Kohjinsha SC3 convertible UMPC hits the test bench

Shortly after the Kohjinsha SC3 was removed from the comfy confines of its packaging and exposed for all to see, said UMPC has managed to get reviewed. Initially, impressions were quite positive, as the reviewer noted that build quality was "superb," the size was adorably small and the display satisfied all expectations. As for sheer performance, the Menlow-based rig excelled as it churned through applications with no huge lag issues; however, all that computing made the unit exceptionally warm, though it did remain quiet even when breaking a sweat. Battery life was shorter than advertised (only 2.5 hours), but aside from that, there wasn't a whole lot to gripe about. Think it's too good to be true? Head on down to the read link for videos, benchmarks and impressions.

[who? @ Jul 19th 2008 8:52PM]

If I had the money, this would SO be my next computer!

[who? @ Jul 20th 2008 1:50AM]

Ok, gotta ask:

Is there ANYTHING I could have written that people wouldn't have low ranked me for??

Obviously if I said it was crap, I'd get low ranked, and obviously when I said it wasn't, I got low ranked, what do you want from me?!?!

[Paulmichael @ Jul 20th 2008 9:10AM]

First, I think you spoke too soon - That comment has a neutral rating now.
Second, who cares? Why are you trying to please so many random people, most of whom you'll likely never meet in person?

[who? @ Jul 20th 2008 2:01PM]

I didn't actually care, I was just curious about how the comment section works, so I could be sure to type my opinion second in the future to get my opinion out there without getting people pissed people off. That is what a low rank signifies, right?

[SuperSexyErik @ Jul 19th 2008 8:59PM]

looks good. runs vista though =/
There is a company trying to get OSX for non-apple computers. i cant wait for that.

[Itsuru @ Jul 19th 2008 9:03PM]

Pystar? That turned ugly.

[SuperSexyErik @ Jul 19th 2008 9:07PM]

hmm I'm not 100% sure. Not pystar tho. I think if you google "run osx on pc"

[SuperSexyErik @ Jul 19th 2008 9:10PM]

here i got it.

http://www.osx86project.org/

[Hamidxa @ Jul 19th 2008 9:50PM]

You should thank your lucky stars it runs Vista instead of OSX.

Vista is clearly a superior mobile platform OS, hell, it's clearly a superior OS period.

[fh @ Jul 19th 2008 10:09PM]

If you're just looking for the GUI, you can try gOS Space:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25318428@N06/sets/72157604375139803

[SuperSexyErik @ Jul 19th 2008 10:13PM]

vista...supirior to osx. Is it April fools day already ?? :D

[quiksilv3r @ Jul 19th 2008 10:15PM]

Yea, try handwriting recognition on OSX. Or any tablet features...oh wait. tablet features????

[deyanimay @ Jul 19th 2008 10:26PM]

It clearly says windows seven to the right of the screen. Jk

[SuperSexyErik @ Jul 19th 2008 10:30PM]

@quicksilver
LOL :)
iPhone has handwriting recognition :)
Even though it's a noobs tool...LOL
Research next time

[daliminator2000 @ Jul 19th 2008 11:09PM]

The OSx86 project isn't a company. And it's been around for a while - and it works.

[Phoenix @ Jul 20th 2008 11:48AM]

@SuperSexyErik

iPhone has handwriting recognition? Now let's look at this closely...

-It's got a capacitive screen, (hence expensive stylii) and no stylus slot. ever tried handwriting recognition (writing Latin characters) with your finger on a screen that small? Not easy.

-As far as I can see after a google, it's Chinese only. I could be wrong, but I'd have found something quickly I'm damn sure.

-The iPhone version of OSX is NOWHERE NEAR Vista in terms on functionality. Trash Vista all you want, it's a PC operating system, the version of OSX you're talking about is a MOBILE operating system.
Running the iPhone firmware on this device (if it could be done, which I doubt) would be a total waste. It wouldn't use the resources properly and it would be a waste of a screen that big with graphics designed for a screen a third of the size.

OSX was never designed to be used on a tablet, apple does not make one. hence if installed on a tablet (x86 or Modbook) it's not as good at tablet-specific stuff as Vista or XP Tablet.

And you say handwriting recognition is a n00b's tool. It's not. Millions of people use and love it on a day to day basis

Please, just get to grips with the fact that people like, want and need different things. OSX is a great OS. So is Vista. But it depends on your needs, wants and skills. And whether you want to be limited by Apple hardware or not (I'm not getting into an argument about the legitimacy or worth of x86)

[John @ Jul 19th 2008 9:00PM]

2.5 hours running Vista? That's pretty damn good. I lost about 50% of my battery life when I switched from XP to Vista

[Ricardo @ Jul 19th 2008 9:31PM]

Sure you did, maybe my EeePC 701 is magical then, because I can use it for 3 hours with Vista, which is about the same as XP.

[John @ Jul 19th 2008 9:41PM]

what, do you want a damn screenshot of my battery life on my Fujitsu T series tablet? I'm lucky to get an hour with the battery mode on Power Saver, screen fully dimmed with wifi on, and you better believe they didn't release a computer with that bad battery life with the default OS (XP tablet edition).

