Thinking about getting a SmartQ v7
 

Hi,

I really enjoy my n900, but think I have reached the limits of what I am looking to achieve with it.

What I am looking for is a device that is pocketable, lasts for 12-24 hrs (or turns on from standby very quickly), can run open office used with an external monitor / keyboard and can play movies on a tv.


The SmartQ v7 looks like a cost effective device to do all of these things, plus I can use the WinCE on it to learn Chinese :)

Does anyone have any experience with these devices?

Cheers

Re: Thinking about getting a SmartQ v7
 

The V7 is a 7" screen. How big is your pocket?

Re: Thinking about getting a SmartQ v7
 

I've got a jacket pocket capable of taking the 12cm width, but yes I guess I wouldn't call it "pocketable" by the normal definition!

Re: Thinking about getting a SmartQ v7
 

Either that or you're a huge fat guy. I've been looking at getting one of these too, possibly to mount in the car, or use as a MythTV remote control. They changed the system between the two releases, and I'm not certain that the V7 is any faster than the Q7, but then the V7 has the HDMI output. There are versions of Mer for the Smart Q7, but as far as I know, nothing for the V7. Ideally, I'd like to get Meego on a V7.

Re: Thinking about getting a SmartQ v7
 

I own the SmartQ7, if the N900, hell even the N810, would be in a 7inch version, it would be perfect: now the only advantage is the size (and you can buy multiple items for the same price).
I only use the Q7 when I realy want a bigger screen while typing documents - with abiword, open office was already slow on my N810. And Q7 ia much slower - but I won't complain, cause I know what I paid for it.
Well, let's say, the SmartQ7 ain't clever, where the N900 is: but it's cheap and has a nice bigger screen. I'd love to see a 7 inch N900-pad, with a slider keyboard: I would be so happy; I wouldn't even need the phone-part.

Re: Thinking about getting a SmartQ v7
 

Thanks for the info.

One question, do open office / evolution run on it?

Cheers

Re: Thinking about getting a SmartQ v7
 

I have a Q7 as well. If I'm honest, it doesn't see too much use.. its just not *quite* there. Really do think of it as a poor mans NIT with a bigger screen (but no higher resolution). It is a bit sluggish, to the point I've not tried open office or evolution on it (Abiword takes around 12 seconds to start up. Thats not terrible, but I am very impatient!).

With regards to Mer, it does work but I wouldn't call it day-to-day usable. It does very much feel like a work in progress, but because the latest work in Mer is going with a different GUI (which demands hardware capabilities beyond that of the Q7's) progress is slow. Also, if you run out of battery Mer will not shut down nicely and there are some horror stories surrounding that.

On the plus side, there is an excellent and very functional android build for it called QDroid. Its a touch rough around the edges but really quite usable once you get it set up.

I'm told WinCe runs pretty well, but i haven't got round to installing it.

A few good plus points- form factor wise the large screen is very nice (would have liked a better resolution). Battery life is excellent. And it is suprisingly pocketable.. fits in my back trouser (combats) pockets fine, easily in a coat pocket.

Main gripes- slow, dont like the plasticy feel, and I need a keyboard!

For the record, I've read reports that the V7 does have improved performance... to be honest, I would imagine it would have to because the Q7 doesn't feel like it could push out to a HDMI port...

Re: Thinking about getting a SmartQ v7
 

i wonder how the coming archos 7 home tablet will stack up against the smartq v7.

Re: Thinking about getting a SmartQ v7
 

i have a smartq v5 (5inch version)... its very pocketable... 1080p output works great... the three operating systems get better with each firmware release with android making most improvements (i still use ubuntu 90%.. seems to run 'cooler'). i love it... kinda sucks having no hardware keyboard but its pretty cool.

oOo is supposed to run ok... but i just think having a onscreen keyboard for productivity is an oxy*****... but there is that usb keyboard option...

oh one thing to note is that there isn't true hdmi out... it only does video playback.. ie no desktop. kinda annoying but w/e.

Re: Thinking about getting a SmartQ v7
 

What exactly are the limits you can achieve with an N900? One thing you neglect to mention is that the SmartQ v7 is not a phone but just an internet tablet, so you'd need to carry that plus a phone with you.

Re: Thinking about getting a SmartQ v7
 

I've been trying to get a SmartQ V7 for a while to review it, but the company completely and totally ignores me. :(

Re: Thinking about getting a SmartQ v7
 

You probably have to buy one ;-)

Re: Thinking about getting a SmartQ v7
 

Thank you for this HUGE note, qkall. I was seriously looking at the v5 as a replacement for my N800 and the HDMI output was really getting my attention ... but was assuming that meant desktop PC type output. Thanks for saving me from a big mistake (although the v5 still looks like a good possibility ... just not the shoe-in I thought it was)

--DF

Re: Thinking about getting a SmartQ v7
 

interesting device. My main thing I don't like about the n900 is the screen size. I feel I am constantly squinting.

Then again with the 7" display I'd want 1024 x 600 resolution.

But then why not get an ASUS eee pc T91 for a couple hundred more and use joiku for internet access?

Re: Thinking about getting a SmartQ v7
 

I've been looking into it and apparently desktop through hdmi is due in a future update.

So I'm going to hold off buying one of these until this materialises... Will be uber once it does!

Re: Thinking about getting a SmartQ v7
 

i just read on one of their forums that android 2.1 is due in an upcoming firmware release....

Re: Thinking about getting a SmartQ v7
 

Yeah I know Computex is this week and there will be a gazillion tegra 2 tablets coming out...

However, these are now being sold with Android 2.1, and I found one for £140 :D Plus there's going to be upstream kernel support for these devices, so they've got a promising future.

One is on its way now, I'll let you guys know how it goes. I'm hoping it will be a brilliant companion for the n900

Re: Thinking about getting a SmartQ v7
 

I carried a spiral notebook throughout high school and college and on the bus every day and it didn't fit in my pocket. I didn't feel deprived and thought it was normal.