Ask Engadget: Which MID should I get?
By Darren Murph 
posted Feb 12th 2009 11:07PM
posted Feb 12th 2009 11:07PM
Thanks for tuning in for this week's edition of Ask Engadget -- a place for you, the reader, to have your deepest, darkest gadget-related question shot out to the world. If you'd like to get in on the action, just send an inquiry to ask at engadget dawt com; for now, however, why not give Charlie's question a once over? "I'm looking for a MID. Preferably one that's 5- to 7-inches in form, and ideally one that runs Linux. All I want to use it for is some web surfing, maybe a bit of audio / video, and a little RDP / SSD stuff for work and home. I'm not too picky, just need some solid suggestions."
Well Charles (can we call you Charles?), we're pretty certain our readers can help out here, and if you don't mind us saying so, OQO's Model 2+ was pretty striking at CES.
There is only on MID that I recommend today, and that is the Compal MID which is available in many formats (Gigabyte, Compal, etc.). I would suggest going over to umpcportal.com and checking it out. UMPCPortal is THE BEST site for MID/UMPC knowledge and has a very extensive database, do some research on your own to find the one that is perfect for you. The Compal is a bit on the pricey side but well worth it IMO
Price ?$?$? Come on don't stick it to this guy ,eee 7 inch only $249!!!!
I'm sooo close to getting an OQO 2+ so if you can swing the price, I say get it.
Id go with a Blackberry! (+16gb MicroSDHC)
(pref. the 8900)
A blackberry is not a MID. MIDs are like mini computers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8YNkZ4pfYA
This is the best MID.
whats an MID? and whats SSD?
Mobile Internet Device
Solid State Drive
Get the OQO 2+, I been thinking about getting a MID myself, and no matter what i compare the OQO to, nothing match the style and flexibility of the OQO.
im lovin the n810 with canola and an 8 gig card
the nokia n810 is a good machine all around. don't count on using it to read Office docs, though:
http://www.buzzillions.com/dz_1249389_nokia_n810_handheld_internet_tablet_reviews
Don't get a MID. Get a netbook.
How exactly is a netbook going to fit in your pocket?
Netbooks are alright but they are not a have at all times device like a nokia tablet or intel MID.
The best MID currently out is the Compal/Gigabyte/AIGO MID.
3MP camera, .3MP webcam, GPS, wifi, 3g, 800mhz, 512mb ram, SGX 535 video chip.
How is it going to fit in your pocket, you ask?
well let me introduce you to the
VIAO P!
Another vote for Nokia N810. Can be had pretty cheap now. And in case you need to type alot, it can be easily paired with the BT keyboard, including the oh so lovely apple one. :)
Nokia $450,come on a soon to be discontinued product. No fanboyism please. Eee 7 inch $249. Or touch $229, or 1st gen touch 179$
n810 is currently 222$ at buy.com
Another vote for the Nokia N800/N810.
Pros: It has a fantastic high res screen so you don't need to zoom in and out for most web pages, the browser supports flash, and the internet radio, podcatchers and multi-CODEC players are great for consumption of internet based media. It is also the right size, runs on Linux (Maemo which is Debian based), runs Skype and Pidgin, and it is possible to install Android on.
Cons: The first is that the browser can be a little slow, but much of this is remedied by turning off javascript. Also, certain web-based media e.g. BBC iPlayer just don't work. Finally, there is no WWAN, except the WiMAX edition of the N810, as the device is designed to connect via your mobile phone.
A new version of Maemo is out soon, and that means a new Nokia internet tablet is due out too.
For more information check out: http://www.internettablettalk.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8YNkZ4pfYA
Compal MID is the best x86 mid currently out hands down.
I can't believe I went through the first page of comments on this and didn't see the obvious choice.
The iPod Touch
U 100% correct , bro.
Of course anyone mentioning the ipod touch or iphone would be ranked down, but it's actually a decent option. The guy says he needs to do internet, a little bit of audio/video and ssd storage? well flash is pretty much the same thing. The screen is really nice, it's pocket friendly. and 32gb is a good amount of storage. They are also cheaper. I personally think the traditional umpc/mid is the stupidest format ever: the power of a netbook! for 3 times as much! and it will barely fit in your pocket! and you look like a doofus!
Well for a start, the iPod Touch can only get on WiFi so is useless out of the house/hot spots, hence needing an iPhone which would work out more expensive and second, even if that wasn't a problem you have his requirements of a 5-7 inch screen. So it's hardly surprisingly that it hasn't been mentioned and the suggestion is low ranked.
