Gigabyte MID M528
 

Gigabyte MID M528. Very nice... 800mhz Atom. If it provides similar battery life to the N810 I think we have a winner. Ubuntu Mobile = Win

http://www.umpcportal.com/products/product.php?id=170

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

Just out of curiosity, have you actually used Ubuntu Mobile? I've been hearing from various people that it isn't really ready yet and that neither is Intel's Moblin. And yes, that Gigabyte MID looks really nice. If they can hit a similar battery life to the N8x0 and a reasonable price point they'll have a real winner on their hands I think. I'll believe that when I see it though...

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

I've used the Ubuntu Mobile interface. It's slow and flashy and nothing more to it, similar to the methodology that Canola2 delivers to us in terms of interface. It's rather hard to believe that an x86 device could deliver the same battery life at comparable settings.

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

There is a video at UMPC Portal. GUI interface does seem slow, and the web browser could not be demonstrated because site WiFi was down. Launch about June in Europe for about 700 Euros, with 4GB flash, GPS, a 3 MPixel camera, WiFi and 3G networking. There was no mention of battery life.

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

depending on speed and battery issues, I might be interested in it.

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

Personally I think this is shaping up pretty well. Those who have seen it say that it impresses more than the N810. Here is a longer video, mainly chat but lots of comments on the physical layout, keyboard quality, and so on.

http://www.umpcportal.com/modules/ne...p?storyid=1304

And it runs Mobile Ubuntu. Said already, I know, but worth repeating.

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

Ubuntu mobile really isn't done yet but I imagine it will progress faster than the glacial speed of IT OS. 2D and 3D hardware acceleration out of the gate, and power usage is down to 25mw at idle... Quite impressive.

I look forward to the Intel MIDs this year.

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

Yeah, but at 700 Euros? That's pricey. That's a little over $1000 USD. I don't think it's worth more than 2 N810s. Plus, it's not like 3G has great coverage all over the US yet, and it's certainly not at a price point I could afford, so that's not such a huge advantage from my perspective.

The reason I got an N810 was because of the excellent battery life, which beats the M528's estimated 3-4 hours, and it's actually pocketable. But it's already on the large side of pocketability, I wouldn't want to be driving around with anything larger than an N810 in my pocket. Then again I live in Arizona with its 117F summers and can't wear a jacket all year round with big pockets for my gadgets =P

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

I'm not worried about 3G coverage. I wont be playing high data-rate games, or doing anything along those lines, on my NIT-like device. For me, it's for those moments when I'm out but need to suddenly get access to my servers, or something along those lines. In that situation, 3G is a bonus, not a necessity. I'll be fine with EDGE for ssh and basic things.

Further, since I switched from an N800 to an N810, battery life is ... odd. I can start with 9days/6hours, leave it in the pelican case over night (shut down), and in the morning it's out of battery. And, where the N800 pretty routinely got the number of hours of battery life that it estimated, the N810 seems to never get that many hours of battery life.

Last, I haven't carried either of my NITs in a pocket. I'm too paranoid about it getting damaged if I bump into something a little too hard, it accidentally falling out, etc. So I carry mine in a Pelican case, and the Pelican case is in a Maxpedition bag. I'm pretty sure this device will fit that situation just fine :-)


But, what the intel MIDs have going for them are:

1) x86 compatibility (I know, that has some power issues, but it really does expand some horizons)
2) most seem to be using more generic Linux distributions (such as Ubuntu Mobile); as much as I like Maemo, I wish it was being adopted by more other organizations
3) when I look at the ergonomic choices that are being made in the physical design of most MIDs, compared to the N810, I like the MIDs better. Especially the EB MIMD ... I wish someone would just decide to manufacture that damn thing.

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

A bit more video action here
http://www.umpcportal.com/modules/ne...p?storyid=1323

Apart from a few built quality niggles concerning the slider keyboard action, this looks like it will be worth waiting for.

Me too, there was a video of a working model running VoIP very successfully, apart from that news has been very quiet.

Ubuntu Mobile should be worth waiting for too.

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

The N8x0 omap chip has a PowerVR 3d acceleration module. Why nokia has not written a basic library or extended X to take advantage of it is beyond me.

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

most likely license issues.

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

Looks very interesting. At 700 euros retail price and with the larger size it is not directly a competitor. Also the 3 hours of battery life makes it less of a mobile device, even though it seems quite decent for a x86 cpu.

