Here’s my overview and opinion on the UMID MBook M1 in 12 points and a seven minute video. It highlights what I think are the most important things you should be thinking about if you’re looking to buy it.
Negative
- Build quality. Plastics and part fitting is poor. Some creaking and poorly fitted casing components. *1
- Table or handtop use. Neither are perfect. If the screen folded back further it would be far more comfortable to use in hands. Too light for tabletop touchscreen use.
- One shift key is awkward in handheld mode. Strange layout for some keyboard characters.
- Wifi and BT default to off after standby and can not be individually enabled.
- No direct usb or headphone port
- (Not in the video) No mouse control other than touchscreen which can be fiddly with Windows XP.
Positive
- Smallest, most powerful notebook style pocketable pc available.
- Extremely fast to boot, resume and start programs due to fast ssd
- Good quality touchscreen with stabilisation software/drivers.
- Powerful enough for Skype video capability out of the box. Good webcam.
- Excellent battery life. (I’m currently running a full start-to-finish web browsing battery life test as I write this.)
- While not perfect in every scenario, can be used successfully in every scenario. A flexible device.
- Silent, cool operation.
Overall it’s one of the best ultra mobile PC devices available on the market and a great step forward for UMPCs but there’s still a lot of room for improvement.
More information, links, videos, gallery in the UMID information page.
[*1 I am told that this is a retail UMID Mbook and not a prototype as I mentioned in the video. JKK has a similar problem with the one he bought from Ebay but there’s still a question about whether I have one of the pre-recall versions here.]
UMID Mbook UMPC in 12 points and 7 minutes http://cli.gs/PZRWB0
Thanks for that. First couple of minutes put me off, the rest of the video drew me back.
I’m still split with the Viliv a bit though. A main use would be PMP and the screen opening could hamper how I’d use it?
Must try and resist and wait for my Pandora…
I heard that villiv s5 is heavier than most PMPs and touch screen is
not so good. still its much more stable than m1 and the company has lots
of experience in the busines, so you should choose
There will always be room for improvement.
Good to know it i usful i most scenarios which is what I would look for in UMPC.
Unfortunately for my business use I need USB and LAN – so my company won’t buy them.
@Chippy Exclnt UMID M1 overview video http://tinyurl.com/dl9zp7 Don’t you think that v2 of M1 could really it, if they fix a few things?
The missing 3.5mm headphone socket is an instant failure to me. The fact that it is imperfect for eighter tabletop AND handheld typing, is just another nail in the coffin.
Looks pretty good, Chippy, even with all it’s faults, if one wants a truly pocketable full Windows experience device….
Have a feeling that MBook M2 will really be the ticket, don’t ya think?
;-)
We look forward to a future classifieds post from you… ;)
Thanks for the support, Marc…. ;-)
But as I said, probably won’t get one if at all until v2; built-in mouse pointer, better folding angles for display, separate WiFi/BT switch, and a LAN port
Meanwhile, only 2 more weeks of waiting before my new lil’ Black Beauty arrives…. custom Vaio P 1.86/64GB SSD/WWAN/GPS/BT, the whole enchilada….
;-)
I think this was the video that stopped me wanting… thanks for the ‘warts ‘n all approach’… now I’m back to the viliv…
what is the maximum resolution this can output to an external monitor? is the Viliv the same?
Good video. Graphics seemed to be a little slow. The photo on engadget didn’t scroll in but it suddenly appeared. The bigger image arrived striped.
Maybe the Aigo is easier to use when touching and typing but a clamshell is good for presentation or tired hands.
To me, there is only one negative: the view angle and it cab be easily fixed by cutting off some nipples so the lid can be opened up more.
As for the WiFi/BT button, it is not a problem at all, I just need to press one nore button right after the power button.
For tabletop use, I just use my left hand to hold the keyboard while I use the touchscreen. The view angle, again, is the real problem here.
For the headphone jack, the included headphones can plug directly into the multiport. If I need to use my own headphones, I’ll cut off the stock headphones and use the plug to make short converter.
