Benq S6 - Atom based MID
 

This device just launched in italy for 429 Euros unsubsidized. The specs are pretty compelling and the UI is pretty sexy and seems responsive.

http://umpcportal.com/gallery/v/benq/IMG_7058.JPG

INTEL Atom-based MID
512MB of RAM
2GB Flash memory
4.8-inch 800 x 480
WiFi / Bluetooth 2.0 / 7.2 mbs HSDPA
Full size SD slot

Its a little chunky in size though barely pocketable, i still will wait to see what the N900 will be all about.

link

http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/26/b...ts-up-in-ital/

video -

http://www.umpcportal.com/2008/08/be...verview-video/

Re: Benq S6 - Atom based MID
 

That one looks very interesting. The video proved it wasn't vapourware for sure..

The user interface looked quite good.

The onscreen keyboard was substandard though, it only had letters on it and none of the really important keys (/\;| and so on), and no numerical keypad. That's what I like with the N800 onscreen keyboard compared to any of the others I've used - it's got the numerics right there (and other keys) with no need to hit an 'alt' or 'num' key.

The 2GB SSD looks like a design mistake to me. 2GB won't take you anywhere. They should have gone for an internal SD slot instead, it would have meant instant large-size internal flash for less cost, and given you flexibility.

I realized something while watching the video.. they way he held it looked clumsy to me (like he could drop it unless he wasn't careful). I'm so used to use the N800 stand to secure my grip that I can't imagine just holding it at the edge alone anymore.

But it looked like they've got a lot of things right with that machine.

Re: Benq S6 - Atom based MID
 

Looks cool, anyone have an idea of the battery life?

Re: Benq S6 - Atom based MID
 

With an Atom? It wont be long.

Re: Benq S6 - Atom based MID
 

Figured as much, so probably something on the order of 2-4 hours like the rest of the Atom stuff. Nokia wins again!

Re: Benq S6 - Atom based MID
 

The guy in the video mentioned 3 hours browsing time, which, even if it was just a guess, isn't much. My N800 can browse for days if the wi-fi router is good. Internet radio streaming is a different story though (vagalume seems to be much better than the built-in internet radio however).

The performance looked good though. But maybe we can get that kind of performance from the omap3 chipsets too.

Re: Benq S6 - Atom based MID
 

Which do you all prefer.
Excellent battery life or excellent performance.

By excellent battery life I mean that you can have the device on doing typical task for 4-6 hours.
By excellent performance I mean that there is no perceived lag on anything whatsoever.

Re: Benq S6 - Atom based MID
 

Nice form-factor, although it deserves better than 800x480.

Re: Benq S6 - Atom based MID
 

Well, I'd rather have excellent performance, if that were possible. I've done some nice industrial-strength linear algebra work that would be very nice to have with no perceived lag -- but getting done overnight on a single-processor desktop was good enough.

Honestly, you can make every decision to be made in a design in favor of battery life. You will not sell any of the resulting product.

You can also make every decision in favor of performance. You'll sell the same number.

If you get something in the middle, people will buy it. So phrasing the question in terms of extremes (or one extreme and one fixed point) doesn't seem real helpful; I will say that I generally find myself dissatisfied with the battery life of a gadget more often than with its performance.

Re: Benq S6 - Atom based MID
 

Hi,

Does it really need to be a choice?

I really like my N800 a lot but would like the video performance to be as good as it is on my Axim x50V.

For me, the lag in video play is not a deal breaker but will be for some.

Lousy battery life was a reason for me to buy my N800 and mothball my Axim.

David

Re: Benq S6 - Atom based MID
 

Battery life, weight, size and the OS are my deciding factors (in that order).

A lot of friends love my N810, but I have trouble recommending it due to the steep learning curve to get everything up and running. As a result I tend to point them towards the ipod Touch, even though I would never want one (I can't type on those darn things) as it works straight out of the box.

I'm always on the look out for a N810 equivalent that is easier to use that I can point family and friends towards - basically an ipod touch with a hardware keyboard - but that does not exist. I think the N900 will fill that void especially if you don't need to flash it as soon as you open the box.

Re: Benq S6 - Atom based MID
 

Well, uh, since we haven't invented free energy yet . . . yeah, it kinda does.

Minor oddities of a badly setup display system on a specific tablet aren't really a part of this discussion.

Re: Benq S6 - Atom based MID
 

Don't any of you guys believe in a spare battery ?

That's something I'm really impressed with on the N810. Lovely slim battery. Can carry a spare in my wallet no problem.

I've been checking out the HTC Touch HD (nice hardware) and one of the first things I found myself looking for is how pocketable the battery would be. Not something I would have done before...