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

The company I work for is in talks with EB MIMD about manufacturing it-- I don't know how serious it is-- but we have talked with them regarding the matter. This video of the Aigo MID-- which is essentially the same thing as the Gigabyte M528-- is one of my favorites:
http://www.themidkid.com/?p=27

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

Need alpha or beta testers? ;-)

And do you know what features it'll have?

SD slots?
how much RAM?
SSD options?
WWAN options (WiMAX, CDMA/1xRTT/EVDO, GSM(europe/AT&T/T-mo-usa)/GRPS/EDGE/UMTS/HSPA/LTE)?

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

Good info, keep us posted, please.

I hadn't seen that video before, it so cool to see how Ubuntu Mobile is progressing. Personally I can't wait for these devices to be launched.

Also, I like your website and shall keep checking it for news.

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

Yeah- I'll keep everyone posted if our company goes any further with licensing the EB MIMD for manufacturing.

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

Was just reading through your web page, and your "ideal device". I like what you wrote, and would only add these items:


1) I'd like the screen to be tiltable (like the AT&T Tilt)

2) I'd just be more explicit in what you said about "3G or WiMAX", in saying "UMTS/HSPA, EVDO, or WiMAX". I'd settle for an Express Card slot on the top of the device, which provides that functionality (but could also, in theory, provide other functionality). But, having an EVDO product I can use with Sprint, or a UMTS product I can use with T-Mobile-USA would be rather nice. In fact, having a device I can use with T-Mobile-USA for UMTS, SMS/MMS, and UMA calls ... THAT would be outstanding (whether or not it could do regular GSM calls, or only do VOIP over UMTS when away from a UMA/Hotspot-At-Home service, would be ok with me... just saying, if you've got Wifi, and support for T-Mobile-USA, I wonder how much harder it would be to do UMA).

3) What you said about a laptop that basically can act as a "docking station" for the device ... you can probably do that with an OQO. No one has made such a laptop, but the OQO does have a docking station port, and a desktop docking station. I like your idea, though, and you could do both: have laptop and desktop "shells" for the device, so that you could use the laptop's screen and keyboard (and perhaps HDD/SDD and CD/DVD storage) when you want ... and/or do the same thing with a desktop enclosure.

4) rather than have a build-in projector, I'd just have a micro-DVI out, or something similar for HDMI. If the micro-DVI supported the -A wires, you could have a micro-DVI to VGA interface, as well. Or, you could even have it be something that works with the docking-station interface, so you could plug it into a projector, a laptop, or a desktop. I can understand not wanting the need for a real projector, but I have to wonder just how much internal space such a thing takes up.


Wonder how hard it'd be to get those features worked into the EB MIMD ;-)


Oh, one last question, since you've probably seen the EB-MIMD in person ... what are all fo the side-rail buttons? Looks like there's two for the right thumb, 3 for the left thumb, and then a round button about half way up the left side (a Dpad?) ... what are all of those wonderful buttons!? :-)

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

VERY good point about the tilt screen-- I will add that on there because I believe that would be a necessity too. Personally, I haven't seen the EB-MIMD in person. People in my company have, but I haven't. I talked with them last week and they said they sent some production numbers and what not to Elektrobit, but they haven't responded yet. So we'll see what happens. I was wondering the same thing about the buttons on the sides of the device as well! I think having the buttons on the sides is really ideal though. It really extends the functionality of the device by not limiting interface to just the touch screen (especially if the touch screen is not as responsive as say an iPhone).

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

those two gets my vote as well :)

sounds a bit like the celio redfly but for a mid ;)

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

Yep! Exactly-- if you read the "ideal device" section on my site, I mention the Celio Redfly. I think it's a really unique idea. Especially when you see the Redfly in action! YouTube it and it is pretty amazing.

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

heh, i have been expecting something like it for ages. i just wondered what took them so long ;)

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

More details on the M528 are out.

http://www.trustedreviews.com/notebo...ID-Revealed/p1

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

Something I saw that concerned me:

1) HSPA via daughter card (good)
2) Wifi via SDIO (not good)
3) Bluetooth via USB (not good)

#2 might be ok if it's a separate SDIO slot than the microSD card slot used for user storage. If it's the same slot for both, then BAD BAD BAD BAD BAD.

And I have to use a bluetooth USB dongle to get bluetooth!?

#2 and #3 make me think this device probably WONT be on my shopping list, even if it's under $500. (and UMPCPortal thinks the final US price will be $750).

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

BT via USB's not so bad; someone will figure out internal mounting.

Sweet as this thing is, at that price, and with that cost in battery life, I'm pretty sure it's not for me.