The mini USB port is exactly another positive point to me. Otherwise I’d have to carry 455g (16 oz) like the OQO and Viliv S5) other than just 315g (11 oz).
For some strange key arrangement, it is necessary otherwise keys will be much smaller. Fujitsu U2010 is the same way. A good trade-off for largest keys possible in a tiny keyboard like this. I can do touch-typing quite well as I’m typing this.
For the single left shif key, you don’t know that XP has something called sticky keys?
This keyboard is very thoughtfully designed, well done, you just need to use it a little more to appreciate it.
As for building quality, I have no complain. If it will be even better, good; for what it is right now, all fine. My devices are all just my tools, not for showing up.
This video is an example why I don’t trust on professional reviewers, especially for special devices like this. Only real users know how well or how bad a machine really is. Yes I do appreciate Chippy’s hard work.
This UMID is so far the only UMPC that’s done right. Keyboard, screen, weight, size, battery life, performance, ports, heat, quietness…, even the protection skins, are all superb. More to improve? sure, but it is finally the first acceptable UMPC, enough for now.
That almost sounded like a paid endorcement. ;)
Theres no point in denying its flaws, especially not when it involves hacking at it with a knife to get it halfway working. Id much rather have a USB port and 3.5mm jack, and a hinge that works properly right from the box.
This thing has no flaw; the designer had to make some trade-offs to get you a pocketable notebook with a real keyboard. Before this, all we had were handhelds only.
Let me tell you some real positive points:
Standby battery drain is only 8% for 10 hours. In comparison, Sony P drains 25% and eeePC drains 40%, OQO is even much worse. This M1 is so far the only Atom PC you can really depend on standby and thus always ready. 1GB RAM is nice, but I’d rather trade that for long standby.
By installing the new Intel graphic driver 10.0, total memory usage after a reboot is only 120MB. Then 512MB is quite enough.
With Pure Codec, HD (1280×720) playing uses less than 20% CPU time.
There is a HDD (SSD) activity LED. Most tiny computers such as OQO and S5 do not have this, sometime you have no idea what’s going on.
With a real keyboard, web brwosing is very handy with key shortcuts, such as space for page down, shift+arrow for links and selecting text, etc. Plus few finger touches, this is really an ideal browser. I really don’t miss a mouse.
I can go on and on, this is by far the only UMPC that can do serious work and happens to be the lightest and smallest with longest battery life and a real keyboard. Others are toys or secondary. I have not seen such a thoughtful products for a long time.
OK, fixup, I’m sold….put me down for 2 of these lil’ bad boys…
;-)
Howmuch is umid paying you exactly?
I don’t think people should keep knocking fixup for being positive about something.
It’s nice there is actually a product out there to get positive about. It’s been too long.
I have to admit he has got me close to purchasing a couple of times!
I know the M1 has its good sides, but to try and justify its flaws sounds a bit fishy to me.
I almost bailed on my plans to get a wibrain/eking i1 for this one, untill steve shed some light on some of its ugly warts. Not having a 3.5mm headset port and missing even 1 simple usb port is inexcusable to me. Id rather pack on 20 grams and have my proper connectivity thanks. If I want to use my pendrive, id still have to shlepp along some stupid dongles.
The bad hinge and low RAM just killed it completely.
I have no any kind of relationship with UMID. I paid $647 exactly to gmarket for my UMID M1. See details here:
http://www.umpcportal.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=5364&forum=12
You are simply disgusting. I feel stupid to even bother to answer your assault. My answer is not to you, but for others and for the sake of this first UMPC that’s done right.
BTW, there is an USB port, you just need to use a mini USB cable to use it, or use the included adapter. So is the headphone jack. These are not flaws but trade-offs for weight and thickness.
As I said, there are sure more to improve, but for what it is, it is already the perfect UMPC I’ve been waiting for all these years. I’m VERY picky, but I never nick pick. OQO was the only other UMPC I have, which is a perfect handheld PC, but not a notebook like this one.
