Compal tries harder with Intel-based KAX15 MID

We're not so sure that being the "world's smallest Windows-based MID" is really a benefit for those who appreciate keys that are large enough to mash and screens that are large enough to see, but whatever the case, Compal seems pretty proud of its accomplishments here. Shown off along with scores of other me-too MIDs at Computex, the KAX15 is based around Intel's existing Menlow platform and sports the polarizing tilt-and-slide mechanism for unmasking the QWERTY keyboard. As for specs, we're told that it packs an 800 x 480 display and an 800MHz processor, but further details have yet to flow. There's a hands-on vid just past the break if you're somehow intrigued with shoving Windows in your left cargo pocket.

[Erb @ Jun 11th 2009 8:59AM]

Isn't that android in the first render?
(Look at the white bar)

[Yevon @ Jun 11th 2009 9:09AM]

That was my first thought too. Yeah, it definitely is.

[AndrewNoNumbers @ Jun 11th 2009 9:35AM]

Windows is just too ugly to put in a press shot.

[TT @ Jun 11th 2009 11:57AM]

Yes, definitely, look at the middle screen, it shows the Android standard desktop, icons and clock.
And whatever that UI is, I want it! xD
But it's probably just a mockup screen for the press shots.

[Ryan Trevisol @ Jun 11th 2009 9:47AM]

Which windows are we talking about here? XP? 7? Anyhow, when you get down to that size, any windows flavor starts to become harder to use than it is useful. With these kind of devices I don't see Windows (or Linux, or any other Desktop OS) to be a plus but rather a minus. Android with a touch-optimized Firefox . . . that I could see.

[Daniel @ Jun 11th 2009 10:11AM]

Then again it looks like you use a senior picture for your avatar, so I have to take your opinion with a grain of salt.

[Ryan Trevisol @ Jun 11th 2009 10:52AM]

You'd prefer I used, what, a close-up of my eyeball?
My favorite cartoon character?
A video game character from the 80s/90s?
A random object?

You were obviously so moved by either my comments or my picture (FWIW, it wasn't a senior picture) that you decided to go all straw-man on my ass. I've changed my avatar back to the default, so you can go back to taking issue with what I said.

Which at least was on topic.

[Icester @ Jun 11th 2009 10:20AM]

I like the idea of a MID only as a retro game playing device (emulators and DosBox), but only if it has a touchscreen. Secondary usage are the few times that you might have to do a business presentation (PowerPoint etc.) and the emergency document/web browsing while on the road.
Heck, I guess really, I just want a Pandora/GP2X with some basic non-game usage. Maybe someone will create these apps for Pandora/GP2X and wish will be granted!

[jhon @ Jun 11th 2009 10:36AM]

well.... this MID looks like a cross between nokia N97 and Blacbery storm 9500 or HTC touch HD.....

[tikiwk @ Jun 20th 2009 3:11PM]

Are you crazy? This definitely looks like the Dell all in one Studio. WHy? I think both look hideous.

http://www.dell.com/content/products/superview.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&pageoverride=media_view1&s=dhs&xdb=Z2xvYmFsOnByb2R1Y3RzOmRlc2t0b3Bfc3R1ZGlvOmZsYXNoOmRlc2t0b3Atc3R1ZGlvLW9uZS0xOSNyZWdpb24=

[tikiwk @ Jun 12th 2009 6:24AM]

It definitely looks like a Dell all in one Studio.

http://www.dell.com/content/products/superview.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&pageoverride=media_view1&s=dhs&xdb=Z2xvYmFsOnByb2R1Y3RzOmRlc2t0b3Bfc3R1ZGlvOmZsYXNoOmRlc2t0b3Atc3R1ZGlvLW9uZS0xOSNyZWdpb24=

[Rudy @ Jun 11th 2009 10:36AM]

I am sorry but I am savings my pennies for the Viliv x70 mid that is one very sweet machine and I am hopeing it will be under my xmas tree. I promise santa to be a very very good person....

[Mark @ Jun 11th 2009 10:53AM]

Does it come with a cloth for wiping nose grease off the screen?

[hated @ Jun 11th 2009 11:15AM]

wow and to think iPod touch /iPhone still have better ui browser n 50000 apps more compared to this. I believe iPhone also revolutionized mids n navigation devices.

[jon @ Jun 11th 2009 11:24AM]

Sure this thing looks and probably runs like crap, but this post has about as much to do with the iPhone as you have a chance at succeeding in life. Go troll somewhere else.

[jon @ Jun 11th 2009 11:20AM]

With a name like KAX and an 800MHz proc they're not trying harder enough.

[LMM @ Jun 11th 2009 11:25AM]

Woah, dark mock-up render screen is DARK. Seriously, at first glance I thought "Screw that, that screen's brightness is pathetic," until I saw the video. Dangerous advertising, using a darker render than the final product.

Also, in after iphone-fanboys/girls/assholes/obsessants/JUST SHUT THE F*** UP AND GO PLAY WITH YOUR STUPID TOY PHONE ALREADY!!!

[rederikus @ Jun 11th 2009 11:38AM]

Maybe they'll stick a SIM card in it and give us a phoneapp too. Then with a mic 'n a speker or even bluetooth, it's a phone too.

It's just a matter of time before this happens.

[FragShack @ Jun 11th 2009 11:44AM]

Sooo,

Engadget, Page 1, complaining about small MIDs.

Engadget, Page 10, complaining that the problem with MIDs is that they don't fit in your pocket.( http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/mid-device-sales-far-lower-than-estimates-only-intel-surprised/ )

I know it's hard to come up with decent fluff sometimes when covering this random news krap, that was likely discovered in your e-mail inbox to begin with, but come on.

[Dude @ Jun 11th 2009 2:45PM]

Cool design. Too bad no one cares about MIDs. Put a phone on that and I'd buy it.

[willdao @ Jun 11th 2009 2:56PM]

Look, Darren, we GET it. You, personally, don't care for this form factor/type of gadget. Many of us do. So why are you reporting on them? Let someone else report. Total snideness on every MID/small UMPC post just turns fans of this technology off from reading about it on engadget. Get out of the way, man!

[willdao @ Jun 11th 2009 3:00PM]

At risk of stating the obvious: that KB is considerably larger than ones found on "smart"phones; and if that glorious 800 X 480 screen were on a phone, or PMP/"mp4" player, you'd be drooling. So, it runs Windows--rather a bonus, I'd say, eh?