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I've been waiting for this for several years now:

Paul Allen's Vulcan FlipStart

Development of the FlipStart seems to have flagged a bit since this website hasn't changed appreciably in over 2 years. What the heck has Paul Allen been working on that could be more important than what I want!?

Sounds like you want the Vulcan FlipStart PC (runs Windows XP, may be vaporware) or the Sharp Zaurus SL-C3000 (runs Linux on an ARM CPU, shipping now).

I've always kept my eye on the other Microsoft dude's computer... Just wish something would happen.

http://www.flipstartpc.com/

I'm anxious to find out whether it runs Linux (or you can create a Beowulf cluster of them).

P.S. I also curse Paul Allen each and every time I have to type a back-slash in a path name. Which, fortunately, is quite rarely these days.

It's funny because every time I look at these sorts of stats, it leads me to conclude that PDA users want more multimedia and productivity applications while laptops users want smaller and longer lasting systems. It seems like everyone is pushing towards items like the OQO, CPC, and Flipstart since they can run the big software applications people are accustomed. The problem seems to be the interface. The miniaturized PC-to-the-size-of-a-PDA concept is flawed because most programs these days are optimized for usability studies conducted with the mindset of the HIDs being keyboards and mice. This is one of the many reasons sales of the OQO haven't skyrocketed and tablet PCs really haven't taken off. So why can't we get software design houses revamp their application interfaces? Maybe the CPC guys have the right idea for the software and battery technology available when they want a tiny system with both the ability to run XP and Windows Mobile. Personally, I think the idea is a clunky hack until developers start designing interfaces for both keyboard/mouse and pen input. Maybe by then we'll have great battery technology that will give us a days worth of power on a single charge.

I still want a Vulcan FlipStart. It will probably come bundled with Duke Nukem 3D.

If it ever comes out of vaporware status, I think the Flipstart will be *THE* unit to have.

*drool*

Ender-

Um, I apologize if I mis-understood your post, but the OQO and Flipstart ARE full IBM-compatible PCs which last time I checked was a 100% open standard. The both run Windows XP. You could install Linux on them if you wanted to as well (as long as drivers are available for their video/audio chips). Granted they are not available just yet, but working systems have been shown to the public.

These devices are meant as a single replacement for both your Zaurus and your desktop PC. Why have two devices, constantly syncing data or not having the applications you need on hand? At least that's the theory. I believe this first generation will be too underpowered to be of use to me.

I think that the PDA world will take a dive once Handtop computers become available. Computers like the OQO, Flipstart and the Sony VGN-U70 will start to take over. Why have a PDA when you can bring the actual applications and data you want with you anywhere.

Things may not really take off till the second generation of these devices, but I'm looking forward to taking one of them for a test drive.

For example, the FlipStart has a larger, higher-res display (5.6" 1024x600) than the OQO (5" 800x480). The FlipStart has USB 2.0, the OQO has USB 1.1. The FlipStart has a 30 GB hard drive, the OQO a 20. Most of the other specs for the two units are just about the same (e.g., both support a docking cradle).

Furthermore, the FlipStart does all this while being just fractionally larger than the OQO. The only things that the OQO has that the FlipStart lacks is a FireWire port and a digitizer pen.

Thus, if the OQO and FlipStart hit the market at roughly the same time at roughly the same price, the FlipStart will eat it for breakfast.

The other thing that worries me about OQO is the exposed screen. Having the screen exposed on the outside of the unit seems like a bunch of scratches waiting to happen.

Now watch Paul Allen get his cheap ass and start funding his current vapor-ware project

Like this?

Flipstart PC

Paul Allen's heading that way. I want one of these when they ship...

OK, it's kinda like vapor-hardware, but might be out by x-mas
http://www.flipstartpc.com/

Slightly off topic I guess (as neither are hardened devices), but there are a couple of imminent bits of kit you might want to look at:

First up is the Flipstart by one of Paul Allen's spin-off companies. I haven't seen any physical models around at all, but it looks interesting - a full XP PC based around a Transmeta chip, with a very nice (on paper) 1024 x 600 screen, and an innovative external LCD display for notifications and MP3 controls. I'd really like this to see the light of day.

Second up is the OQO, which has been in vapour for a while, but hardware has been previewed at recent tech shows. Spec-wise it's similar to the Flipstart, being powered by a Transmeta, but has an innovative slide down keyboard arrangement.

Both look pretty interesting and will probably suit your needs to a degree, although as a first generation tablet PC user, I can say that the Transmeta chip isn't up to running a lot of apps at the same time that require a lot of horsepower. That's not to say it can't run apps, it just takes a while to fire up. Once it's running - say Photoshop - it's fine.

On a sidenote, I used a GSM card in my tablet for a while and it was awesome. Coupled with a Bluetooth card and the TC1000's built-in Wifi, it made the tablet incredibly versatile. I doubt that I'd move back to a standard laptop for size/weight/battery life reasons, so my next consideration is probably going to be a more powerful tablet, probably a TC1100. Although for ruggedised PC fans, HP are about to release the TC3000.

What is the expected battery life?

FlipStart features innovative software and hardware technology specifically designed to preserve battery life, which means you can be productive all day long.

With FlipStart, you get:
Two full days standby power
One full day operation in low-power mode

Which does go some way to explain the heavy use of the word Microsoft and their associated (tm)(r)(c) lettering in almost every page.

Information here.

I guess it does. From the FAQ, it seems easy to install your favorite software. Since this is an announced feature I think that if there should be any problems, FlipStart support will happily help you ;-)


How do I install my favorite software?
You can install software one of four ways:
1. Download the software from the Internet
2. Install the software from your home or office network
3. Attach FlipStart to the mini dock and install the software from the CD-ROM drive, and
4. Attach a USB drive.

Did you see that picture on their website? They took a rectangular box and snapped a picture of the short side in someone's hand. It's nice how the photo doesn't show that there's about 5 inches of plastic hanging over on the other side of that persons hand.

How'd they get that thing balanced that way??

this photo defies physics

What a bummer you couldn't find it...

Read the specs (again?) here,
it says: "USB 2.0 port"

Jk.

Look at the last item on the features page.

I searched and searched and couldnt find any indication that this thing has any firewire or usb 2.0 ports.