We have no aspiration to replace your PDA. A PDA is a device you put in your pocket and use for informmation retreival. The PaceBook is a full blown computer, use it either as a tablet, a notebook or a desktop!
We don't see it as a "geek-toy", we see it as the next generation of computers, something that will make computers more portable, easier to use and more robust than current tablets and notebooks (we don't call desktops for portables yet).
PaceBlade never made any claim ot be the first Tablet PC, we have seen about 30 or so from the first Grid came out back in 1988. The Qbe was too heavy, too slow, too short battery life and it was a tablet only. We designed the PaceBook to be used as whatever you want whereever you are: Use it as a notebook on a train, a desktop in the office and a tablet when you are in meeting or walk around. It's impossible for any tablet to take these three functions, that's why we created our concept with the 3IN1.
Sure, we can run Linux as well! We have a BBS for the Linux users out there, please go to www.pacebook.com and join the crowd!
At this moment we are working on the Menu application to work under Linux, most other stuff are ok already.
Per Lyngemark VP R&D PaceBlade
Re:No under-screen tablet? No thank you.
on
Pacebook Tablet PC
·
· Score: 1
For your information MS Tablet requires a special pen to use, called an electromagnetic pen. If you loose that pen you need to buy a new one, and you need to buy from the same company you bought the tablet from, there are currently 2-3 makers of these electromagnetic touchscreens and their pens cannot be used on competitors products... Bill Gates used the PaceBook back in February when he made a.NET speech, the reason why he didn't use their own, was that someone forgot the pen... The PaceBook can use any kind of stylus or a finger for touch, don't worry to loose the PaceBook stylus, your Palm stylus works just as good.
The Tablet XP edition has been delayed several timesn and it's very hard for anyone to really know when it will come out. Our product was ready and we had customers worldwide screaming for it, why should we let them wait another 6 months??? I think that Office XP handwriting is as good as the Tablet XP handwriting, I've tested both and get about 99% accuracy on both of them.
Yes, it's definetely encrypted, if you happen to have the same ID as someone else you will only see garbage characters on your screen. To set the ID is very easy, takes a couple of seconds. For more than 255 people in a room we will have a USB/IR keyboard coming up, simply plug in the cable and you are fine. We have many customers that use either one PaceBook with many keyboards (conference, whiteboard applications). One keyboard, many PaceBooks (testing, MIS, teachers).
I'm sorry for this misleading quote from our website. However we cannot control all kinds of peripherals and software out there, there are for instance USB devices that never passed any of MS certifications, these devices will cause blue screens on many computers, so goes for badly written software. We have done serious testing on tons of software, PC Cards, USB devices and so on, so far we never see any blue screen on any approved device. In fact under Windows XP I have yet to see a blue screen. I think the reason why we wrote this is that many people are worried to buy a tablet if there are no keys on it...
The PaceBook is a 3IN1 computer, it can be used as a notebook, Desktop and Tablet PC:
Notebooks are today too hot to put in laps, we don't call the PaceBook a laptop for this reason. And yes the current bag will be awkward to use on the lap. Look on your posture when you use a notebook on the lap! It's very bad posture, for this need we strongly recommend you to use the PaceBook as a Tablet.
Tablet PC: The version we gave to Anandtech didn't have the handwriting software yet, it's available end of this month from our website. As a tablet we also offer many carry devices for easier carrying, both leather versions and aluminium versions. These were not reviewed.
Desktop PC: Take a look on our website this coming week, we will put up our long awaited desktop stand, it will be the true solution for desktop useage. I know you will love it!