Zuber

Re: Benq S6 - Atom based MID
 

No, I really don't believe in having to shut my device down to enjoy the second half of its battery life. They should make the battery twice the size, then I could get an aftermarket one twice that size, and keep the original as a genuine spare.

Since that didn't happen, I use iogear gearjuice mobile and black&decker pocket-power battery packs to recharge while working when I need more than a microbattery's worth.

Re: Benq S6 - Atom based MID
 

Fair enough, but fiddling with all that sounds harder than carrying a spare ;)

Zuber

Re: Benq S6 - Atom based MID
 

Seeing as the S6 runs on an Atom processor and the battery life is expected to be under 4 hours.

Based on responses so far, I don't think many of us will find this device as a suitable alternative to the N8xxN900.

Although it will probably be pretty fast. The Battery life is not acceptable.

Re: Benq S6 - Atom based MID
 

A second battery is something else I have to carry around and worry about, plus I'd need a battery charger as well. Then I'd probably either lose it or leave in my pants pocket and run it through the washing machine.

I did the second battery thing with my first cell phone (Nokia) and I lost a few batteries in the process. I no longer have a cell phone and I'm a happier person.

Re: Benq S6 - Atom based MID
 

There is a new image gallery up over on UMPCportal, like other users have said this device is really interesting but the battery life issue is big.

http://www.umpcportal.com/gallery/v/benq/benqalberto/

Re: Benq S6 - Atom based MID
 

The way you can scroll web pages by tilting the device looks interesting. I saw a technology demo of this many years ago, and it's great to see it come to fruition in a real product. Have a look at the demo in the video on BenQ's site:

http://benq.com/products/MobileInter...&page=features

Re: Benq S6 - Atom based MID
 

Just saw the new video on UNPC portal.

Device looks really good. UI is great.

Load times is abit of an issue for me however. I like instant on devices so that I can start to input data while someone is talking.

If only it was a little smaller....

But I know it will be great for some other people. Price is just right.

Re: Benq S6 - Atom based MID
 

UI looks like they took some time to think about the interactions. I'm not as happy about the 2/3 screen utilization aspect, but definitely like the ways they have implemented touch and drag options.

The use of the accelerometer for scrolling webpages is smart, I do that on my N95 now and it defintely makes reading some sites a lot better. I'd like to see that extended a bit throughout the other apps (picture viewer, etc.).

Overall, looks like a nice update to the N810, defintiely a bit more consumer friendly with the software polish. Battery life is indeed a concern, but if they built it with 3-4hrs of battery life, then it could be a solid travel companion.

Nice competitor.

Re: Benq S6 - Atom based MID
 

If Marketing says I'll get 3-4 hrs, I count myself lucky if I really get 2-3 hrs, then after a year the battery will be weaker and I'll get 1-2 hrs. Not good enough.

Roger.

Re: Benq S6 - Atom based MID
 

in the past I owned a N800 brought by a friend from NY for 200 euro, and after using the device a couple of months i ended up selling it for 2 reasons, one was the fact that the n810 launched and i was drooling after the physical keyboard and smaller form factor and the other reason was connectivity, when i am at home i can work on my desktop or my laptop and what i wanted was a internet ready device to carry with me 90% of my time, the lack of 3G built in the n800/n910 is what kills them in my opinion, most of the time i found a have some free time when i am doing stuff in the city to browse the net and there is no hotspot around , what do you do then, also what good is the GPS (i mean for his primary function - navigation) if google maps requires a internet connection, no hotspot when you are driving

this is why i called a friend in Italy and i asked him to buy the Benq S6 and send it to me, it should arrive Tuesday, the price now is 300 euros + 20 euro for transport.

what sold me on the S6 was the built in 3G ( i have an unlimited vodafone data sim) and the fast intel atom because i use google reader a lot and that is ajax

all around i like more the n800/n810 in terms of aspect and features but lack of 3G kills it for me and this Benq is a good compromise until the n900 will hit the market

also I will add that i used a HTC advantage for the past month and aldo the battery life was the best i saw in any device until this day, the functionality and slowness of windows mobile is killing the excellent product... shame microsoft

Re: Benq S6 - Atom based MID
 

Good luck with your purchase, I hope it pleases you.

If you have the chance to post back with your impressions and evaluations I, for one, would like to hear them.

Re: Benq S6 - Atom based MID
 

hey guys, i got the tablet, unfortunately I am at a cabin in the mountains and I cant do videos and stuff and play with it to much as 3G reception is very poor here, but as initial thoughts can tell you the tablet runs great, u can plug in a keyboard and mouse right out of the box and run with that, the battery life is not very good but i will test more when i get home, definetly HSDPA built in is the key sales factor as the tablet is much more bulkier then the N800

Re: Benq S6 - Atom based MID
 

A pretty cool way to spend Christmas if you ask me.

Look forward to a detailed update.