Nanovision's MIMO UM-710 mini display gets tested, proves addictive

While we were led to believe that Nanovision's MIMO line of diminutive LCDs would be stuck in South Korea for the foreseeable future, it appears that a trio of 'em are now shipping to North America. While not christened with any SideShow labeling, this 7-inch UM-710 mini monitor was designed to operate alongside your laptop and / or desktop monitor in order to give you more space for those little-but-necessary applications. Critics at Technabob were quite fond of the 800 x 480 display, noting that it was perfectly clear, incredibly useful and darn near impossible to live without after a solid hour of usage. Setup was relatively painless with Windows Vista, and OS X drivers (for Intel-based Macs, that is) were said to be bundled in as well. Sure, we'd prefer the $129.99 price tag to be a little lower, but if you can't stand to lug around a low-end 17-incher, this might not be a bad travel companion.

[phill @ Dec 2nd 2008 8:11AM]

Unfortunately it's hard to see why this is a better option than a cheap 19" LCD. If this was the touchscreen featured version, it'd definitely appeal more to me as an input extension rather than a screenspace extension. Working in photoshop and being able to touch to change layers/undo history/etc would be awesome.

[Labrador @ Dec 2nd 2008 8:22AM]

...not to mention it would be awesome for the development of your shoulder muscles

[Electromodo @ Dec 2nd 2008 10:29AM]

One of those mentioned 3 models has touchscreen and web cam, otherwise they all are the same.

I ordered one because I do not have a space on my desk for another 19" monitor. Plus this screen is very comfortable for Sony Vegas Studio, as you can put the movie preview on it, it is a perfect size for this task.

[johnny @ Dec 2nd 2008 8:11AM]

I don't know what I'd do with it really, but...I want it.

[AgonS @ Dec 2nd 2008 8:45AM]

I'd downvote your post for ad-whoring, but I actually liked the site. Very nicely done and I can see myself going back. Bookmarked *thumbs up* :)

[David @ Dec 2nd 2008 8:11AM]

This would be a good monitor for my closet server which sometimes doesn't boot up properly. Actually what I'd really need is a tiny (4"?), low-tech monochrome screen since the server is running Linux without a graphical interface.

[Max @ Dec 2nd 2008 8:14AM]

I wanted one of these for some weird reason since I saw the first post. I'm happy to hear they're coming here tho, being the holiday season I might have to pick on up. Seems like it'll make a nice companion for my MacBook Pro.

But it'd be even better if it was a touch screen.

[booticon @ Dec 2nd 2008 8:42AM]

FYI, the $199 version has a touchscreen. :)

[Thi mam(kris120890) @ Dec 2nd 2008 8:17AM]

Seems a bit pointless to me in all honesty.

[ZaxCG2 @ Dec 2nd 2008 11:52AM]

If you've ever worked with 2 screens you'll see the point man... Especially if you're an avid Photoshopper/Video Editor/etc.
I had a crap old CRT monitor alongside my 19" LCD for a while and now that it's gone, I sure do miss it.

Granted though, with the price on this thing... I would just save up for a larger screen.

[My_friend @ Dec 2nd 2008 8:21AM]

Indeed.

[ChillyCat @ Dec 2nd 2008 8:42AM]

List [5] FIVE things one could actually use this for on a DAILY BASIS ?

.................I'm still working on #1

[ZaxCG2 @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:30PM]

1. Adobe Creative Suite applications: Use it for extra windows, tools, etc.
2. AIM/Google/MSN Chat while using other full screen app.
3. Have your media player up 24/7 to keep a monitor on your music.
4. If you have a work computer like me, keep your timeclock app up so you can hit that clock-out button and get out quick
5. Have Outlook/Mail app up 24/7

[joe @ Dec 2nd 2008 8:50AM]

For the touch screen model..

1. Music controller
2. Widgets for weather, todo's, stock ticker, etc
3. System performance monitor
4. Auction sniping tool monitor
5. Netflix "watch instantly" off your primary display

It is sort of a toy, but still pretty cool. I am guessing it will sell well for the hackers and modders out there. We'll see them installed in the fronts of cases in no time at all...

[Steve @ Dec 2nd 2008 9:11AM]

I think it might not be most amazing for day to day, but i can see this being awesome for corp use. when designs need something like this or coders etc.

Alot people dont see the use of two monitors but once you been on them for a bit you cant help but want it. (im still considering if i need a thrid)

[Macdelaney @ Dec 2nd 2008 10:09AM]

I have dual 24-inchers, and I want this. Why? Because they are pretty and I like displays :3

[Ian @ Dec 2nd 2008 8:50AM]

Our one significant complaint was going to be about the model line-up. In Korea, three versions of the MIMO displays are on offer: the same UM-710 and UM-730 that you see here, along with the UM-750 which includes a touchscreen and DMB Digital TV tuner. Since the tuner wouldn’t work with non-Korean bands, the 750 was axed from the European and US line-up. So, our grumble was to be the absence of a touchscreen version.