1. Handwriting is a free upgrade, available end of this month in beta and early next in production. 2. We can do up to 640MB of RAM, many of our customers use this configuration 3. We have two standard USB ports, one of them is round (but becomes standard with a dongle). This is one of the dtronger things on the PaceBook since the round USB is very easy to use, it doesn't have direction problem as the normal USB. We use this natively for 360degree cameras, FIR adapters, Bluetooth adapter. It's ideal for vertical markets that need to attach either a GPS or Barcode scanner very quickly, instead of fiddling around with the USB port. 4. VGA port is a drawback, there was simply no space for a standard VGA port, however most slim notebooks today, including Apple new iMAC all use proprietary connectors with a dongle. Sometimes space is precious. 5. SMI VGA is actually almost double the price compared to a GeForce desktop chip (so it's not cheap). It's not super-fast for 3D (which is not our aim for this version of the PaceBook (we hae others coming...) but it's got very low power consumption which is our number one concern, that with 8MB for DualView, DualApp etc. 6. Pivot and Menu works in Windows XP and 2000, it will not work in DOS, we are working on Linux drivers now, see our www.pacebook.com website for Linux support and drivers. 7. Anandtech got that a little wrong... 6-pin powered Firewire can only supply 1.2A, we need 2A for the DVD and CD-RW drives. We supply a 5V 2A on the power out. We got ONE cable for firewire and power, so it's in fact the worlds first portable computer with an external DVD that can be used in mobile environments (neither PC Card nor USB supply enough power, USB is not fast enough). MS tablets cannot use DVD more than in docking station. We also use the 5V DC out for port replicator, USB hub, and recharging of mobile phones!!! 8. Anykey will be used to switch handwriting on/off. For your information MS Tablet new requirements is a Ctrl+Alt+Del button on the unit... 9. Sure, TV Tuner is coming, but defienetly not integrated due to size, cost and weight. It will be a mobile accessory (with this we mean that you can use it while being mobile and not near a wall outlet as all other TV tuners). It will supply a consumer quality picture (means no jerky USB low quality stuff). It will be available early Q4 this year.
We appreciate your comments and you are more than welcome to talk directly to us in PaceBlade, we loe to satisfy people like you.
Actually the unit Anadtech reviewed was our standard unit, which is suitable as a Tablet, Desktop and a notebook. However many of our customers will mainly use it as a Tablet, for them we bundle IBM VIA voice or Dragon (depending on the customer and his market), handwriting is either provided by us or by MS, some customers bundle PenX. As a tablet we have two carry devices, one in leather for "normal people" and one in aluminium for vertical markets.
WiFi is not built in for the simple reason that 802.11b and 802.11a are not compatible to eachother. We see many of our customers complaining that 11b is too slow and they prefer to use 11a. Many others rather have a GSM, CDMA, PHA or other mobile card in; By using the PC Card slot we can satisfy all the users. We see the PC Card slot as mobile communication slot, since everything else is already built-in (1394, LAN, Modem, etc) Also the DVD player doesn't occupy the PC Card slot as other tablets or thin notebooks.
Don't worry, we patented many other things, the Any key is useful but not worthwhile of a patent.
With the handwriting recognition software coming up (see my other post) the any key will serve another function of toggling the handwriting/mouse function on/off. The biggest problem we have seen so far on other tablets is that toggling handwriting on/off is always a hassle, with this key it's very easy and quick.
By the time we shipped the unit to Anandtech our own handwritig recognition software was not yet ready, however we are pleased to inform that we are now Beta testing it to our customers. We will release an end-user beta by the end of this month and expect final code in early June.
We would love to bundle Office XP since it's handwriting is excellent, however the OEM bundle from MS doesn't include PowerPoint, which we think is vital for office productivity. Also if you buy the OEM version you cannot upgrade to PowerPoint, meaning that you need to pay for Office twice!!! We made the tough decision not to bundle Office XP for this reason, however the user manual is very detailed and shows how to enable the handwriting etc.
Assuming that you get 11MBps that is... which is impossible to get. I connected two notebooks with 802.11b and got a 45kb/s transfer rate, so the gif would give 1bout 1fps and your jpg about 0.2fps.
Laptops are now called Notebooks since they are too hot to keep on your lap.
The PaceBook is using the Transmeta 600Mhz 5600 CPU, which is cool enough not to use a fan! By not using a fan you don't need to worry about using it in a dirty environment, where normal notebooks have a big problem.
