Apple might have surprised everyone --
including us -- by naming its tablet the "
iPad," but the UK's X2 isn't letting this opportunity pass it by: it's managed to drum up some cheap attention today by announcing an "iTablet" powered by a "1.6GHz Intel processor" and running whatever flavor of Windows from XP to 7 your heart desires. Of course, what X2 isn't telling anyone is that it's actually not doing anything more than simply reselling the
Amtek iTablet, a product that's been out for ages and that
we've covered in the past -- you might recognize
this early post by one Mr. Joshua Topolsky in which he said the resistive touchscreen looked "quite frisky." How dramatically things change. Anyway, we don't have a detailed spec list right now, but the Amtek iTablet has a 1.6GHz Pentium M, not an Atom, so this thing could potentially be a serious dog. Feel like making with the goods, X2?
Update: X2 tells
Register Hardware that its iTablet will
go on sale in April in both 10 and 12-inch sizes, but declined to say what kind of Intel chip is powering this thing. If we had to guess, we'd say they're using the name and pictures of the older Amtek device to cash in on iPad hype right now while they get their actual product in order -- and hey, it seems to be working. We'll let you know if we see the real deal anytime soon.
posted February 5th 2010 2:36PM
Oh look, Flash =)
@Deceptor
no deception over here.
@Deceptor Also, I'm pretty sure it'll be fairly fast with a Pentium M; those were the basis for the Core microarchitecture and are not low voltage chips (i.e. the Atom line). However, I'd guess that this would give it worse battery life.
@Deceptor
Also buttons, tabs, and a start menu which are smaller (about half as small) than the man's fingers.
Now this post isn't meant to flame, but this picture alone shows why stock Windows (and the million+ apps for them) are not good enough for the Slate form factor.
Now, if they decided to work on windows mobile 7 or even better the zune software (hey! it runs apps too) and bring them to the slate market, that would rock. Or if a company rises to the plate and redesigns stock windows (like how HTC is doing it's best to hide windows mobile), that would be nice too. Of course the problem with that option will be the apps which aren't redesigned for a touch based experience. So still a big problem.
In other words, Microsoft, please start working on the Zune (or winmo 7), giving it more capabilities and throw it on a Slate. Build up, not down, and you may find some actual success in this market YOU created.
@Deceptor
Hey, if this thing can be sold for $400-500 for the lowest end model, and runs Flash, I'm sold. Seriously. Something we can actually use the web on.
@Deceptor
I know! It's as exciting as the launch of the iPad!
Which is to say 'not very'.
@CDice
Certainly XP would be horrible on this kind of device. Windows 7, however, has a touch mode that makes things slightly larger and more spaced out so that you don't accidentally mis-click, as it were.
This has the potential to be a good product!
@Deceptor
Yeah, but it's in IE6...totally not worth it.
@CDice Read the article, it also takes Windows 7,
That means it'd have an actual touch-optimized operating system, with actual computer components, making it an actual computer and not just a cellphone sans calling features and an oversized screen.
The X2 is supposed to get new hardware, which means it could be running a Core2 ULV U7300 or Atom330/ION combination which, if priced right, would be nothing less than bad ass. =)
@Deceptor There are many reasons why apple doesn't want to have their iDevices, geting a flash.. Some reasons which won't be disclosed fully to the public. http://bit.ly/apple-ipad-advantages
But, yes I concur, that somehow flash should be embrace by apple.. If this iTablet will go under sub-500, with some flash lovin' definitely i'm going to get this one.
iTablet, the name another company could have almost had.
Jeeze, you guys really are biased aren't you...just because it's not wearing an apple logo it get's immediately slagged off right?
If it's got an HDMI output then I presume it can run HD video. Ok so it may not live up to the hype, but why so immediately negative? At least sit on the fence for a while!
@Rod Sit on the fence a while? If you'd followed the links you'd have realized Engadget first hands on with this thing was TWO YEARS ago. Nilay was being generous with his "out for ages" comment. Believe it or not, a few things happen in the tech world in the span of two years, especially in this particular device's market.
@Rod
well the last one cost like $2500 or something . . . so that needs to be factored into things here. I'm sure this time around it'll be a little cheaper, but history doesn't bode well for it. and they DID say it could be a serious dog. serious dogs need to be taken seriously.
