Mactablet.com.au

Not tech related, just a rant against Google

2009-09-25T19:53:00.001-07:00

http://thepeopleceo.blogspot.com/2009/09/google-project-10-to-100-what-joke.html

Comparison of LG P100 windows experience index

2009-09-13T02:49:00.000-07:00

Drivers make a big difference.
Here's the comparison of the windows experience index after upgrading to Windows 7 and then after I installed the Nvidia graphics driver for it's graphics card. The top one shows 3.9 for graphics type things. The bottom one shows a 5.1 for gaming graphics. A 4.1 for windows aero graphics is excellent too. Show me another UMPC or netbook that can do that.

Upgrading the LG P100's 100GB hard drive to SSD

2009-09-08T03:04:00.000-07:00

As you probably know the LG P100 has a dedicated graphics card which is more than capable of handling Photoshop CS as well as movies and some gaming. But the hard drive is a joke. Lg for some unthinkable reason took a machine capable of a 13,379 ALU score and a 12,451 FPU and a 7870 MEM, and put in a 4200 rpm hard drive.

So it gets 2596 on the Crystalmark for Hard drive! Likewise the Windows experience index is let down by hard drive performance and returns a 3.9. Which isn’t horrible for a UMPC but compared to the results you get out of a 5400 rpm drive or an SSD drive it’s not great.

Recently Chippy from UMPC portal got 22,864 out of his Touchnote with a RunCore IV SSD fitted. If I get the same results from my disk swap I’ll push the LG’s benchmark score to around 80,000! the 60,000 I could acheive standard left 99% of UMPC’s in it’s dust anyway.

SSD drive

This is the drive I have ordered. Stay tuned for a tute on how to do it.

LG P100 Dual upgraded to Windows 7

2009-09-07T18:28:00.000-07:00

Had some success last night upgrading to Windows 7. It took 7 hours to upgrade from Vista Service pack 2 which is totally unacceptable though.

After a few restarts the only things that aren't working are the LG Battery Miser application and one of the function buttons displays.

Touch screen works, wireless etc. All these are using Vista drivers. It does report that the modem driver doesn't work but I've never actually used the modem.

Strangely the Windows experience index is reporting less performance from things:

WEI on Vitsa after I put in the new RAM.

POst upgrade to Windows 7.

Awesome mockup of a Mactablet

2009-08-05T06:39:00.000-07:00

My favourite to date!

Apple Tablet shown to an analyst - I don't think so

2009-08-02T20:53:00.001-07:00

Barrons is reporting (a little) more on the Tablet. - http://online.barrons.com/article/SB124907975033998015.html

Unfortunately it's short on detail and big on questionable content. The statement that a veteran analyst has seen a prototype is a joke. Why would this un-named analyst be shown aything? Wouldn't it contravene countless disclosure laws concerning Companies that are listed on the Stock exchange and are as volitile as Apple?

The announcement (and views of prototypes) will happen thus:

Big Institutional investors will be shown a presentation and then the media will get it through a standard Apple marketing campaign which follows the same model as everything else they've done for the past 10 years.

How many times have blogs, journos and analysts got it so dead wrong.......ipods, iphones, etc etc etc.

7 years of mactablet rumours

2009-07-31T06:03:00.000-07:00

This is a trip down amnesia lane:

eWEEK, November 2002, "Waiting for the Mac Tablet":
"It's my strong belief - let's call it a hunch - that prototype Mac tablets are already making the rounds among select developers."

Engadget, May 2005, "Apple's patented the Tablet Mac"
"[Tablet-Mac rumors] became substantiated today when Apple's secret plans for a tablet PC were ... revealed.

CutMeLoose.com, May 2005, "Apple Tablet PC sightings"
"I have no less than 5 sources saying an Apple Tablet announcement is due soon."

Cnet UK, November 2007, "Apple Tablet PC is real, says Asus"
"You can bet your bottom dollar [a tablet Mac] is being built as you read this."

Mac|Life, January 2008, "The Apple Tablet Mac: 8 Reasons It’s Gonna Happen"
"The tablet rumor has been around for the last couple years, but now, all the ducks are in a row."

ZDNet, May 2008, "Tablet Mac coming this fall"
"A little birdy tells me that Apple will announce a 12 or 13-inch tablet in the fall of this year."

Wired, July 2008, "Apple to Launch MacBook Touch?"
"The blogosphere is aflutter with rumors of a touchscreen Mac tablet."

Industry Standard, December 2008, "Apple announces Mac tablet at Macworld 2009?"
"Could this 6 year old rumor finally come true?"

And neither has The Reg been immune to tablet temptations. Witness:

December 2003, "Delayed tablet Mac to launch next month?"
"Apple's much-rumoured launch of a tablet-style device may come to fruition early next year."