3-4 years ago when we designed notebooks we had the hot air from the mainboard to blow out from the notebook, but with the recent high power cosnuming P3's we need to take cold air from the outside to blow over the CPU, with the air we also take dust in the environment.
Since PaceBook doesn't require a cooling fan nor has it any ventilation holes dust is no longer an issue!
From your reply it seems that you are talking about WebPads, low function pads that only browse the Internet and are as functional as a calculator once you leave your accesspoint.
We are much more than a Webpad, we function as a Desktop, Notebook and Tablet PC with or without a wireless Internet connection.
The Clio is a WinCE device with a very complicated hinge. I don't know of the reliability of their hinge, but from my experience in "normal" hinges for notebooks, hinges break down. Also the Clio has got all the electronics stuffed under the keyboard, thus making in easy to break if you happen to spill on it.
Actually the carry bag is made of molded PU, which serves as a strong protector for impact (unlike normal notebook carry cases) and is strong enough to carry the PaceBook when used in Portrait mode on your lap.
Note taking is just one simple function you can do with the Pacebook, this is nothing we highlight, a legal paper can also do notetaking... We focus more on the usability like Office, Photoshop, GPS, Patient records in hospitals as well as thousands of other applications where normal notebooks and tablets cannot be used as easy as on the PaceBook.
We never claimed it to be the first Tablet PC, we see Tablet PC's as less functional than notebooks since they cannot be used out of the box, you need to train them before you can use them, notebook don't require this training time to be useful. Many people need to spend 2-4 months do be able to use a Tablet PC, this is usually too long for most people, this is one of the main reasons why Tablet PCs never got mainstream these past 6-7 years since the first Tablet PC came out.
If you could use your Tablet PC as a notebook and a Desktop daily and train it whenever you had time you would have a very powerful tool whereever you are, on the road, in the office, in your home or walking down the street.
Please visit our website for more information on the unique features of the innovative PaceBook.
Dear Slashdot readers,
I will try to comment on most of your questions in this reply, if there are still some unanswered ones please let me know and I will reply again.
1. We don't claim to be the first notebook nor the first Tablet PC, there are already thousands of notebooks in the market and nearly 30 Tablets. We are however the first Tablet/Notebook, which is a computer that can be used in your lap as a notebook or on the table as a Desktop PC, or used as a tablet while you are standing or walking. There are three parts: Keyboard, Tablet and carry bag. The keyboard is wireless to the tablet (consumer IR and not low-range IrDA). The bag is very essential since it makes the transition between tablet PC and Notebook.
There is no hinge that can break down, you don't need to worry about spilling over the keyboard, the touch sensor protects the expensive LCD from breakage, no ventilation holes nor fan for dust intake, etc...
2. We use Windows 2k/Me at this moment, we see the strong interest from the Linux community and we will do all efforts to port Linux on it, we will also set up a BBS where our Linux users can exchange information/drivers. If anyone has got better ideas please let us know.
3. The price of USD2000 is similar to a normal notebook computer with a 600MHz CPU, 128MB RAM, 20GB HDD. While a normal notebook will cause RSI (Repetitive Stress Injuries), easily break down (see 1 above).
4. We are much more than a Fujitsu or Qbe tablet PC. The Qbe and the Stylus 3000-series only run 1hr30min battery life, hardly practical for a unit designed for people walking around or standing up. We support 6hr or longer battery life in normal usage.
5. We see no relation to a PDA nor WebPad. PDAs are very small and fits in your pocket and contain your Address book and some otehr stuff. WebPads can only be used for Internet surfing (depending on their OS they support 40-80% of websites due to lack of JVM, Flash 5, Shockwave, Asian languages, RealAudio, RealPlayer, plug-ins, etc).
The PaceBook is as functional as a notebook, as functional as a Tablet and will serve as a Desktop replacement due to it's unique formfactor. We see it as six computers in one, while notebook is only one function!
