Hands-on with the WiBrain B1 UMPC
While the crew at Engadget is a little divided over whether the VIA-based WiBrain B1 UMPC is really handsome or really fugly, we did jump at the chance to get our paws all over it. The little device actually feels really good in your hands, though its awkward keyboard would definitely take some getting used to. We did feel right at home with the touchscreen, however, which was amazingly sharp, clear, and pretty darn high-res. Take a look at the gallery below (which includes some size comparisons) and see for yourself. Side note: the VIA rep who was showing the device off says these have launched in the US, but we haven't confirmed that yet.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Miles @ Jan 7th 2008 10:52PM
eww
Flashpoint @ Jan 7th 2008 10:54PM
Its ATARI LYNX with a keyboard.
Motoken @ Jan 7th 2008 10:57PM
That thing is huge! It looks like it could fly, and its ugly.
rob @ Jan 7th 2008 10:58PM
these are on sale at my local fry's.....just saw them the other day
jojo @ Jan 7th 2008 11:03PM
It's ugly.
mushrooshi @ Jan 7th 2008 11:06PM
That's hot.
charliex @ Jan 7th 2008 11:18PM
looks like one of the old calculators
Steve Paine @ Jan 7th 2008 11:32PM
They are available. I have an early review too. I call it the power brick! Its a powerful UMPC but shaped like a brick ;-)
I have a fairly detailed first impressions post on the WiBrain....
http://www.umpcportal.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1122
Cheers!
Steve.
Ryan @ Jan 7th 2008 11:54PM
Forget all these UMPC wanna-be's. The eee pc blows them all away.
Norock @ Jan 7th 2008 11:59PM
psh!! that thing looks awesome!
scott @ Jan 8th 2008 12:19AM
$$$?
Constable Odo @ Jan 8th 2008 12:22AM
The concept is nice, but that keyboard really does suck even if it is partially useful. It's gonna be really tough to put a really decent keyboard on a machine that size. I'd use it if I needed a small computer to carry around.
Reader @ Jan 8th 2008 12:25AM
Hmm, looks like they misnamed it. The proper name is TI-923.
YoJIMbo @ Jan 8th 2008 1:35AM
It looks like the took design tips from the old TRS-80 hand held "computers" of the early 80s. They need to hire a designer or 40.
Russell @ Jan 8th 2008 2:04AM
Anyone know the status of linux drivers for this thing?
Karthik @ Jan 8th 2008 2:19AM
PSP- ish ?
OneLove @ Jan 8th 2008 12:28PM
only veronica belmont could make that thing look pretty.
jon @ Jan 22nd 2008 4:57AM
why do you people think this umpc is ugly and not usefull. if i had 850 to spend on somthing this is what i would get.
Wolf3d @ Feb 26th 2008 11:51AM
I think I will buy it. Maiby it's not very beautifull, but it costs like a half of htc shift, but i think that best version of b1 should run vista too. I want to ask if b1 could be shipped to Lithuania? (Eastern Europe, near the Baltic sea for those who dont know it )