ExoPC Slate hands-on
By Joanna Stern 
posted May 30th 2010 10:20AM
posted May 30th 2010 10:20AM
When it comes down to size, the 11.6-inch ExoPC Slate fits right in between the 12.1-inch JooJoo and the 9.7-inch iPad. And though it's better held in two hands, it's still just as thin and light as Apple's tablet. Overall, we were quite taken with the build quality of the prototype device we saw, and the fact that it manages to make room for two USB ports, an SD card slot and an HDMI out. There's also a VGA webcam along the top bezel. Internally, the tablet packs an 1.6GHz Intel Atom N450 processor, 2GB of RAM and a 32GB SSD. On top of all that, the Slate promises full 1080p playback thanks to its Broadcom Crystal HD chip. While our experience with the HD solution has been flaky at best, we did witness a high-def clip play smoothly on the screen.
But the hardware and specs of the ExoPC aren't what impressed us the most about the tablet. Nope, the capacitive touchscreen and the custom software layer on top of Windows 7 stole the show. While we found the 1366 x 768-resolution screen to be super reflective and ridden with poor viewing angles, it was extremely responsive to light taps, swipes and multitouch gestures within Windows 7 Ultimate and ExoPC's own UI. And the latter is just the sort of thing we have been looking for in a Windows 7 slate. We've taken to calling it the Connect Four interface, but regardless of what ExoPC officially calls it, the Win 7 layer is incredibly unique and simple to navigate with a finger. Each of the circles can be customized to contain a different program or website shortcut and there are added setting controls along the peripheries. The video demo should speak for itself, but after just a few minutes of playing around with the device we had gotten the hang of closing apps by dragging them to the side and getting back to the main menu. Interestingly, the ExoPC guys aren't just relying on regular Windows applications -- they have created polished, touch-friendly e-book, music and photo gallery programs. They're also working with other developers to create an app store. However, those that prefer a standard Windows 7 tablet experience won't be disappointed -- you can easily get back to the OS and they plan to ship it with a stylus for navigating menus / handwriting input.
Here's where we'd love to tell you the wait is over, but unfortunately it isn't. ExoPC has a ways to go in terms of working on the LCD quality and the UI integration, but promises that the tablet should be ready by early September for $599. Of course, we'll believe that when we see it, but at least we're one step closer to knowing that there are some very solid and innovative Windows 7-based tablets out there.
Update: Our bad for not mentioning the promised battery life. According to ExoPC, the two-cell battery should last five hours on a single charge, but a bit longer when playing video using the Broadcom card. We'd say that we're probably looking at more like three hours with WiFi on, but we won't know until we actually get to test it.
Not bad. Lookin good
I'm a long time windows user that just picked up the ipad the other day after seeing lackluster like this being the only forseeable units, besides the Adam, which is increasingly looking like vaporware. I hate apples restrictiveness, but a jailbreak later and ive got access to the file system, wireless printing and syncing without iTunes, multitasking and more. The lack of flash sucks, but I'm surprised at how little I notice it considering how much of a windows addict vie been for a while.
This tablet seems, like many of the other ones coming out, to offer all the "functionality" the ipad lacks, but being realistic it needs to be on for it to even accomplish anything, and a 3 hour battery life isn't gonna do it. Not to mention, everyone is making a huge deal about having access to all of your "apps" from the pc, but programs like cs4 and dreamweaver would be woefully inadequate on slate hardware. In comparison, apps like brushes and sketchbook pro have already been proven to be viable for tablet artists, contrary to the people stating that you can't get "real" (whatever that means) work or art done.
It's ironic because what you people are asking for, and are upset about what the ipad is not, is a laptop without a keyboard, but why not just keep your laptop WITH a keyboard if you don't like the direction that tablets are going?. Ive been using windows for over a decade, and I even have a touch pro 2 so that tells you how much I stick by windows, and it's taught me to always value practicality over ideology or aesthetics, in terms of a tablet, the ipad is by far the most practical in terms of it's battery life, application ecosystem, and generals utility. I was extremely skeptical, but apple has managed go create a device that has found a place in my life from the airport, down to my kitchen with the iPad, and if their is going to be competition, we need companies looking to deliver unique experiences for the slate era of technology rather than repackaging windows 7, which as a complete os is fantastic, but for media and data consumption isn't the most streamlined.