If I left something out, please let me know.
We did some updates on the website to remove the "low powered CPU" error and added a sitemap to make the site easier to browse.
The PaceBook will be available worldwide in June-July.
Per Lyngemark
VP R&D PaceBlade
Slashdot Mirror
We have no aspiration to replace your PDA. A PDA is a device you put in your pocket and use for informmation retreival.
The PaceBook is a full blown computer, use it either as a tablet, a notebook or a desktop!
We don't see it as a "geek-toy", we see it as the next generation of computers, something that will make computers more portable, easier to use and more robust than current tablets and notebooks (we don't call desktops for portables yet).
Per Lyngemark
VP R&D PaceBlade
PaceBlade never made any claim ot be the first Tablet PC, we have seen about 30 or so from the first Grid came out back in 1988.
The Qbe was too heavy, too slow, too short battery life and it was a tablet only.
We designed the PaceBook to be used as whatever you want whereever you are:
Use it as a notebook on a train, a desktop in the office and a tablet when you are in meeting or walk around.
It's impossible for any tablet to take these three functions, that's why we created our concept with the 3IN1.
Per Lyngemark
VP R&D PaceBlade
Sure, we can run Linux as well!
We have a BBS for the Linux users out there, please go to www.pacebook.com and join the crowd!
At this moment we are working on the Menu application to work under Linux, most other stuff are ok already.
Per Lyngemark
VP R&D PaceBlade
For your information MS Tablet requires a special pen to use, called an electromagnetic pen. .NET speech, the reason why he didn't use their own, was that someone forgot the pen...
If you loose that pen you need to buy a new one, and you need to buy from the same company you bought the tablet from, there are currently 2-3 makers of these electromagnetic touchscreens and their pens cannot be used on competitors products...
Bill Gates used the PaceBook back in February when he made a
The PaceBook can use any kind of stylus or a finger for touch, don't worry to loose the PaceBook stylus, your Palm stylus works just as good.
Per Lyngemark
VP R&D PaceBlade
The Tablet XP edition has been delayed several timesn and it's very hard for anyone to really know when it will come out.
Our product was ready and we had customers worldwide screaming for it, why should we let them wait another 6 months???
I think that Office XP handwriting is as good as the Tablet XP handwriting, I've tested both and get about 99% accuracy on both of them.
Per Lyngemark
VP R&D PaceBlade
Yes, it's definetely encrypted, if you happen to have the same ID as someone else you will only see garbage characters on your screen.
To set the ID is very easy, takes a couple of seconds.
For more than 255 people in a room we will have a USB/IR keyboard coming up, simply plug in the cable and you are fine.
We have many customers that use either one PaceBook with many keyboards (conference, whiteboard applications). One keyboard, many PaceBooks (testing, MIS, teachers).
Per Lyngemark
VP R&D PaceBlade
I'm sorry for this misleading quote from our website.
However we cannot control all kinds of peripherals and software out there, there are for instance USB devices that never passed any of MS certifications, these devices will cause blue screens on many computers, so goes for badly written software.
We have done serious testing on tons of software, PC Cards, USB devices and so on, so far we never see any blue screen on any approved device. In fact under Windows XP I have yet to see a blue screen.
I think the reason why we wrote this is that many people are worried to buy a tablet if there are no keys on it...
Per Lyngemark
VP R&D PaceBlade
Well... let me explain a few things here:
The PaceBook is a 3IN1 computer, it can be used as a notebook, Desktop and Tablet PC:
Notebooks are today too hot to put in laps, we don't call the PaceBook a laptop for this reason. And yes the current bag will be awkward to use on the lap. Look on your posture when you use a notebook on the lap! It's very bad posture, for this need we strongly recommend you to use the PaceBook as a Tablet.
Tablet PC: The version we gave to Anandtech didn't have the handwriting software yet, it's available end of this month from our website. As a tablet we also offer many carry devices for easier carrying, both leather versions and aluminium versions. These were not reviewed.