Didn’t you say the SSD on it was slow and runs hot?
The truth is 512MB of RAM is way too small. Viliv S5 achieves 200 hour standby using 1GB memory anyway so there’s nothing special on the UMID.
Compared to what we’ve hand before though this is a breath of fresh air in the umpc market. Just about every other umpc either hasn’t been ultra mobile or has had serious problems out of the box with either performance, noise, screen resolution, keyboard etc.
I heard news that UMID is planning to renew(again) its poor plastic
this time by throwing away old ones and making it with another compeny
Anyone else heard this? I was close to buying one today…
I heard it on UMID korean homepage, so this is an official statement by
UMID. Although I have no idea when and how they are going to change it
or if they are going to change both domestic and international versions.
@Kim can you post a link and translate what they say please?
I’ve found this on the umid website under news, translated with google
Hello!
All of our products, please use gogaesukyeo people will thank you.
The current contents of the issue I’d like to answer.
1. Appearance Issues
: Appearance of the problem still did not get to meet customers sobijabun I apologize.
Modifying a car despite mold and injection molding company’s quality standards do not reach the goal level as our two cars to fix, and even endure the loss of more mold in the batch relegate the party to determine the progress made by .
Soon hope to introduce quality improvements.
2. Mobile phone charging capability issues
: Hayeoteumedo apply for a patent for a cell phone charging capabilities and skills on two kinds of features (using a cell phone charger, USB charger) to charge you to use all the time, as well as take up more than 20 hours is not available in all the cell phone charger adapters. Constant voltage, all designed to sosumodelman charging current is available. We even use the feature to 1 would aim to use the USB chungjeongineungman was early in the specification bulletin. Applied to 10 hours USB charging time is shortened.
Despite this our decision, considering the above-mentioned inconveniences and to those who wish to use a cell phone charger use rekseobiseusenteoreul daewooil hope to receive the desired service. The schedule for service and cooperation, Daewoo Electronics, after the announcement, we’ll be re-0.
3. DMB susinyul and full-screen issues
: 4 / 9 on Win XP on DMB player receives DMB DMB Player for Linux, such as performance, it is to be improved some.
Can continue to improve we will try to.
And, in a full screen, full screen, so I can request for the S / W that is put on our website. Only the S / W and downloading is a problem with CPU market share to climb a lot.
Because of this, the 1.1GHz model, the screen is slow to multitask while watching DMB the 1.1GHz model, a user can cause symptoms that you download, please jiyanghae. Underway to improve the review is complete and re-notice all deurigetseupni.
The problem is not the 1.33GHz model.
DMB sobijabun related to the apologies for the inconvenience.
4. Natural discharge issues
: NotePC embukeseoneun like other smart battery support. PMP is a feature common deungeneun.
Smart features is performed by micom, battery charge / discharge, Power On / Off, and is responsible for power management. To power the system off of the micom you have always lived
Because the battery power consumption will occur. Note PC is significantly lower because of the size of the battery discharge capacity embuke like this almost, but not
The same discharge rate.
The ultra-Note PC is embukdo Note PC and the same is part of discharge.
5. LCD Panel Issues
: Embukeneun to Samsung’s LCD and AMLCD.
LCD at the bottom, and a total of 11 LED, 1 line in the 5 to 6 dogs and the other line is connected in parallel eoitneun structure as the LED, LCD, you adjust the brightness of the LED and the LED in dark shades, like a stain LCD issues, including the visible symptoms are not bad in the basis.
Continue to improve the consumer will ask about the inconvenience.
6. Heat issues
: Kiseukin a cafe for the official position of our company have a say.
Can cause fever kiseukin used in the Do not use during the storage time will tell I’ve used.
Because of these issues are not available in kiseukin instead of a gift and can guard the skin.
7. Accessories issues
: Xander Xander use the USB for the inconvenience that I know.
The solution for us to offer a lot of guys sobijabun information is based on the various types of considering gender will be determined as soon as possible.
The volume of the earpiece volume control, the keyboard can be carriers of yieotgie are deleted.
As much attention to product quality was insufficient for the carriers as part of accessories is now a fact.
Will once again say I’m sorry.
8. Door Micro SD card issues
: If you close the cover by pressing the only part of the woocheukkkeut will remain closed.
9. Adapter Size Issues
: The burden of development costs, without a separate adapter development using off-the-shelf to the size you want because we will not use.
To improve these models will be the follow-up.
Please purchase the M1 for the convenience of use sobijabun We will be doing their best work.
In addition, the subsequent products, most of these parts will be considered for the launch.
We will be the sobijabun their eternal companion.
This is in response to the sound discretion of the sobijabun neuteotdeon that you must understand the period.
Mojjorok to provide better products and we sobijabun customers.
Thank you.
All employees yuemahyidi ㈜
Link to the above, this was posted on the umid website on the 15th
http://i-mbook.co.kr/news/news_view.php?id=18&record_start=1
Thanks Scoobie.
Nice to see they are providing detailed responses, even if I don’t understand it all!
S
Interesting. Bad manufacturing Q is something that I constantly think about as I use the UMID. I looked at the keyboard this morning and somehow it’s started to ‘bow’ up. Remember that I may have a hand-finished pre-production sample here and not final retail.
Steve
They seem to be pretty widely available, so there is a good chance you have a real one…
chippy – I think you have a production model because the pre-retail models had very visible problems with the plastic
I agree with scoobie, pre-retailed models were recalled once in Korea.
but who purched still think they should have a second recall.
thats how bad it still is
This UMID was ordered before the recall as a sample so its still possible that its not one of the latest.
However, im pleased to say that me and Umy are getting on very well indeed. It has to be the fastest handheld full browser i have ever used. If only that screen would go back further. It ruins the thumbing experience. Im lying on my back right now and the screen falls forward a little making it even worse.
Steve
You should try the LieNbook or something similar while using notebook in bed……….. after googling, I found out that LieNbook is not
available out of my country but I think there must be something similar
At least I saw something similar in Japen. Anyway overhead book hangers were
good for PMPs and notebooks during bedtimes(it can only become bad
if it collapses while you sleep).
Can someone tell me whether you can have the device in your pocket while listening to music from it with earphones? I.e. is there a way to prevent it from going to sleep when the screen goes down?
Therotically it’s possible.
However. 1) You will get heat build up in your pocket. If th device is locked to 800Mhz/600Mhz with screen of it should be OK but I just want to make you aware.
2) The sound output on the UMID is very poor. Not just through the supplied headphones but also through quality headphones (which need an adaptor.) All in all, not a very good audio device at all. Viliv S5 is far far better for that.
Steve
Assuming it works with a “lid switch” like a netbook, you can assign what it ll do when triggered in your power settings. Simply set it to “do nothing” to disable it. Ofcourse theres some timers shutting various parts down, but you could just set those to turn off the screen only.
Well, I thought I’d pipe in here since I bought a an mbook about 3 weeks from UMID (well, I think it was UMID, we called the number on their website and got their address, but the office in Yongsan said Sorimaul).
Anyways, I thought I’d add my 2 cents:
– I watched the video and Chippy’s seems to creak a lot. My does creak a bit, but no where near as much as when he squeezed the screen bezel. It’s closer to the creaking of the my iPhone 3G than what I heard in the video. Maybe it will after I use it more
– Even on my production model, the plastics are kinda poor, and I was assured that mine had the new hinge
– For me, the keyboard was the deciding factor. I started out years ago with Palm Pilots and when I moved to a Sony Clie that had a keyboard I was hooked. Then I got a couple of Sharp Zaurus’s that have keyboards, but they were still membrane keyboards. Then I moved to the OQO 01+, still a membrane keyboard, but it ran XP. But it runs hot, it’s slow and noisy and battery life is pretty poor. The UMID isn’t perfect, but it was compelling enough for me to buy one
– When I use the touchscreen, maybe Chippy works out too much, but I haven’t pushed it over yet
– There is no such thing as a umpc being too light
– I’m able to use more than one finger while typing, I’m trying to develop some sort of modified touch typing technique where I can use 2 or 3 fingers from each hand. Everytime I buy a new device, it takes awhile for me to optimize my typing. I do tabletop typing just fine than, I don’t need to hold it up
– I would be nice if the screen folded back about 10 degrees more, but from the ideal thumb typing position, I probably move hands about half a centimetre
– Strange layout for keyboard, I agree. I have the linux version, I use the forward slash a lot while navigating the filesystem from the command line. Sooner or later it will bug me enough and I will remap some keys. The single shift key is also annoying
– After 3 weeks of ownership, my keyboard hasn’t bowed up yet. It does flex a bit, this does bother me. Think about how much flex a keyboard on an Acer laptop from Walmart flexes.
– the Hancomm Linux version doesn’t seem to have a driver for bluetooth, so I don’t have the single button for wifi/BT issue. But I would like to
– The lack of a direct USB port doesn’t bother me too much, I had the same issue with my Zaurus
– The lack of a direct headphone port doesn’t bother me too much either, music is on my iPhone
– The lack of a mouse input device doesn’t bother me as much as I thought it would. Then again I am using the Linux version and the interface seems to be designed for touch input. I did play around with the XP version, and yah, you will need to use the stylus, things are small on the desktop. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to have a Thinkpad trackpoint style mouse controller.
– Mine did get hot once. I closed the lid and it didn’t seem to sleep, when I came back sever hours later it was pretty warm. But not OQO 01+ warm :) Shutdown and startup times are so fast that I shut it down now instead.
– Versus the Viliv, I did check it out in Yongsan quickly (I had already bought the UMID at that time, so I didn’t want to get tempted). It seemed heavy (heavier?), and I need a keyboard. I also need something that I can put down on a table during meetings that will stand up on its own.
– I would have loved to have 1GB on this thing. In fact I would love to have about 8GB on this thing, but I bought this for the pocketability, and for checking email and surfing. Not running for running Oracle, or WebLogic or Visual Studio. But I’d love to :)
– I regret not buying an extra battery, the guy offered me one for about $25 US.
I’m sure the next version will be better, but who knows when/if it’s coming out?
melmo, thanks for that valuable feedback.
I recommend that others read it if they’re interested in the UMID.
Chippy.
P.S. I don’t work-out!
I will buy it when sound quality will be better, and with usb and 3.5mm headphone jack biult in,
Regards
Bought a UMID unseen on Ebay; I have owned a number of OQOs, most of which have gone up in smoke or been dropped. I had resorted to an Asus 701 to take to Hospital every day, but the UMID fits in my jacket pocket, is smaller than my wallet/diary and the battery lasts all day.
The mini-usb socket works with an adapter lead got on Ebay (rather than use and lose the supplied dongle) to read memory sticks and an HSDPA dongle, although I would not trust it to supply 0.5 amps for an external drive or charge a phone.
The ONLY shortcoming is no VGA output to hook up for powerpoint presentations. Not solved that one yet.
I might even buy a spare, as I am fairly rough with my pocketables (thus the graveyard of OQOs).
Your VGA out problem is easy to solve. Try one of these:
http://www.evga.com/products/moreInfo.asp?pn=100-U2-UV12-A1&family=USB
(Up to 1440×900 resolutions)
Or more resolution for more money:
http://www.evga.com/products/moreInfo.asp?pn=100-U2-UV16-A1&family=USB
(Up to 1600×1200 resolutions)
They work a treat with the UMID and Viliv.
Apparently, it never occurred to Bacher to ask why Iran and North Korea would attack the West, since it would mean their immediate annihilation, nor inquire into what possible motivation either country could have to lob missiles at the West. ,
Can the Umid power an external usb2.0 portable drive?