Senseless supporting non innovative companies like these guys is as bad as apple fanboys senselessly supporting apples draconian policies. I'd like my ipad to have some comp, but I don't expect to see any serious challengers until google steps into the ring. After discovering the viability of an application based approach to media consumption on the iPad, I'm convinced that a comprehensive ecosystem that allows for individuals and companies to tailor an experience the way they want for an audience will be key, and if we want something that will last without being massive or requiring us to have a generator attached to our back, google seems to be the way to pray.
@Hyakku
3 hours batteries life is not so bad for many people. Many of us have used laptop which only got 2 to 3 hours batteries life for years and we didn't feel something like "isn't gonna do it". Moreover, the articles have mentioned that it can be longer if we only watch video.
programs like cs4 may not run smoothly but it is still acceptable. It is at least acceptable on my friend's netbook.
@Hyakku
I have no idea why people like you dislike a Windows 7 portable device. Do you know how many netbooks have been sold in the world up to present? What many of us need is just a netbook without the keyboard, and it must has USB slots so that we can connect keyboard and mouse to it easily when we need them.
@Rockchan
I'm really sorry to say this, but it is clear that the netbook is merely a smaller laptop. Unfortunately however, "smaller" does not usually mean "better". I have a netbook, which has turned out to be the least used computer device in my household. Not only is the screen too small to run the regular Windows desktop, not only is the screen quality compromised, but it is just too small to be used as practical computer. I only use it occasionally now for browsing the web. However, I don't really need a hard keyboard to do that.
Please remember that the iPad has NEVER been considered as a desktop/laptop replacement, but merely something which fits in the middle. It clearly sounds as though a lot of people out there are looking for a laptop/netbook without a keyboard. To me, this sounds like people are stuck in the 20th century, looking to hook-up peripherals, external devices, have expansion capabilities etc. But why.
I am a proud owner of an iPad, and yes, it has a number of limitations. But you have to remember that it is NOT a desktop replacement or a laptop replacement by any stretch of the imagination. When iPad 2.0 arrives, which again, will be way ahead of the competition, I will be selling my current iPad on eBay to get my hands on the next phase. Watch this space.
@Ruthless
People who expect to use a netbook at home is a mistake from the very beginning.
The value of a netbook is it is portable so that you can bring it everywhere, while it can do what a laptop can.
None of my friend who purchased a netbook to use at home. Most of them have got either a desktop or laptop already. Those people I know who only got a netbook is not heavy user.
Many people use netbook as an extension of the PC or heavy laptop at home. An ipad is currently incapable of opening most normal files that were saved under a window applications, even if we don't mind to accept a slower speed to use those files.
@Rockchan
While we treat a netbook as an extension of our laptop/desktop, we sometimes don't need a keyboard. A keyboard only makes a netbook heavier to be used. That's why many of us are looking for a Windows 7 slate.
I’m currently thinkin’ about the perfect tablet which could look like this: an 11.6 inch netvertible with a detachable keyboard (and a second battery inside), that could dualboot on both windows 7, and Android or maybe run the google os inside a vm without too much performance issues. what you guys think, such a device could hypothetically cost to produce on todays market??
Oh man. First thing I'm installing on this when I buy one at release is lcars menu system. =)
Hey! There's the CBC logo on it (6, -5.)
OKAY now that ASUS showed its hand in the Tablet/Slate game what is the verdict. ASUS or EXOPC? Love the ExoPC UI but love everything on the ASUS including the 10 Hour battery life, the Core 2 Duo CULV processor, full win 7, hybrid docking station, and $499.99 price tag. Not liking the 1st Qtr 2011 release though.
@bajanx
agreed, if asus managed to get it out before xmas, id be having myself a lovely xmas treat :P
$499? Sounds like somebody is copying another company again! I guess someone has to set the benchmark.
I just do not see the point of having a netbook without a hard keyboard. A desktop should remain a desktop. A laptop should be a portable desktop. However a tablet needs to be a tablet, not a hybrid of a laptop/netbook.
@Ruthless
Are you serious, your not talking about IPad are you. If you are get off your dope brahhhh. This is so much more than some gimped netbook(yes i consider them all netbooks even the Ipad). You know I take that back, the IPad is a magical work of friggin wonder that does video, some of the web and apps. Thats it in a nutshell. I need more than that and most others do also. This thing does all that the IPAD does and more. I want to be able to surf, watch videos, listen to music, check my email, finish up a word doc from work, print out of the box using homegroup, take advantage of all the things i do on my bigass laptop in this nice small formfactor. I don' know about you but I think the best a show last CES was a hybrid tablet/laptop from lenovo and everyone drueled all over that shit. This seems to be an even better incarnation with and awesome new processor and killer battery life. I don't see any negatives other than it comes out in 2010.
