Pricey Flybook V5 now available in America

Call the timing what you will (we're calling it opportunistic), but that ultraportable with the stifling price tag that we first saw some 15 months ago is finally available in the US of A. Make no mistake, this subnote isn't playing in the same pond as the Eee PC, Wind, RazorBook 400 or any other low-cost lappie. Instead, the 1.2GHz Core 2 Duo ULV processor, 4GB of RAM, 8.9-inch display and snazzy enclosure are being aimed directly at those shopping for the X300 and / or MacBook Air. Sure, the built-in 1.3-megapixel camera and integrated WWAN is delightful, but the $3,000 sticker is still quite the stunner. So, the question beckons: anyone on the phone right now placing their order?

[Via Wired]

[Roy @ Jun 17th 2008 8:36AM]

Errr 3,000. Is this a joke?

[LondonConsultant @ Jun 17th 2008 8:40AM]

Gold plating is expensive...

[j_g_puff @ Jun 17th 2008 8:47AM]

Ugly Golden Turd.

I can get one of those for considerably less dough.

[coolbee8 @ Jun 17th 2008 8:52AM]

If it's a joke, then it ain't funny.

[Jarhead2012 @ Jun 17th 2008 10:16AM]

I know! This is ridiculous. I just bought a Dell 1420 with a 2.4GHz core 2 duo processor, 2GB of RAM, and Vista Ultimate for under $1,400. This is absolutely absurd! I've heard people say "Oh, but look at how much RAM it has." Well, Windows can't handle more than 2GB of RAM and i'm sure that a UMPC doesn't need HALF that! This is price-gouging at it's finest.

[Ryan Richmond @ Jun 17th 2008 10:46AM]

Actually.....Windows can handle close to 4gb on a 32 bit system and even more on a 64 bit system....I agree with everything else though....bottom line "it's a polished turd" and we all know you can't do that!

[John @ Jun 17th 2008 8:37AM]

I wonder how long it will take before such companies are forced to reduce their price by 60% or go bankrupt, due to the increase in EeePC and simular 9 inch

[John @ Jun 17th 2008 8:38AM]

I wonder how long it will take before such companies are forced to reduce their price by 60% or go bankrupt, due to the increase in EeePC and simular 9 inch under $500 laptops! Or ther powerfull under $800 versions.

[RD. @ Jun 17th 2008 8:42AM]

Isn't this a convertible tablet as well?

[Francois @ Jun 17th 2008 8:57AM]

Seems like it yeah, looking at the picture.

Still, this is a joke. for that price you could buy a few eeepc's. hell, even mod one into a tablet if you have to.

[ronzo @ Jun 17th 2008 8:47AM]

"anyone on the phone right now placing their order?"

Not so much, no...

[Eric M. @ Jun 17th 2008 8:56AM]

"Anyone on the phone right now placing their order?"

I AM! I have my greatest enemy's credit card and nothing but devilish thoughts in my head. This $3,000 lappy will get him back for sending those pizzas to my house.

[TareX @ Jun 17th 2008 8:58AM]

3,000... well after the inital shock:

IF this hinge joint rotates to a tablet-mode touchscreen.
and IF this has a decent GeForce 8800 or an equivalent, to match the Core-2-Duo on it.

Then, this may be a one of a kind mini-laptop, which may deserve it the pricey price tag. Mainly because it is too high spec-ed for this small form factor AND tablet mode.

But only IF it had a decenf gfx card inside.

[initialxy @ Jun 17th 2008 9:01AM]

double post, i can understand. 14 posts in a row? dude you got virus.

[initialxy @ Jun 17th 2008 11:38AM]

haha looks like that 14 posts in a row guy got removed by admin. but my reply remained.

[natels @ Jun 17th 2008 9:37AM]

I don't see the point of 4G of RAM and only a 1.2Ghz processor. Cut the RAM down to 2G and the processor up to 2Ghz.

[stillen @ Jun 17th 2008 9:47AM]

Looks like a small, painted, Latitude D810 from that angle. That thing wasn't the prettiest of its time...even if i had the money, it would not be a go for me.

[Stranger @ Jun 17th 2008 10:09AM]

Don't you think it looks more like a C600-series? As soon as I saw the picture I thought about the Latitude C610 I once owned.

[jaalin @ Jun 17th 2008 9:50AM]

the battery life on this has to be pretty bad...

[konshuss @ Jun 17th 2008 10:14AM]

fanboys tend to repeat themselves...

[happy_penguin @ Jun 17th 2008 11:22AM]

Good god I hope the editors delete those comments. Ridiculous!

[happy_penguin @ Jun 17th 2008 12:02PM]

Thanks, guys for getting rid of that crap. :)

[happy_penguin @ Jun 17th 2008 11:28AM]

Nothing pretty about it. :(

[Chuckles McGee @ Jun 17th 2008 3:54PM]

It's such a fatty too.

[wilcoholic @ Jun 17th 2008 12:35PM]

This is the funniest thing I've ever read! The sony vaio TZ destroys this thing without even trying. For $3000 you could get the highest end model of the TZ with all the bells and whistles wich would destroy this thing.

[Brenda @ Jun 17th 2008 5:58PM]

Actually, it has been available in the U.S. at least since October of last year. I know because that is when I purchased mine (although I went with a Canadian vendor instead for multiple reasons).

I have been *very* satisfied with the unit. It is sturdy, highly portable, light weight, and gives me whenever, wherever connection to the internet (via LAN, WAN, or WWAN (cell)) which is important because I support a web-based app. I just stuff it in my backpack and hop on my bike...

Yes, it is a convertible with a (passive) touchscreen and a decent video chip. Mine isn't as good as the current configuration selling (both processor and RAM - mine was limited to 2GB), but my Windows Experience Index is 3.1. I have an unlimited data plan with AT&T - just stuck a SIM card into the slot under the battery.

There isn't a lot of info out about the units - I started a blog when I purchased mine, so if anyone wants to ask questions there, I'll do my best to answer them (or someone else will chime in). It's called the Flyblog and is found at: http://www.flyblog.wordpress.com (hopefully I'm not violating any Engadget rules with the url). I'm not affiliated with Dialogue in any way... just an Owner. If you do post, I would appreciate it, if you stick to constructive dialog.

[Newt @ Jun 17th 2008 11:14PM]

Oh, and to answer the graphics question. I don't know about the units currently shipping, but mine is listed as "Mobile Intel 945 Express Chipset Family" - 0 dedicated graphics memory, 64MB Dedicated system memory, and 192MB shared system memory. It yields a WEI of 3.3 for graphics.

It's important to point out that this is an ultraportable, business-class, HSDPA tablet. Not everyone needs these requirements and by all means they should purchase cheaper laptops or web-surfers to fulfill their needs. However, if you are going to compare prices, you should compare it to other ultraportable, business-class, HSDPA tablets. Just because this unit doesn't meet *your* needs doesn't mean there isn't a need *for* it.

[shreyashi @ Jun 18th 2008 12:57PM]

The price tag is too high to even bother.