I thought I wanted an MID like the poster described, for most of the same reasons. I bought an iPod Touch to play videos while I was traveling and found out it was surprisingly good at browsing the web despite the small screen. I had no idea it would fill the "web browsing from the couch" role I wanted and MID for, but it does 90% of the time (flash video is out of course, and that's the biggest drawback). Games are just a fun little plus.
The most likely device to meet Charles' needs is the Nokia internet tablet. Linux, light web browsing, and inexpensive.
But if you got the bucks and can wait a couple months, there's nothing that tops the OQO 2+
Just got the N810 yesterday for 250 off eBay (less using coupon). Add the 8g microsdhc and minisd adapter for $30 more. So far, I'm a big fan. Never used linux before and there's not really a learning curve at all. My guess is if you are smart enough to consider something besides the Touch, then you'll be able to work the N810.
I have some experience with MIDs I can share.
First, about Linux devices. What you need on MID is a good Linux OS. Avoid proprietary OSes, since they usually have compatibility issues, ridiculous APIs, crappy software selection.
Example is Sharp Zaurus sl-c1000 that has the best MID hardware I've ever seen for the price and form factor (and I have one). Essentialy, it is a pocket size laptop/netbook. The problem was the proprietary linux flavor which, despite several enthusiasts trying to upgrade it and develop for it, still had huge compatibility issues and multitude of bugs. Avoid those OSes unless you want to recompile every app to run on your device.
Also, avoid Qtopia in general. Though it is a very common GUI for Linux handhelds and Skype phones, it is slow and very buggy. I never had a good experience with it. I haven't tried latest versions though.
I would say: for Linux, get Nokia N810 (or newer model). It has a big user base, lots of apps, it is sold everywhere, has support, etc. Less chances for it to be abandoned by manufacturer/development community (and therefore less chance that new version of Opera, etc. will be incompatible with your old OS).
If you wanted just the internet device with occasional RDP and can live without Linux, I would recommend iPod Touch (I own one). You will have a limited hardware functionality (no SD cards, no microphone, no extensions, etc.), but it is great for Internet, music/video and software like RDP.
Windows devices (UMPC) are pretty expensive and I down own one. I go with Acer Aspire One with Win XP.
Just my 2 cents
Recent report showed that more people access full html browsing on iphone than on any other device here in the usa,320 million people could not be wrong.Of course more people access full html on computers than cell phones. So iphone provides more people with true html(the real internet) than blackberry,storm,instinct,g1 etc put together. Insane. I know youll make right decision. not to mention everyone would agree that iphone comes with the best widescreen video ipod in the history of all times,.ok i have spoken n silenced all.iphone=$199.,archos,nokia,sony tablets etc.,$375-$560.,
oh, so the real internet doesn't include flash/most picture files/constant crashing, 4 times per hour/ copy&paste/ find anymore?
The iphone browsing sucks. it's flashy, but that's about it. And this is coming from an iphone user. also, the iphone screen is 3.5 inches, not 7.
BTW, compal is a subsidy of HP. Of course, because HP doesn't say that they're from the US and doesn't have a fruit for a logo, that means that they're unreliable and shady, right?
iPhone is $199 + 24*$30 = $919
Nokia N810 is going for ~ $220 right now.
Quit spreading useless false information. Apple has a bad rep amongst people that actually understand whats going on the industry precisely because of idiotic self-proclaimed know-it-all's like you. Go back to the Stupid Bar where you came from.
Wow,so shyam d is saying that nokia has a better browser than safari on iphone.,????Is this guy insane.??lets see,multitouch screen,accelorometer,mass sensor,ambient light sensor,etc.I've blown away nokia tablets on head to head browsing challenges. You're not gonna tell me nokia is better than iphone/touch.Stop kidding yourself bro,accept the truth. At one point u will have to drop your hate.
The n810 has an ambient light sensor. And a camera. And flash support for browsing.
Obligatory misplaced punctuation follows,. just so I fit in. ???
Wow,so shyam d is saying that nokia has a better browser than safari on iphone.,????Is this guy insane.??lets see,multitouch screen,accelorometer,mass sensor,ambient light sensor,etc.I've blown away nokia tablets on head to head browsing challenges. You're not gonna tell me nokia is better than iphone/touch.Stop kidding yourself bro,accept the truth. At one point u will have to drop your hate.
God, you're annoying, Philosopher. The only reason everyone's gone quiet is because they've already walked off.
N810
compal.,what country do they sell that.,?seriously who would trust this?does compal have compoal stores.,??sorry but dont give this guy some f'd up advice,hes not an enemy or fanboy.
Compal is an ODM that makes a lot of the laptops that are branded by other companies such as Dell, Alienware, etc. You might have a Compal laptop and not even know it. And try to post in coherent sentences please, it helps you not look like an ass.