@Ruthless
2011 is the yr it comes out not 2010(its one negative so far until hands on are done)
@bajanx
What you are saying doesn't match up with the reality of today's market. There are already multiple tablet alternatives and have been for some time that did not accrue even a fraction of the ipads anticipation or critical acclaim. If it was not satisfactory for most looking to enter the tablet market, why has it managed to absolutely dominate the tablet market? I'm sure you can assuage your feelings of superiority by telling yourself its because they are all stupid, but don't go making completely illogical statements like the ipad doesn't satisfy most peoples demands when all indications point to it being the new figurehead for the slate model.
Whether you like another tablet or more is completely up to you, but to say that the iPad isn't sufficient for the masses with absolutely no evidence for the contrary is ridiculous.
And again, why wouldn't people just buy any of the convertible tsblets available Now if this thing is only going to get 5 hours of battery life anyway? It would be easier to just install a custom ui over one of those and leave it at that if all you want is a windows 7 pc without a keyboard.
@Hyakku Please point me to another Capacitive multi-touch, Pressure sensitive Windows 7 tablet that is priced in the $599 area that has been on the market for some time. A Tablet PC is not the same as a Slate PC. Just like a Laptop is not the same as a Netbook.
Didn't Intel just state that about 1 million PC's are sold every day? I haven't seen any published breakdown of how many of those a Tablet PC's. The iPad selling 2 million in 60 days is an excellent achievement, but it's kind of early to pick a winner in this race.
@Hyakku
Sir, why in gods name would i purchase a devices that I know in my heart and soul is limited in so many ways and would limit my productivity. Now I know steve have the Idiot stick that he swings repeated at the fanboys of apple and they just drink the koolaid, but tell me the truth why doesn't the Ipad have a camera? Is that technology not fully baked yet? Why can't you print from it? Why not just one USB port? Don't tell me it not needed. It all comes down this fact: Old Stevie Boy is going to rape you fanboys for all you got. I give it 7 more month and they will be a new Ipad with a camera and something else that it didn't need untill the next one comes. DO you fanbois not see the trend with the way they scame you. All the tech in the Iphone 3GS could have been in the first one, same with the Ipod Touch and so it will be with the Ipad. Looking at either the ASUS/EXOPC instead of a netbook. The IPAD cannnot and I repeat cannot replace a netbook. Its an Ipod touch with zoom enabled. Not want I need. My2cents!
Yeah Ausu is doing themselves a Major injustice by not getting this out before the holiday season, but maybe a perfectly polished tablet is better than a rushed one.
totally stoked for this bad boy... nice coverage Engadget!!!!
I still don't think full-blown Win7 is meant for a tablet..
*moans & touches himself as he sees awesome tablet*
...crap, forgot what I was gonna say
A real os, take notes apple. I wonder if the battery is replaceable, take notes of that too apple.
@ElectronicDreamer
Yes, I really want to carry three batteres with me for my tablet pc to get the same battery life as an iPad just so I can prove to apple I know how to change a battery!
@Hyakku How is that any different then carry around a laptop with your iPad so you can do real work? Oh, oh, you know what? You can carry an ExoPC instead of your laptop and when your iPad needs to sync up with your iTunes library, you can connect it to your ExoPC.
Problem solved!
@rwalrond
What could you do on this exo viably that you couldn't on an iPad? They have iworks, music apps (like korg and looptastic that are actually optimized for a tablet experience), art apps like brushes and which have been proven to be pretty comprehensive in terms of their use, and with a jailbreak you can wirelessly print, access the file system without iTunes, multitask and more with our having to sacrifice battery life or speed. It's incredibly unrealistic to try to suggest that people will be using cs4 and ableton and expect to get any type of decent battery life. The only apps this would run that iPad or android tablets wouldn't would be memory intensive and power hungry apps like cs4 that would completely destroy then portable experience of the tablet pc.
Besides, on a long plane ride I would much rather have my device last than be sble to do two hours of Photoshop before my battery is low, but maybe that's just me.
