ASUS W5fe SideShow Notebook reviewed
By Conrad Quilty-Harper 
posted February 17th 2007 11:25PM
posted February 17th 2007 11:25PM
You've seen it being announced, you've browsed the hands-on photos, and you've even checked out our video feature (right?). Now it's time for the in-depth review of the first laptop to take full advantage of Vista's SideShow feature: ASUS's W5fe SideShow Notebook. PC Magazine is the first to get a chance to sit down with the machine, and their overall impression of SideShow is a good one, although there are a fair number of niggles with this particular implementation. There's no questioning the value of having a small screen to quickly check up on information like email and stock tickers without booting or waking the machine: unfortunately, because Vista is fresh off the block, there aren't a lot of other "gadgets" kicking around. The 1GB of integrated flash memory is a nice touch, but it's not a substitute for the complete inabilty to access the laptop's hard drive when the unit is off or in sleep mode. On top of that, the included battery could only manage to keep the system and its two screens going for 47 minutes when playing a DVD. Because of these hardware limitations and the current dearth of gadgets, the W5fe isn't a particularly appealing package if your main motivation for buying is to get SideShow. That's not to say that SideShow is doomed, because whilst this particular model may not meet the initial vision of SideShow, it shouldn't be long before developers start churning out more [Via SlashGear]
Eh. I write widgets for Konfabulator. I took a look at the gadget framework and was throughly unimpressed. Microsoft's gadgets have capabilities equal to, or less than Google Homepage Gadgets. Yes, thats right, not Konfabulator or Apple Widgets, but crappy HTML/Javascript only ones. Theres no hardware accelerated animation, or system access. So basically all you can make are clocks and RSS readers. Thats gonna get boring fast.
There is a huge difference between SideShow gadgets and the other gadgets you mention. In additon there is a difference between SideShow Gadgets, SideBar Gadgets and Live Gadgets (web). You are being more of a fanboi and haven't done your homework on SideShow. You are wrong about the SideShow gadgets being HTML/Javascript.
My only question is...when will Apple copy this feature (along with ReadyBoost , HypperDrive) etc. and then try to pawn it off as their invention?
Yeah, because Apple is the one that copies Microsoft.
Umm remind me who had fast user switching first?
Who gives a fuck who came up with an idea first. Everyone copies everyone else in the end. Personally I wish Apple would copy more of the features in Windows. Finder sucks my right nut sac compared to Windows Explorer. Then there is Windows's integrated remote Desktop Connection which is way better then Apple’s . . . Oh wait. My bad. You have to go 3rd party to get that. Then you have Apple's craptastic feature of needing to drag programs into the garbage to uninstall it and leave all kinds of shit behind in your Library folder. While Windows implementation is far from perfect at least its intuitive. Yah know; what Apple’s OS X is suppose to be.
Finally you have OS X's shitastic garbage bin. Where its not possible to just delete a single file or a few large files to clear up some space. Or set the bin to only use X space on your drive. No. You've got that sweet, sweet feature of all or nothing for the bin. Seriously. Someone at Apple needs to be hit over the head with a clue by four. Apple puts in useful stuff into their OS. That can’t be denied. But for the love of god they are missing some of the fundamentals. While MS could learn a few things from Apple at least their feature set lets you customize the living crap out of Windows. OS X? Get ready do download a crap load of haxies to get the OS the way YOU want it.
Its been a year now since I purchased my MBP. I don’t regret it but the zealots need to STFU. Apple sucks ass as hard as Windows in some areas. And certainly Apple could stand to borrow some of Windows features to make it a more flexible.
This thing is not going to take off. Who wants to take out their laptop from the case and check to see if they have a new e-mail from SideShow?
considering sideshow can be remote and wireless, perhaps bluetooth to a sideshow watch connected to the laptop where you can get updates on emails, messages, etc.
And i have to agree with engadddjet theirs a difference between the sidebar, sideshow and live gadgets, sidebar are not accelerated yet but they said an upgraded version 2 will offer WPF gadgets down the line. as for sideshow theres still limited info on them but no crap they will be limited their designed to be hardware portable to remote controls, side screens, phones, even smart watches.
Last i checked apple gadgets and konfabulator arent portable to embedded devices of multiple types ... so stop being such an apple fanboy.
I'm sorry, but I don't see why I would want this ugly hump on the laptop lid.
Wouldn't a tablet PC-style rotating screen just be an entirely better idea, or am I just not getting the point?
Apple invented Widgets 25 years ago. Back then they were called "Desk accessories". See here:
http://www.folklore.org/StoryView.py?project=Macintosh&story=Desk_Ornaments.txt
Oh, and if you haven't noticed, that screenshot from 1982 has "File Edit View" too. That was three years before Windows 1.0 my friend. Next time, before you open your mouth do a Google search or two. That'll help you look less stupid.
"when will Apple copy this feature"
yawn. Macs don't need this. You can open the laptop and USE it. OS X has had 'wake from sleep' enabled since Hammer pants were in style.
Why again do I want this 'feature'?