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

Aigo MID (an Asia-centric version of the Gigabyte M528) is said to be priced at $770(HK $6000).The os pre-installed is Midinux 2.0,which I think is based on hildon desktop (just like maemo and ubuntu mobile), according to the screenshots.

screenshots of Midinux on Aigo MID:
http://www.engadget.com/photos/hands...ed-mid/567787/
There is a detailed review about it.(with Midinux)
http://www.umpcfever.com/news/?postid=828
another webpage about it:
http://www.umpcportal.com/2008/05/ai...to-windows-xp/

I think it's a very promising competitor compared to NIT.

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

That 2 hour battery life really isn't helping it though...

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

I misread the introduction “judging by their feedback on the Midinux2.0 OS build” to suggest that we would see Midinux running but it may not be ready for demonstration just yet.
Running XP on the device is an achievement of course just not encouraging to me.

I can only find Part 1 and Part 3 of the aigoMID unboxing videos maybe Part 2 will show Midiinux?
I shall keep an eye on:
http://www.youtube.com/user/umpcfever

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

This Aigo's Coolfox icon is strangely resembling that of Minefield :)

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

the m528 looks too big to be pocketable :X
I'll stick to my n810 XD

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

I don't carry my N810 in my pocket, so I don't mind something that is slightly too big to be pocketable. According to umpcportal, the dimensions are:

M528: 152/80/23 mm
N810: 128/72/14 mm

So, about 3/8 of an inch thicker, 1/3 of an inch wider, and about an inch longer. You could probably still put it in your pocket.

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

Myself, I would rather fret over the anticipated software that it will run rather than a few millimetres of physical size.

My expectation is that it will be far more capable and versatile than the N810. In which case the extra bulk trade-off will be acceptable.

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

Rebski: I agree.

However, part of that "more capable" part is not just the software features, but the hardware features.

If I can't hot-swap storage while maintaining an active wifi connection (because it sounds like it might use the same SD slot for both), then that's far _less_ capable and versatile than the N810 in an area that I would consider to be of primary importance.

Same with having to use an external bluetooth adapter. Especially if the USB port is in a similar location to the N810's ... where you basically can't comfortably hold the device for thumb typing AND use any USB at the same time. If they've more appropriately put the USB port along the top edge or bottom edge (each has its advantages), or done _both_, then that's more reasonable... but still sub-optimal.

We'll just have to wait and see what the final arrangement is, though.

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

Hi Johnkzin, what we have been getting glimpses of so far have been mock-ups, prototypes and pre-production models. So i haven’t really been scrutinising specs too closely on the assumption that they are in a state of flux and will change by the time the actual models are released.

But what you say is disturbing. In this day and age wi-fi and bluetooth should be built in. I tolerated swapping comms cards with memory card slots on my Zaurus because 5 years ago that was all cutting edge but now it is mainstream.

As you say, we just have to see. I hope the caveat, never buy version 1 of anything, will not be case here. It will be a long wait for the second generation models.

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

Gigabyte M528/Aigo Patriot hands on video:
http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/08/a...side-elevator/

Looks snappy, has calendar, Bluesoleil for linux...

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

that calendar looks like GPE ;)

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

Yup, but has a nifty desktop applet of some 3D or e17 kind :)

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

On Zaurus you (usually?) had 1 CF slot and 1 SD slot, so if you combined SD + WiFi on it, you could use your CF slot for whatever you prefer (e.g. GPS) provided you had SDIO support. The Linux kernel 2.4 (stock kernel for official Zaurus ROM) didn't have SDIO support.

For me SDIO + WiFi is of no concern. Especially not because the device includes 3G. I don't switch SD cards a lot, and I don't expect to use WiFi much either.

The integrated 3G makes this an attractive device IMO, but the price is a bit high for that. I don't like the white design BTW. Moblin also switches from Ubuntu to Fedora. I don't like that change either because I feel comfortable with APT. I'm looking forward to the first reviews of this device :)

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

Wi-fi is important to me (essential really), and I have really bad experiences with SDIO wi-fi. It's junk, compared to e.g. what's in the N8x0. The wi-fi card for my Palm didn't have a power saving mode, for example (which killed the battery in 20 minutes and also made the card very hot). There are also very few wi-fi sdio cards on the market. CFIO is another story (I also own a Zaurus and a cfio wi-fi card).

Re: Gigabyte MID M528
 

This device has supposedly entered the market, I was really looking forward to it 6 months ago but now with Maemo5, I think I can patiently wait a little while longer for next summer. I have high hopes for the next maemo hardware.

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post...n-devices.html