@Hyakku Why do you assume because I want windows on my slate means I'm going to run some memory intensive, cpu hogging software? For starters, I would like when I'm home to be able to stream my media right from my home network. I want to be able to copy the media that I'm going to take with me without having to connect to iTunes and sync. When I'm at work I want to be able to connect to my corporate network to pull down that powerpoint document that my co-worker put on the network drive. When I browse the internet I would like to use Chrome, I've grown to like it. My wife may want to use the slate, I would like for her to have her own profile, so she can setup her email accounts, etc. I'll keep going, when I'm at home and one of the servers needs to be checked, I should be able to remote desktop to my Windows server (without buying an app, it's been built in to windows for years!), oh a client called and I need to ftp up a file to them (is there an app for that? if so is it free?), plus my source files are stored on the NAS, should I get out of bed and go to the desktop to send the file(If I have an iPad, Yes) oh wait, grandma is calling on skype and want to see the kids, no problem will use the built in webcam (unless I have an iPad, I probably would have missed the skype call since I can't fully multi-task). I'll stop there cause I'm getting tired, but the bottom line is that you should have jailbreak a device that you spent all that money on just to get the functionality that you should have had in the first place. Plus after jailbreaking you no longer can be part of the Apple world, so you have to commit a crime and go back to jail, just to get your OS update!
Listen, no doubt, I give Apple credit for once again shaking up a market segment, but that doesn't mean we all have to follow Steve like lemmings!
PS. The last plane I went on had a power outlet, and I think before that I was on one that I charged my iPhone on a USB on the seat in front of me. Yes Battery life is important, but what good is ten hours of staring at God Finger or We Rule?
@rwalrond That was shouldn't have to Jailbreak....
@rwalrond
Almost all of those things you mentioned you can do with a jailbroken ipad, and despite you trying to make jailbreaking seem ultra complex (ironic, considering that you seem to imply that anyone who owns an apple product is too simple to use a computer), it is literally a twenty second task that involved downloading an exe, and clicking the jailbreak button. Gasp You can wirelessly print, use your ipad as a second display, ftp, vnc server, etc. I agree that the lack of camera is a drawback, but that is something I can personally live with, if you can't don't get an ipad.
The difference between the ipad and these other tablets is that it was designed from the ground up to be used in the slate form factor, its limitations are mainly OS features that can be added or tweaked and can easily be addressed (and have been or currently are being worked on). In comparison, Windows 7 was designed for a keyboard and mouse experience, just because you can use your fingers with it doesn't mean it will provide the optimal experience.
It's funny because I own a WM 6.5 phone with my own cooked in rom, so you can't tell me anything about Windows potential. If your theory was right everyone would be walking around with a TP 2 instead of an iphone and enjoying the limitless freedom provided by it, but they don't, and after years of dealing with an OS like WM I can understand why the average person wouldn't want to spend time learning to tweak something just to get it to work. These tablets are no different, no one wants to waste time or have to carry extra accessories just to get comparable performance, let alone experience, to viable alternatives
@Hyakku I'm sorry did I miss something? You ended your post with "the average person wouldn't want to spend time learning to tweak something" but you started off your post talking about JailBreaking your iPad, is the average person going to do that? Doesn't that lock them out of what makes the iPad worth it(iTunes)?
Why would you think the other tablets were not designed to be tablets from the ground up? Tablets has always been able to go into slate mode. Sure Touch Gestures are the new thing now, but tablets before were designed to be tablets.
Windows 7 as an OS can handle many applications, it is obvious that touch is going to be the next big thing, Microsoft has built the API's in, with the release of VS 2010, any programmer can easily add multi-touch gestures to their applications.
Listen, I'm not trying to convince you not to buy or love your iPad, you took a shot at the extra battery thing and I simply pointed out that similar types of arguments could be made about any product. The iPad is not perfect, the Windows Slates are not perfect.
To continue to argue about the iPad is not worth it, this article is about the ExoPC and I'm finally excited about a Windows Slate. I'm no fool, I will continue to develop for the iPad/iPhone, because I love taking your money, but I won't invest in an iPad when products like the ExoPC fits better into my life.
Cheers!
@Hyakku Sorry if you get two responses. I typed out a nice response but the system didn't take it.
The bottom line is this, you talk about people not wanting to tweak anything, but yet you point out that all these things can be done but Jailbreaking the iPad. Doesn't jailbreaking lock you out of iTunes? isn't that the iPad's greatest strength?
Listen, keep your iPad, I agree with you it's an amazing product, however it won't fit into my life. I will continue to develop for the iPhone/iPad because I enjoy taking your money :) however the ExoPC is more my style.