However, since the MIMO displays arrived, Nanovision have apparently agreed to slot a new model, the UM-740, into the European and US line-up, which drops the DMB but keeps the touchscreen. We can see this being the most popular model, especially given the modification potential: it would be a very easy way to add a control interface to a car PC, for instance.

[neeko @ Dec 2nd 2008 9:09AM]

This would be perfect attached to my mac mini thats hooked up to my DLP. instead of turning on the TV i could just use this saving TV usage for when i just wanna play music and not watch movies. And if it was touchscreen then im def all in.

Price isnt too bad considering the space it takes up.

[elloh7 @ Dec 2nd 2008 9:09AM]

No love for us with older PPC macs?

/is a saaaaaaaaad panda..

older maccles get no lovin anymore. :(

[Nick @ Dec 2nd 2008 10:40AM]

Others have said it, but this would be really cool as a sort of remote for my HTPC, now if I can just make it wireless...

[Dez @ Dec 2nd 2008 2:01PM]

Funny that you should mention this! I started a topic on AVSforum.com about the same thing, check it out! I've gotten a couple interesting suggestions about what to do here.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1090637

I think you may be trying to do the same thing I am, and I think a better description is a "second touchscreen monitor"

[dark star @ Dec 2nd 2008 10:52AM]

has any digital photo frames been hacked to be used as a secondary display???
im seeing a lot of good deals on buy.com. you can get a 7inch frame for just 40 bux from Philips!

[pete @ Dec 2nd 2008 11:44AM]

I believe there's a Samsung photo frame that does this...

[Dez @ Dec 2nd 2008 2:02PM]

@pete

If there's a samsung photoframe that does this, I would love to know about it.

[jsh4ft @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:35PM]

It's fun to read comments! If you have questions you can email us at [e-mail]

Thanks Engadget :)

[Christian @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:35PM]

I think this is perfect for my work when I have to use photoshop and I want fullscreen as my work area and have the tabs just like the picture is showing for controls on layers, history, action, brush, etc.

It's also good to have the chat window there so you can focus more on your work and easily hide a 7 inch screen on the side when your boss is walking by compare to another 19"...

[Hackettman @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:36PM]

Touch screen = Sure buy

Im setting up a 15 inch touch screen with some hardcore casing.... Wouldve made it easier to mount if it was a 7 inch with a plastic bezel......

[dfivetwo @ Dec 2nd 2008 1:26PM]

Please, please, please bring this to europe! Ever since these were first announced, i've been very interested in them, especially the touschscreen version. Seems like a great way to increase productivity and screen real estate, without taking up too much desk space.

[Defiler @ Dec 2nd 2008 2:35PM]

For that price I'd just buy a 19" wide screen.

[Nick @ Dec 2nd 2008 4:24PM]

Well for some, acquiring 2nd screen requires a new graphics card or if, like me,m your running three graphics cards on SLI, you cant use double display while using the SLI functionality. This is great because is it usb!

[Davis @ Dec 2nd 2008 2:39PM]

This may work well in a Car PC... Hmm...

[Rahabib @ Dec 2nd 2008 4:09PM]

now if the 740(touchscreen) version was $129 and the 710 (regular) version was say, $79, it would be worth it. Maybe in a six months.

[phail @ Dec 2nd 2008 8:48PM]

oh man if it was usb powered too i would snap that up SO FAST

[phail @ Dec 2nd 2008 8:50PM]

oh it is. so i bought one.

[neeko @ Dec 3rd 2008 12:52PM]

the MIMO UM-750 has touchscreen. I would buy that for media control from couch for music and simple tasks when i dont need my TV on.

[Justin @ Jan 2nd 2009 8:05PM]

where can i buy this?

[Alicia Hom @ Jan 27th 2009 5:27PM]

I heard that these monitors are going to be available at www.mimomonitors.com, with free shipping, in a week or so - can't wait!

[Andy @ Jan 27th 2009 5:35PM]

I just checked that site - mimomonitors.com is already accepting preorders. you can pay via paypal or google...and yeah, it's free shipping!

[magazines @ Feb 9th 2009 2:54PM]

I just purchased one. The touchscreen model was backordered so i'll see how the 710 model does and if I like it I'll buy the 740 model(touchscreen version) later.

[Rob @ Feb 18th 2009 1:02AM]

I bought a um-710 and am returning it... I thought it would be cool, but honestly it is too small, you are better off getting a bigger monitor if you need one... there really is no point to it unless you need it for a umpc or something