BenQ's 3G-enabled, Atom-powered MID Aries2 (S6) boots up in Italy

Is it really time to shine, BenQ, or are you just foolin' again? Judging by a product page at Italy's TIM website and a fresh report from the Italian branch of Tom's Hardware, the S6 (or MID Aries2, or BenQ MID... gosh, we're so confused!) is finally ready to order. The Atom-based MID impresses with built-in 3G capabilities, 512MB of RAM, a 2GB SSD, 4.8-inch 800 x 480 resolution display, WiFi / Bluetooth 2.0 and -- just to really pound the message home / incite jealously -- 7.2Mbps HSDPA. The current asking price sits at €429 ($626), and while the value proposition may be debatable, the amount of possibilities packed into a frame this small (6.2- x 3.5- x 0.86-inches) definitely isn't. Let's get these out to other nooks and crannies of the wide world, eh BenQ?

[Via UMPC Portal]

[joshladella005 @ Sep 26th 2008 10:12AM]

its a computer...its a phone...its a...

what the heck is it?

[Dubb @ Sep 26th 2008 11:22AM]

Mobile Internet Device

[Malikye @ Sep 26th 2008 11:58AM]

it says the price is with a contract. i'm guessing it's a phone. that does sound like a nice phone too, but if i wanted to buy it unlocked, i'm thinking it will cost more than 1,000 USD

[Rogue_Genius @ Sep 26th 2008 12:51PM]

It is a possible test bed for all sorts of geekery. Let the modding begin :D Giggity!

[abigsmurf @ Sep 26th 2008 10:16AM]

That's actually pretty good value. It's almost half what 3G equipped web browers cost. Especially as it's using the more expensive more power efficient Atom

[Flashpoint @ Sep 26th 2008 10:16AM]

Someone please explain the benefit of this over an 8G iPhone 3G please?

[smib @ Sep 26th 2008 10:39AM]

Cut and paste.

[TareX @ Sep 26th 2008 10:34AM]

Screen resolution.
Office
Full desktop flash on browser.


umm.... on a second thought iPhone is a better as a single package device.

[Coleman Foley @ Sep 26th 2008 10:41AM]

bigger screen (4.8" vs 3.5") higher resolution (800x480 vs 480x320). you can probably put any app on it (as few as there may be), and run it on any hsdpa network. but this thing has no market, you're right. it is too big. it probably can't fit in your pocket. also, with the wide bezels on the side, it would be hard to reach the middle of the screen to touch it. no multitouch, either.

[Guilty @ Sep 26th 2008 11:10AM]

Having a device that doesn't suck sh** when it comes to anything and everything - something you will actually be able do stuff on (as in running programs that you should be able to run, that you can't on the iMoan).

[Mike @ Sep 26th 2008 12:07PM]

@smib

uhh....iphone got Cut and Paste today bro...

and FYI Engadget....a 2GB SSD just means it has a 2gig flash drive soldered into the board....nothing special at all.

[TareX @ Sep 26th 2008 10:27AM]

May the "PUT ANDROID ON IT" posts begin...... NOW.

[Guilty @ Sep 26th 2008 11:14AM]

By the way, Android is for ARM, and the Atom is X86, so it's not possible. except maybe in an emulator.

[jack @ Sep 26th 2008 10:43AM]

well, it's sexy. BT is nice - can add a keyboard. Are we sure it runs office? what kind of browser does it use - or can you install FF? is this a PMP? can we get a review up in here?

[vance @ Sep 26th 2008 10:44AM]

Anyone know if these things have USB host? I Just want to plug in a usb keyboard. (I have a certain one in mind... it isn't Bluetooth.)

[Gianluca @ Sep 26th 2008 11:59AM]

Prices in Italy, when advertised to an end customer, have to be displaid including the 20% value added tax.
Take this into account when evaluating a price, and consider different buying power in Europe: 429€ does not sound that bad, just like yours 429$ I'd dare to say...

So I guess a likely US price would be something in the 499$ line, in the worst case scenario, I bet less.

[Curtis @ Sep 26th 2008 4:00PM]

What benefit is there????!!!! One you can put Ubuntu Mobile on it likely. Hell it has the specs to run a desktop version of linux. Plus you can use Skype or Gizmo to make insanely cheap phone calls. Obviously its a litter bigger than most people can handle but it'd great if you carried a purse (presumably just women) or a briefcase or notebook bag.

[zmjjmz @ Sep 26th 2008 3:51PM]

Yay Linux.
Just let me install whatever I want, preferably X and IceWM or similar awesomesauce.

[Carlo @ Sep 26th 2008 4:02PM]

This device is not an iphone, is not a PC, it's a mobile internet device.
By far the best pockettable device to surf the internet.
I've seen one into the TIM shops and surfing is impressive, nothing on the market is comparable.
Nice to know is that with 0€ for device and 30€ x month you get device and 100hrs connection x month.
just to explain, HSDPA means 7.2MBPS....... with >80% of population coverage...
not bad, really

[bryan @ Sep 26th 2008 8:00PM]

Finally, someone using the Atom for a device it was actually meant for... I hope that no one out there is actually foolish to try buying a netbook using a processor that is meant to run a MID.

[*brotha @ Sep 26th 2008 11:17PM]

i must say that is really a rather pointless device

the lenovo Ideapad U8 looks much better

it has gps, more HDD space and.. more speed

this is just useless, no keyboard internet device with no gps

cmon

[Charbax @ Sep 28th 2008 5:38PM]

The price is actually 790 euros ($1147) cause you have to sign a 30€ per month HSDPA data contract.

[Carlo @ Sep 29th 2008 4:51AM]

The pricing is twofold.

Option 1: 429€ is Device only and 10Hrs, one shot trial.
Option 2: Device 0€ with a monthly fee of 30€ (for 24 months) with 100Hrs x month.

Ciao
Carlo