August 2004, "Euro filing reveals Apple 'handheld computer'"
"Apple may finally be about to bring [the tablet Mac] to market."

Dreaming of a Mactablet

2009-07-31T05:55:00.000-07:00

This is what I'd really like it to look like:

Round up of the latest Mactablet rumours

2009-07-29T06:02:00.000-07:00

Here's a great link to get all the latest gossip and rumours on the Mact Tablet:

http://solsie.com/2009/07/apple-itouch-rumors-round-up/

The rumours have ramped up in the last two weeks. It's either something in the water or else it may be coming at last (here's hoping).

A news article apeared in a Taiwanese Newspaper about a Chinese firm assembling the tablets for a Sept release. This hasn't happened before (an article coming from a source out of the US blogosphere) - at least not to my knowledge.

The Mactablet, coming at last first 1/4 2010

2009-07-27T03:10:00.000-07:00

Well here we go again, Mactablet rumour confirmed: release date first quarter 2010.

It does come from Apple insider but still....one day it'll be tru, won't it?

Apple Insider Mac Tablet story

New Blog Vilivboys

2009-07-12T02:51:00.000-07:00

I'll keep this site on the chance that someday Apple will release a Tablet, but until then I'm moving offshore: http://vilivboys.wordpress.com/

This site will feature mobility tips and tricks using Viliv UMPC's, namely the Viliv S5 and X70 EX premium.

New Mactablet rumour

2009-05-27T05:05:00.001-07:00

Tech crunch article on the Mac tablet. I have to treat as a rumour even though it comes from a good source because as we all know: we're not going to really find out about the Mac Tablet until the minute/second it's launched at the Mac Expo. I disagree with the CPU postulating though. IMHO there's no way the tablet will use a dual core or anything like a high end processor. The tradeoffs in battery life, weight, heat and cost would be too great. If they're basing it around the iPhone OS (good idea) and basically making it a giant iPhone running a super phone OS (great idea) then why not use a lesser spec'd processor that will give you good performance and 6 hours battery life for 800 grams. They'll probably launch a new processor at the same time (made by the guys at P.A. Semi).

http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/05/21/what-we-know-about-the-apple-tablet-so-far/

No Viliv so it's lucky that the mactablet might be just around the corner

2009-05-14T15:28:00.000-07:00

The apple tablet: Holy Grail? Myth?

Apple is rumored (again I know) to shortly unveil a new, larger, touch oriented device.

Chippy of UMPC portal coined the term: iPod Plus. I'll call it the iPad becuase I like that. It's spoken of as essentially a device based around the concepts of the iPhone/iPod Touch (simple touch navigated software) but with less focus on the phone aspect and more focus on media and web interaction. This is certainly UMPC territory but Apple has repeatedly questioned the UMPC/netbook form factor as not user friendly and I have to agree with a lot of their points. I've seen people hunched over an eeepc in an airport lounge and it's not pretty. But also I've seen people (and been one) happily browsing RSS feeds and web pages on an iPhone.

While Apple would not want to enter the netbook market because of well covered issues I can't see them staying away from the larger form factor iPhone. A larger screen (but not too large) in a slate form factor would give them a unique device. Perhaps you will be able to tether it to the iPhone for 3G? This would make you buy both devices as you can't tether an iPhone to your laptop normally. Cheeky? That's Apple.

Dynamism Viliv pre-order launch a total waste of time for people wihout AMEX

2009-05-14T15:24:00.000-07:00

I got up in the middle of the night to order a Viliv S5 from Dynamism. They had an additional 400 units after the first 100 sold out (with lots of issues with their servers being slammed).

I went through the pre-signup process 15 minutes early so I'd be prepared. Then zero hour and I got a pre-order unit with the car kit, batteries and extras. But then: I went to buy and had to pay via AMEX. That's it. Everyone else can whistle.

So no S5 for me.

Bumptop... hmm sucks

2009-04-30T14:58:00.000-07:00

Bumptop is in concept a great idea but in execution? It's amassive processor drain and still has some bugs. Granted I'm trying it on an ultra portable laptop tablet, but it is one of the most powerful one's! The LG P100 can handle almost anything you throw at it from Call of Duty to reasonably heavy video encoding tasks, but it works it's butt of to run bumptop.

Maybe it's because it's a beta but for whatever reason it's going in the recycle bin.

I've received my bumptop beta invite - cool

2009-04-05T23:25:00.000-07:00

Bumptop was announced ages ago with a cool video of it's use - http://bumptop.com/

But then sort of disappeared. I signed up for the beta but then forgot about it. Today I got an invite, downloaded the beta and once I've backed up the LG P100 (and my HTC Shift - why not put it on both?!) I'll install and have a play.