Do research before you speak, the Compal MID is one of the best MID's out on the market. Just because you don't recognize the name doesn't mean it's bad - you might recognize Gigabyte more - there's a Gigabyte version of the MID - same hardware, different software
The Compal MID is sold in Europe and other countries on the eastern hemisphere but can be bought on some online stores and imported over if need be
Suggestion to Engadget:
Do some work, and compile the good responses... maybe an update/edit post?
If web surfing and audio/video playback is all you need you might now need a full blown MID, the Archos 5, and 7 should work.
Browsing on my older 605 is a bit slow, but they claim the new 5 and 7 render at laptop speed.
If web surfing and audio/video playback is all you need, you might *NOT* need a full blown MID,
/fixed, sorry
I was going to suggest the Archos 5 or the Archos 7... Both were reviewed favourably on engadget.. Surprised not many have mentioned it... its got an awesome screen and its quite fast as well...
The Pandora ( http://openpandora.org ) is going to give you the best bang for your buck, longest battery life, and is smaller than all but the Nokia tablets. Proper gaming controls are an added benefit.
If the Pandora was out, I would probably agree.
Unfortunately it is not yet available, so I'm going to have to say the N810 is a better choice.
If Nokia releases their next gen Tablet before it comes out, I think, because of the form factor, it will likely be better.
Another vote for the N810. Totally versatile and completely expandable both with memory and with the ability to take out the battery and pop in another one giving 7 hours of use and 10 days of always on standby. Pop the Nokia into one of those protector cases you find on ebay and you've got a great mini computer with a keyboard on the go in your pocket.
Used an N810 for a week last month then sent it back. Love the form factor but the browsing experience was sloooooow. Truly pocketable if web is most important go for the iPhone or Touch. For a full os the Aigo or OQO. Sure the iPhone and Touch lack flash and bluetooth, but the range of apps and browsing experience is superb for anyone who isn't a hater.
The N810 sounds like a great deal specially with that awesome price tag.
If only I could put a stripped down version of XP on it so I can use some small windows only programs :/
Is there something similar with XP?
@dan
Who am I to argue about your experience with the n810, but after the latest diablo build, turning off fit to width and turning off flash, the browser is pretty fast for portable use. I timed engadget at 13 seconds to load everything and there isn't any OS lag. Granted, you aren't going to get laptop speeds out of it, but any limitation is due to the way it conserves battery life. The next gen N810 should solve any performance issues, but until then I'll enjoy open source games like quake, run my slingbox player called hava on it, use it for gps in the u.s and europe, read books on it, write MS word documents using abiword, play divx movies straight from the web and use usb control to interface with a 64gb flash memory drive full of movies. It does everything an ipod touch can do and more and when it was at buy.com for $210.00 it was a bargain. Bluetooth lets you expand your options and the built in keyboard has a good turn of speed when you get used to it or you can still use the virtual one. I see no reason to go elsewhere until Nokia hopefully brings out the N900, but hey everyone has there thing. I just don't like being locked into iphone type contracts.
Like everything you just needed to tweak it to improve performance and if you didn't upgrade to the latest build I can see how you'd think it was sluggish.
In trying to make the fewest compromises as possible in such a device I have settled on a Fujitsu U820 as the device I'm gonna get myself very soon - I've been looking for ages and everything else out there requires more compromise. It isn't marketed as a MID but fits the requirements above pretty well. At $950-$1250 depending on the spec it's cheaper than the OQO and not much more than the Gigabyte yet fully featured - touch screen, high-res very bright 5.6 display (within the 5-7 requirements, unlike the N810 with a 4.1 screen), comparatively fast 1.6 Atom, usable keyboard, plenty of ways of using it (tablet mode, laptop mode, ebook mode), every radio you could want (ABGN WiFi, optional WWAN, GPS, BT), 60/120G hard disk, card slots .... It runs Windows Vista or XP, I'm not sure Linux compatibility, Fujitsu isn't the best I hear but it usually gets better over time. Only downsides I see is that it's only got 1 Gig of memory, the wasted space around the screen and not as sleek an appearance as other devices, which can partially be remedied by using a slim battery that gets it down to jacket pocket size.
NONE
Get a netbook.
I am a bit worried about the low perfromance of ATOM processors in MIDs. Today i am still working with a Sony UX1XN with 1.3 Ghz Core Solo processor for my computer vision work (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbIioo09Ou4). Unfortunately it had been discontinued. Even the latest ATOMs in Netbooks get only half the performance of the Core Solo.
Do you have suggestions for a high performance MID / UMPC comparable with the Sony UX?
@LTM-
Thanks for a good, thoughtful, informative response.
Nice to see that that can happen instead of the name-calling that is so common.
Wish I had the N810 here to test out your suggestions.