@infoclipper
What, and this device is the same as the device from 2 years ago?
@Rod
Why not?
If the their is an uptick in demand for tablets (which I dont believe), and you already have a device, with a golden name, then by all means offer it and see if it takes this time.
@bolezhinkov
Very true. $2500 a few years ago is most likely like 400 today. If they price this right, it could work out very well for them!
Resistive touchscreen.......LOL.
@quake35
Resistive touchscreens have been improving and can even support mutli-touch. Using them over capacitive helps brind down the price and since these being aimed to replace netbooks it isn't such a bad idea.
@Bengal34
Typo: "helps *bring* down the cost"
I take it you didn't read the article then?
"The formula couldn't be more simple: the choice of a 10.2in or 12.1in widescreen capacitive display"
@Rod I read the article but I couldn't find a primary source beyond that to verify the information. I'll update it if and when X2 gets in touch with us -- I've reached out.
@Nilay Patel
Cool, thanks for the reply Nilay. This thing has to be a hell of a lot better than that earlier dog from yesteryear. An Intel 1.6 Pentium M can't push HD content so it must have something different under the hood? It does seem odd that they decide to preview it running XP though and not 7.
@Rod I don't think that is the X2, its a picture of the old model, hence running XP tablet edition.
Back in late 2007, early 2008, there was no Windows 7 to choose from.
how much is this? im in if its against Apple xD
@AdvancedN0ob What does this have to do with Apple? Stop trolling.
@sonola777 "iTablet"
Hm. The hands-on article (and your source) says the T221 has "highly responsive and accurate capacitive touch capability" while the earlier article says the resistive touchscreen is "frisky" (what does that mean btw? just asking).
Did the screen tech change?
@DirtyVegas
http://www.amtek.com.tw/english/T220221spec.htm
The T221 Model has "Resistive touch screen w/o Palm rejection" and the T226 Model has "Write & Touch" - capacitive maybe? Which one is X2?
@DirtyVegas
frisky is good!
But does it provide the most magical web browsing experience known to man?
@Edobe
You betcha.
"potentially a serious dog" ... lolz Im using a 1.1Ghz Pentium M TC1100 as a htpc(media playback only) running winvista(7 media center is buggy on the TC1100) and dual booting to win7 as a productivity device. Works nice :) In such a device, battery life is the performance 'dog', not the processor. Also, it can run more than one task at once.... As long as amtek dont tout it as a reader, it'll have its little corner in the market alongside the motion tablets etc.
I bet it multi-tasks too
Thanks, but no thanks.
Heck, if it's got a decent screen and battery life, AND runs Win 7 I'm ALL OVER IT! To heck with the crippled maxi...er iPad.
Looks janky.
Back to the drawing board, fellows.
ipad or no pad
look better than iPad
I remember that one pictured above. It looked pretty good for its time. There was another rebranded here as Electrovaya Scribbler 4000 (still made by amtek). It looked pretty close to an ipad with a glass screen. The only problem was it cost $2500. Hopefully they can get it below to near ipad pricing. Also hope the battery isn't an issue, as it seems the older versions the battery was bad.
Now the issue is if they can make it thin and has really good build quality.
The name is so much better than the unspeakable name that Apple gave to their upcoming glass and metal between an iPhone and Macbook tampon device without flash, multi-task, or camera.
As for the other points; I agree it will need Win 7 to smurf the touch features nicely--- and as for battery life, I just hope it is actually a netbook beater, which is doubtful considering some of the latest Pine Trail deals have 8hours +.... but something to hope for non the less.
The more competition for Apple's thingy, the better, cause that just means the 2 and 3G Apple Tablets will have to make serious progress.
Why is it running XP? lol were they just too lazy to modify the OS for the tablet?
It's Revolutionary, and will change the market segment its in! (i dunno why but i figured someone needs to say that it is since the apple fanboys won't)
Off topic, but are we not able to view downranked comments now? Or are they just not loading for me for some reason?
@zsmorr Same here, that kind of sucks.
@zsmorr its kinda good because people didnt use it properly... its good that they enabled commenting..
@cool8man Agreed, that was my objection up top...but it's got RITO.