@Hyakku With a PC I can
Print.
Video chat.
Multitask with 2 screens at once.
Run MS Office apps.
Run Firefox and all of it's add-ons.
Wirelessly sync my bookmarks.
Run Zune software.
Use a mouse for productivity software.
Scan an image.
Save a file to or access a file from a thumb drive, SD card, or external HDD.
Send, receive, view, any file type that I need to.
Charge a phone, mp3 player, or any USB based device.
I guess to some people functionality is important. I think the list of what I could do with an iPad would be a lot shorter than the list of what a Windows PC can do that an iPad can't.
If I'm going to spend $600 on a computer I don't want Apple's baby toy that was designed for people who have never used a computer before. I think Apple understands this and will drastically reduce the price of the iPad once the real slate computers finally come out. Considering it costs them only about $250 to make an iPad I think we'll see the price eventually cut in half.
@cool8man
See, I'm not here to convince people to buy an iPad, I do that enough in real life being such a ms fanboy that people that know me literally get interested just because I used to say those same things, but its just erroneous.
Like I said, most of those things can already be done jail broken or will be added in 4.0. Wirelssly print, multitasking (I'm sure you can enjoy having multiple windows open on a 10 inch screen but I'll stick to just multitasking), Iworks instead of ms office, you can already wirelessly sync all of your apps, settings, etc., i just lolled at you comparing zune services with iTunes so we wont go there, I have no idea how or why you would be scanning an image on a tablet (at work? Why wouldn't you use the computer on your exchange server?), and you can send or receive a majority if file formats and use them with a jail broken iPad, and yea, you plan to waste your long lasting 3 hours of battery life to charge your phone? Why don't you just buy a laptop?
Of your list up there, only three things apply, video chatting is coming out, so make that two, the mouse input is largely unwanted, and on the contrary artists have embraced using a capacitive stylus for more detailed work in apps like sketchbook pro, so make that one. I personally would rather have chrome than firefox, but I agree with that sentiment.
As for rw, your argument is a contradiction. Either people want all of these features, and thus would learn how to jailbreak the iPad (which is already far simplef than even troubleshooting a pc program) or not buy it, or you are agreeing that the market is showing that more is not always best if not done properly. And I have no idea why you wouldn't be able to go on the app store of sync to itunes jailbroken, one of the major reasons people do is so they can wirelessly sync without iTunes pre 4.0.
I'm just herento set the record straigt, because I was hoodwinked into buying a net book to replace my laptop when I got my iPad, and while sufficient for light web browsing or word processing, you people claiming it can slice your bread while deriving quantum physics aree out of your mind. Unless you're willing to put up with windows 7 starter (which completely destroys the whole, full os argument) or lower, your netbook (maybe the new ion ones) is not going to run a flash video while you video chat, listen to music and have another program open (which is completely unrealistic but the kind of what if situations I used to employ that kept men from such a great device.) in this sense the iPad can be just as functional, if not mores than it's net book counterpart. Notebook and laptops are a different story.
Why not just get an ultraportable for like 400 or 500 like the 14z with a dual core, 6-8hours of battery life with an 8cell and can actually run a full os for like .7 lbs more than a net book with a nicer screen and dedicated gpu? It just doesn't make sense to buy a tablet with windows 7 in it's current inception instead of just buying a UPC if your argument is that you want power and mobility. Its literally the same experience, just with shittier hardware and less physical features, how is that better than just buying an ultraportable that weighs less than a lb more?
@GAM3R Wow even the dead is getting excited about the ExoPC!
They should throw Chrome on that thing for some smooth scrolling. It's nearly flawless on my eeePC.
The last shot on the video is so Bladerunner. Or is it Perfect Dark?
Only if it runs hackintosh .
If they up the battery life and fix the screen issues, count me in for day one. Looks promising.
I've been waiting for this thing to be released for months now.
I don't mind the wait though, as it keeps getting better =]
If it gets over 3+ hours, heavy use, 5+ hours, light use, I'll be happy.
I tried it in Rimouski. I agree with most of the text. The fan seemed pretty loud, and it is rather heavy after a while. Being widescreen, portrait feels weird, but landscape is great.
I for one will be buying an ExoPC in September, its the best in its class when you look at the complete package.
For all you others out there that cant wait until its release here's a fun countdown until the predicted release date!
http://kevindark.co.uk/ExoPC.aspx