired input method is a touch type keyboard, why do computer companies not realize that?

This unit is nice and while does not have a keyboard built in or a removable one as part of the design; I just might buy it?

[dskeeles]

Why doesn't someone just copy the Psion 5mx, change the screen to color, run MS OS, use standard card slots, add cell and or wireless and that would be perfect.

Agreed 100%; the keyboard on the 5mx was a masterpiece, and I've ranted elsewhere as to why someone can't, at the very least, take the keyboard from the manufacturer, and set it up as a Bluetooth device. (The manufacturer must still be around, as the keyboard is used on the Amstrad emailer).

I guess one problem is that normally the keyboards have a cradle for the PDA, and the Psion5 keyboard would be too small to allow this.


Damian

[gibson042]

Nobody in their right mind would want a thumb keyboard; that is a band aid for a lame design. The normal human desired input method is a touch type keyboard, why do computer companies not realize that?
While my preference is for no keyboard at all, there is definitely a market for thumb keyboards: they allow for quick text entry on a pocketable device. Touch typing keyboards are just too big to place on such hardware. So we see a compromise; the occasional large portable device with a real keyboard (the OQO and new DualCor cPC spring to mind) amidst a sea of smaller units with either a thumb-board or nothing at all. And even for those, one can easily find full-size folding Bluetooth and IR keyboards.

[whydidnt]

This is all good debate and really shows how diverse the market is for this type of device. Some hate thumboards, others hate the size required by full touch type boards.

I think a device in the size and weight of the Jornada 728 with modern hardware and updated software might really meet a lot of different needs. Sadly, MS and the hardware manufacturers never really let the handheld PC market mature, so some of us have moved on to tiny XP based machines. The OQO 01+ is a very good design, you can use the thumboard when a full sized keyboard isn't practical, and still cary a bluetooth keyboard for use when it makes more sense.