Kohjinsha's SR8KPO6S UMPC makes room for optical drive

Kohjinsha's UMPCs have remained largely unchanged over the years -- an SSD here, Intel CPU boost here -- but the firm's latest has managed to accomplish something few UMPCs would even dream of. That's right, this 7-incher includes a full-fledged dual-layer DVD writer, which tags along nicely with the 1,024 x 600 resolution LED-backlit panel, 1.3-megapixel camera, 60GB hard drive, 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth and 800MHz A110 processor. It's also filled with 1GB of DDR2 RAM, Ethernet, a duo of USB 2.0 ports, VGA output, audio in / out, 3-in-1 multicard reader and a pair of battery options promising 3.5 / 7.2 hours of life. The 2.4-pound machine looks to be available at the end of this month (albeit rebadged as a Vye Mini-V S37) for around $1,500.

[Via Ubergizmo]

[bob e @ Apr 10th 2008 9:59AM]

Nice but I am already set on picking up the HP Mini.

[john @ Apr 10th 2008 10:51AM]

I like that this one is a twist/swivel screen for tablet mode. That and Suse-vs-Ubuntu are my only disappointments with the HP.

[Gataca @ Apr 14th 2008 3:59AM]

Hi,

Nice UMPC. Where can buy it ? Do you know an french wholesaler ?
Tks

[Backlin @ Apr 10th 2008 9:59AM]

Whoa! An optical drive? That's something the Macbook Air doesn't have!

And yeah, I know the reason why people.

[Gataca @ Apr 11th 2008 9:28AM]

Hi,

Nice UMPC. Where can buy it ? Do you know an french wholesaler ?
Tks

[The New Guy @ Apr 10th 2008 10:00AM]

Damn, there is NO WAY i'd pay $1500 for it!! (even though it's well equiped).

I mean NOOOO WAY!! (unless i hit those damn lottery numbers. Then i'll buy all you guys one)

[Sam @ Apr 10th 2008 3:36PM]

I will hold you to that

[macximo @ Apr 10th 2008 10:04AM]

Another company on crack!

[Flashpoint @ Apr 10th 2008 10:06AM]

I'd perfer the optical drive space being used for a larger HDD or SSD.

[Sam @ Apr 10th 2008 3:37PM]

With an SSD larger space does not mean physically larger

[Nate @ Apr 10th 2008 10:11AM]

Who cares? It's fifteen hundred bucks.

I think someone forgot to tell these guys that this race is to the bottom.

[Peter R. @ Apr 10th 2008 10:29AM]

Not all umpcs need to be considered in the race to the bottom. Unlike other low-end umpcs/sub-notebooks out there, this one actually has some nice features, the battery life for one(estimated), the LED touchscreen with tablet configuration, and that optical drive. Although for that $1500 price a better cpu would be nice, as well as cutting $250 - $500 of that same price.

[Peter R. @ Apr 10th 2008 10:19AM]

Wow, an optical drive, a touchscreen that pivots into a tablet configuration, led backlit and a possibly 7.2 hour battery life, now thats nice. Now if only they added a better cpu, it could easily be considered the best umpc on the market, well, thats if we're not looking at that hefty pricetag for the premium features.

[lee @ Apr 10th 2008 11:47AM]

I have the prior model and this is a pretty good PC. The keyboard is very small but it is a real keyboard. The tablet mode is good for reading but for text entry, the keyboard is better than any thumb-chiclet or screen-smudge thingy. Battery life for me is about 5 hours.

[john @ Apr 10th 2008 10:50AM]

How compatible with Ubuntu is the hardware?

[Superevil @ Apr 10th 2008 11:12AM]

I wouldn't even waste my time putting Ubuntu on this POS. It looks like a DS for adults.

[foxdude0486 @ Apr 10th 2008 11:00AM]

With the specs, I wouldn't mind replacing the vista they show in the screen shot with XP, use the Vista version that came with it on my much faster desktop. Awesome portable web/emulator/older game laptop right there.

[substance90 @ Apr 10th 2008 11:05AM]

Wow, nice specs! A faster CPU would have been nice, but I guess this is the price to pay for the estimated 7 hour battery life. :)

[shawnmos @ Apr 10th 2008 11:29AM]

It's very cool but too expensive. Also I wonder how Vista runs on it. Seems like the specs are too low for Vista.

[glowpulg @ Apr 10th 2008 11:51AM]

My god engadget is slow. This thing has been out in Japan for over 3 months!. There is even a Youtube video review of it http://youtube.com/watch?v=-l8Cd8kawDc

[Dmitri @ Apr 10th 2008 12:21PM]

glowpulg speaks the truth. I was just over in Japan less then a week ago, and these things were everywhere. My friend bought one without the optical drive at Yodobashi camera. It runs vista surprisingly well. The optical drive ones were close to almost 150000 yen.

[RadioctiveCum @ Apr 10th 2008 6:03PM]

I think it's time for japan to cut some zeros from their currency.

[glowpulg @ Apr 10th 2008 1:02PM]

Just checked the webistes on the video conics.net and kabatek.com and they have it for about $1350.

[Ninjakamster @ Apr 10th 2008 2:34PM]

Yeah, these have been out for a while. Come on Engadget!

The processor looks slow but is quite nice, actually quite nicer than the Via processor in the HP Mini-Note, I think this Intel A110 800mhz processor would beat Via's 1.6ghz processor.

The previous Kohjinsha models without the DVD drive used a 2.5" hard drive, whereas these new SR models use a 1.8" HDD due to the DVD drive.

I'd much rather have the former, I think most UMPC users/owners do not care for a DVD drive except for a very few times to install some programs.

[wasdman @ Apr 10th 2008 9:19PM]

I have travelled with this baby for the last few weeks and it rocks. upgraded from the old model for the dvd drive to watch movies, handles vista better than any other umpc (had a few differnt ones) was going to instal xp but it works fine even with all vista functions enablled. The abilty to simply turn of the dvd drive is a big advantag eon battrey life. I still belive in the race to the top with the target being usability, functionality and wow factor! you dont have to dumb down just becouse every one else does.....

[fuji4582 @ Apr 10th 2008 11:16PM]

So would the concept & target market behind this system be the same as the HP mini-note? If that's the case I can't really see how you can justify a doubling in price. No one is looking for these systems to serve as the primary machine unless you love glasses or hate yourself.

Yes great it's got a DVD player but with a large enough HDD, why not just convert LEGAL DVD's you own.

How small is the text on that screen?

[Antoine @ Apr 11th 2008 7:45AM]

the one you describe is the V800b in Korea and I bought a V801b last month inluding also an integrated GPS and a DD of 80Gb. It cost me 1100000Wons so a bit more of 1100 dollar i guess.

[gsmdot @ Apr 16th 2008 2:53PM]

Hi, Antoine can I know where u buy Kohjinsha V801b because I also want to buy a set.