FROM THE SITE:

BumpTop, Rethink your Desktop

BumpTop is a fresh and engaging new way to interact with your computer desktop. You can pile and toss documents like on a real desk. Break free from the rigid and mechanical style of standard point-and-click desktops. Interact by pushing, pulling and piling documents with elegant, self revealing gestures. BumpTop's stunning interface makes clever use of 3D presentation and smooth physics-based animations for an engaging, vivid user experience.

Dell Adamo now available for pre order

2009-03-22T04:37:00.001-07:00

The Dell Adamo is absolutely stunning! There's some unboxing's happening now on the web (if you can call pulling it out of a clear plastic container unboxing!). I saw it and wanted one immediately....until I saw the price. Here in Oz the base model will set you back a mere $4300! Holy C#@*.

Looking for a Onenote alternative on Linux

2009-03-18T04:02:00.000-07:00

I'm installing Basket (a linux app) on Ubuntu on the LG P100 as I'm trying to see if I can get away with using Linux everyday instead of a Windoze machine. I use Onenote everyday and it's part of my going paperless strategy. I'll try out Basket and report back on the differences and disadvantages (if any).

All the rumours focus on the Apple netbook but it will also be a tablet - sort of

2009-03-10T19:16:00.001-07:00

Rumours have been flying around for the last week about Apple launching a netbook later in the year but as you can see http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20090309PB204.html Wintek will supply touch panels for the Apple netbook. So it's going to be a tablet, sort of. Maybe like the Everun Note with a touch screen that doesn't convert into a tablet (silly) or if they get it right it'll be a convertible like the P1610 or LG-P100.

Dispatched and hatched - sale of Q1U and plans hatched for sale and buy

2009-03-10T02:35:00.000-07:00

I've sold my Q1U and regret it already. I'm not having a great time with the HTC Shift and that's mainly because of the limitations of the Windows mobile side. I can't access the wireless and so need to have Vista running to get to the wifi so I don't have to use my 3G (hey we can't all have unlimited and constant access to our networsk. So therefore I can only get 2 hours use max out of it instead of the three days I was promised. Well not exactly promised but come on.

So I'm now thinking of going back to the solution I had before - LG-P100 forthe heavy lifting powerful tablet PC but still aUMPC and the HTC advantage for ultra portability. And since there's a new Advantage maybe that's worth a look.

New patent application lodged by apple - tablet?

2009-02-11T17:13:00.000-08:00

Interesting tablet related patent application from Apple?

US patent application

IMages

The invention pertains to an improved housing for a computing device. More particularly, a first aspect of the invention pertains to a computer housing having a logo or other symbol that can be illuminated using light from the backside of a display panel. A second aspect of the invention pertains to a suspended frame is able to support a display panel within a display housing. A third aspect of the invention pertains to a computing device provided with an internal antenna. A fourth aspect of the invention pertains to a stiffener for a computer housing so as to increase the rigidity and strength of the computer housing. A fifth aspect of the invention pertains to illumination of design elements or features using light from the backside of a display panel. A sixth aspect of the invention pertains to a lid for a computing device, such as a portable computer, that is provided with a translucent housing.

In another embodiment of the invention, lightweight stiffening is provided for a portable computer housing. In this particular embodiment, the computer housing is a LCD display screen housing. FIG. 13 is a broken perspective view of a LCD display screen housing 1310 according to one embodiment of the invention. The LCD display screen housing 1310 includes a bezel (frame) 1312 and an LCD display screen 1314 that form a front portion of the LCD display housing 1310

windows

2009-02-05T16:11:00.001-08:00

quick video of ubuntu's first boot on the LG P100

2009-01-29T05:18:00.000-08:00

Sound, touchpad, wireless and bluetooth all working out of the box. Nvidia card says it needs a driver and I'm going to have to download something to get tochscreen to work but pretty happy so far.

Installing Ubuntu on the LG P100

2009-01-29T05:04:00.000-08:00

10 minutes in with Windows 7 on the Samsung Q1U

2009-01-11T04:22:00.000-08:00

Well windows 7 is installed on my Q1U.

I'm still writing up the shocking user experience to download from Microsoft - it was a friggin joke and you guys are a billion dollar company, get it sorted.

Standard windoze style install. Couldn't upgrade the Sammy because I was running XP Tablet and you can only upgrade from Vista. So no drivers came over :( and it's a clean install for me.

Touchscreen works but has the same issues as in Vista (OK in the centre and off at the edges). Doesn't see it as a touchscreen just like Vista so no tablet features. Sheesh. I have never got my touchscreen to work in Vista which is why I was on XP Tablet.

Everything is pretty fast (I have 2GB ram) but of course there's no drivers, software or anti-virus on it yet.

The crack up is that 2 hours after downloading the installer Windows had to download and install an update! Gotta be a new record for Microsoft.

Here's a few pictures: