First the good news. That Gigabyte M912V tablet PC that showed its face at Computex? It’s real, and it’s spectacular (at least on paper). Now for the bad news. While the M912V is certainly cheap by tablet PC standards, at $699 it’s one of the most expensive “low cost,” Intel Atom-based ultraportable machines scheduled for release this year.
Here’s a rundown of what you get for the money:
- CPU: 1.6GHz Intel Atom
- Storage: 160GB HDD
- RAM: 1GB
- Display: 8.9 inch 1280 x 768 touch screen with 180 degree rotation angle
- OS: Windows XP, Vista Home Basic, or Linux
- Keyboard: 80 keys
- Expansion/Connectivity: 3 USB ports, Bluetooth, 802.11b/g
- Webcam: 1.3MP
- Battery: 4500mAh, 3.5 hours
No word on if or when the M912V will show up in the US.
[via Small-Laptops]
Please note that Vista Home Basic does not activate the Tablet PC functionality and Windows XP does not either. That means that no option mentioned by these folks will enable the Tablet bits on this device which negates the benefits somewhat.
FINALLY, a real tablet model! I realize that the $699 price tag puts this into a different category than some of the other models, but it’s already there due to its tablet form factor. I can’t wait to see some real hands-on reviews of this puppy.
Boy I do hope the US gets them, as I would skip all the mini-notes for a tablet model