Kohjinsha SX-series convertible tablet edges out of UMPC territory

Kohjinsha's cranked out some interesting convertible UMPCs, but the new SX-series pushes the definition about as far as it can go with its chunky looks and packed feature set -- this bad boy is probably even too loaded / expensive to be properly called a netbook. You're looking at an 8.9-inch convertible tablet running Vista on a 1.33GHz Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, a 60GB drive, built-in dual-layer DVD drive, WiFi, Ethernet, dual cameras, ExpressCard/34 slot, VGA out, 1seg tuner, card reader, and 2 USB ports, with a 4.2-hour battery life (8.2 hours with the extended unit), all in a 2.7-pound unit about an inch thick. Available soon in Japan for €650 ($1,000) to €850 ($1240) depending on options, let's hope it follows some of Kohjinsha's other devices to our fair shores.

[Via jkkmobile]

[Lowest Ranked @ Jun 23rd 2008 7:51PM]

Very nice; looks to be about the size of your standard DVD case. I'll take it!

[computer.dude.28 @ Jun 23rd 2008 8:50PM]

Do you have a room dedicated to your DVD collection? I'd like to know your definition of "your standard DVD case".

[Brett @ Jul 10th 2008 4:00AM]

we have some SC3 in testing right now, I took some photos with a Sony U101 :

http://conics.net/sc3/

we also have an unboxing video online:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=sfaH4Ok4Bjo

[roach @ Jun 23rd 2008 7:55PM]

For drawing purpose a gpu is needed...no gpu, no go. Even my 3 year old tc1100 (best design ever) has a gpu.

[jona @ Jun 23rd 2008 9:13PM]

i agree... anything with an intel gpu is a dealbreaker

[Cody @ Jun 23rd 2008 7:55PM]

I take it this thing doesn't have a touch screen? Oh, well still looks nice i'd buy it...if I lived in Japan and had any money. :)

[Cody @ Jun 23rd 2008 7:56PM]

Nevermind sorry, I overlooked the tablet part or I just wasn't thinking...probably the latter. Anyways still looks nice.

[bartoron @ Jun 23rd 2008 8:30PM]

It's a tablet, so I would assume it does. O__o

There's no point in having a tablet PC without a touchscreen.

[computer.dude.28 @ Jun 23rd 2008 8:52PM]

Yeah, I don't think they call em tablets if they don't have touchscreens..

[Jimmy Jones @ Jun 23rd 2008 9:15PM]

I doubt this will cross over to the western hemisphere... and I prolly won't mind shedding addition $250 to get me a x61 instead of this bulky guy

[sr1329 @ Jun 23rd 2008 8:15PM]

Okay where's the preorder button?

[SimonRichards @ Jun 23rd 2008 8:43PM]

A great improvement over the tacky silvery plastic of the previous attempts. Good show.

[Ninjakamster (PS360 FTW!) @ Jun 23rd 2008 9:13PM]

I liked the previous models which used 2.5" HDDs, since the last model and this one have a built in DVD drive, they use 1.8" HDDs now.

I think most would rather have a 2.5" HDD than DVD drive and 1.8" HDD.

: (

[sr1329 @ Jun 23rd 2008 9:47PM]

Me too. Any day of the week. In fact if I get it the first thing to go will be that stupid DVD drive to save weight.

[pyrotech @ Jun 23rd 2008 10:09PM]

US version of the Kojinsha line.

www.vyeusa.com

[BChau @ Jun 23rd 2008 10:17PM]

Great spec. Even with built-in digital TV turner (for the japan standard). It is ashame that it won't be selling to the rest of the world.

[apeguero @ Jun 23rd 2008 10:35PM]

Almost what I would dream up spec-wise. Had it had a GPU and, sorry PC guys, OSX, then it would've been perfect. But as it is, it's still a hell of a mini-laptop. I might just sell my Sony UX380 so I can get me one of these. Although I doubt I need that DVD drive so, like Ninjakamster and sr1329 said above, I'd get one sans DVD drive.

[Fr0 @ Jun 23rd 2008 10:43PM]

Since when was Japan a part of the Euro Zone?

[ronald.raygun @ Jun 23rd 2008 11:42PM]

a 1.33ghz atom processor running vista? it can't be very fast then huh?

[Jon Doe. @ Jun 24th 2008 3:04AM]

My 1.2Ghz C2D ULV tablet runs Vista perfectly fine, and while the Atom isn't a Core 2 the ULV does put it closer to an Atom then a normal "performance" processor.

[Jon Doe. @ Jun 24th 2008 3:01AM]

That's because they are called subnotebooks. Just because you guys use a word a crap load of times doesn't mean you are going to redefine the term. Try again Engadget.

And yes I'm going to nit pick and get pissy. The terms have been around for a decade. Its established and it fits.

[Metkis @ Jun 24th 2008 5:41AM]

I see what you did there...

[Ethan @ Jun 24th 2008 12:53PM]

Give it a UK keyboard and ubuntu. Done.

[maverick85wd @ Jun 24th 2008 4:25PM]

It's too bad this thing only has 1 gig of RAM w/ Vista, slap XP on this bad boy and I bet it'd scream. Win 98 for those of you who get real nutty....

[TareX @ Jun 25th 2008 1:34AM]

I prefer XP too. But for a tablet, you certainly need Vista for its phenomenal handwriting recognition alone.

[Johann @ Jul 23rd 2008 3:48AM]

This subnotebook [netbook?] is on my back-to-school list.

I love my current HP dv1000, but it's waaaay too big for on-campus use. With 10 -15 lbs. of books in my backpack, this compact unit will be most welcome! The 9.1 x 7.5 x 1.29 inch footprint is perfect since my university uses little chairdesks in the classrooms. The 8.9" 1280x768 screen of the SX seems just right too. I think the Gigabyte M912 is this unit's only real competition, especially since it uses XP and the Kohjinsha only has Vista.