[Lu-Tze @ Jul 19th 2008 10:11PM]

My Fujitsu T4215 gives 3 hrs on the default power saver mode with Vista. It might be worth checking your battery - they do go down quite suddenly.

[quiksilv3r @ Jul 19th 2008 10:16PM]

It's probably your battery...

[John @ Jul 19th 2008 11:27PM]

I'll check my battery then, I guess. I got my tablet about a year ago (stupid VT engineering department policies) so I wasn't really expecting to run into battery trouble this soon...

[BradVT @ Jul 20th 2008 1:08AM]

Hey, I got one for Engineering at tech last year too. My battery lasts about two and a half hours or more on a full charge, but I have noticed this summer since I've left it plugged in a lot the battery seems to drain faster. I've been trying to drain it fully before plugging it back in, and that seems to help some.

[DaClaw @ Jul 21st 2008 5:13AM]

I'm on a Dell latitude D 620. Love the machine, but hate the battery. It's gone from 4 hours to zip in one month, after 1year of use. My IT team tells me thats normal for the latitude D 620. So I'd suspect battery in your case too.

[deyanimay @ Jul 19th 2008 9:50PM]

please put more effort into all your comments not just certain ones.

[deyanimay @ Jul 19th 2008 9:50PM]

Wow your back.

[deyanimay @ Jul 19th 2008 9:52PM]

that was a reply to ocean i swear.

[mike @ Jul 19th 2008 10:19PM]

I wonder if they could have made room for some more STICKERS on that monstrosity.

Also, Vista? M-M-M-MASSIVE FAIL.

[Pochi @ Jul 19th 2008 10:41PM]

Wake up. It's going to be the primary OS on 90% of the machines you buy from major vendors. Bitching about it every time it's mentioned isn't doing anything besides making you look like a tool.

[mike @ Jul 19th 2008 11:20PM]

From my point of view, anyone who USES Vista is a fool.

[deyanimay @ Jul 19th 2008 11:29PM]

From my point of view anyone who uses osx is a tool.

[jimmycrackcorn @ Jul 20th 2008 3:54AM]

from my point of view anyone who uses BeOS is cool

[Twitchy @ Jul 20th 2008 3:59AM]

Just because Windows is the primary OS on 90% of machines, does that make it good? Following your logic, fossil fuelled vehicles are therefore also good. As are conventional weapons (they do outnumber non-conventional weapons such as nukes).

OS choice is often dictated by manufacturer (how many computers on the shelf at Big Blue are anything other than Windows?) or purchasing department (I would've gone with Linux, but the IT dept. makes that call, not me), yet that doesn't mean that the dominant OS platform is perfectly suited to every users' demands.

[Sarig @ Jul 20th 2008 6:58AM]

While there's tons of reasons not to use Vista, if you have a touchscreen, Vista is the desktop OS that supports it the best by a mile.

[SOOPERGOOMAN @ Jul 20th 2008 7:58AM]

From my point of view, you're all nuts! But I WANT one of these...

[laughing_skullx @ Jul 20th 2008 1:28PM]

I don't see why people have a problem with Vista, I've been running it for months, it's only crashed once for me due to a bad driver fault, I've never had a single problem with the OS itself. I find it to be a pretty good OS, and I like using it more than I like using Win2003, and FreeBSD on a daily basis, I think people are letting the "OMG IT'S WINDOWS! LETS FLAME IT!" thing get to their heads...

[Mile @ Jul 19th 2008 10:38PM]

If your not using Vista for handwriting recog, WAYSA?

[bot @ Jul 19th 2008 11:14PM]

Yeah at that weight I wouldn't mind a 9 cell battery. It would still be insanely light. What I'm concerned about is the heat. If a 1.3ghz Atom gets that hot, what is a 1.66ghz Atom like? Is it just because it's in a smaller case that it got so toasty? Maybe less than optimal fan usage or something. I'm hoping the netbooks with the 1.6ghz Atom are cooler.

[deyanimay @ Jul 19th 2008 11:30PM]

sorry to pester you but it kinda bugs me to see so many single word comments and it will most likely earn you low ranks.

[Shadyman @ Jul 20th 2008 12:07AM]

I wonder how much battery-savings a conservative Linux distro would give you vs Vista.

[KidDooc @ Jul 20th 2008 12:18AM]

I have the SX series on order from Conics. With it's 9" screen, and built-in DVD burner, it is just the combination of features and form factor that I've been searching for for years.

Kid

[Schfelzerberg @ Jul 20th 2008 12:33AM]

I wish they styled it a bit tad better. I didn't expect the Japanese to be so economical.

[XenoX101 @ Jul 20th 2008 2:51AM]

I'm impressed, I just hope those tacky stickers are removable.

[Amol @ Jul 20th 2008 5:11AM]

NEVER going to see this Stateside =(

[lee @ Jul 20th 2008 12:49PM]

You may see it from these people eventually:
http://www.vyeusa.com

[TareX @ Jul 20th 2008 7:56AM]

Behold the perfect tablet/umpc/mini-latop/netbook.

And no surprise, it's from Japan.