Desktop PC: Take a look on our website this coming week, we will put up our long awaited desktop stand, it will be the true solution for desktop useage. I know you will love it!
Per Lyngemark
VP R&D PaceBlade
Let me try to replay all of your issues:
1. Handwriting is a free upgrade, available end of this month in beta and early next in production.
2. We can do up to 640MB of RAM, many of our customers use this configuration
3. We have two standard USB ports, one of them is round (but becomes standard with a dongle). This is one of the dtronger things on the PaceBook since the round USB is very easy to use, it doesn't have direction problem as the normal USB. We use this natively for 360degree cameras, FIR adapters, Bluetooth adapter. It's ideal for vertical markets that need to attach either a GPS or Barcode scanner very quickly, instead of fiddling around with the USB port.
4. VGA port is a drawback, there was simply no space for a standard VGA port, however most slim notebooks today, including Apple new iMAC all use proprietary connectors with a dongle. Sometimes space is precious.
5. SMI VGA is actually almost double the price compared to a GeForce desktop chip (so it's not cheap). It's not super-fast for 3D (which is not our aim for this version of the PaceBook (we hae others coming...) but it's got very low power consumption which is our number one concern, that with 8MB for DualView, DualApp etc.
6. Pivot and Menu works in Windows XP and 2000, it will not work in DOS, we are working on Linux drivers now, see our www.pacebook.com website for Linux support and drivers.
7. Anandtech got that a little wrong... 6-pin powered Firewire can only supply 1.2A, we need 2A for the DVD and CD-RW drives. We supply a 5V 2A on the power out. We got ONE cable for firewire and power, so it's in fact the worlds first portable computer with an external DVD that can be used in mobile environments (neither PC Card nor USB supply enough power, USB is not fast enough). MS tablets cannot use DVD more than in docking station. We also use the 5V DC out for port replicator, USB hub, and recharging of mobile phones!!!
8. Anykey will be used to switch handwriting on/off. For your information MS Tablet new requirements is a Ctrl+Alt+Del button on the unit...
9. Sure, TV Tuner is coming, but defienetly not integrated due to size, cost and weight. It will be a mobile accessory (with this we mean that you can use it while being mobile and not near a wall outlet as all other TV tuners). It will supply a consumer quality picture (means no jerky USB low quality stuff). It will be available early Q4 this year.
We appreciate your comments and you are more than welcome to talk directly to us in PaceBlade, we loe to satisfy people like you.
Regards,
Per Lyngemark
VP R&D PaceBlade
Actually the unit Anadtech reviewed was our standard unit, which is suitable as a Tablet, Desktop and a notebook.
However many of our customers will mainly use it as a Tablet, for them we bundle IBM VIA voice or Dragon (depending on the customer and his market), handwriting is either provided by us or by MS, some customers bundle PenX.
As a tablet we have two carry devices, one in leather for "normal people" and one in aluminium for vertical markets.
WiFi is not built in for the simple reason that 802.11b and 802.11a are not compatible to eachother. We see many of our customers complaining that 11b is too slow and they prefer to use 11a. Many others rather have a GSM, CDMA, PHA or other mobile card in;
By using the PC Card slot we can satisfy all the users. We see the PC Card slot as mobile communication slot, since everything else is already built-in (1394, LAN, Modem, etc) Also the DVD player doesn't occupy the PC Card slot as other tablets or thin notebooks.
Per Lyngemark
VP R&D PaceBlade
Don't worry, we patented many other things, the Any key is useful but not worthwhile of a patent.
With the handwriting recognition software coming up (see my other post) the any key will serve another function of toggling the handwriting/mouse function on/off. The biggest problem we have seen so far on other tablets is that toggling handwriting on/off is always a hassle, with this key it's very easy and quick.
Per Lyngemark
VP R&D PaceBlade
Dear Slashdot readers,
By the time we shipped the unit to Anandtech our own handwritig recognition software was not yet ready, however we are pleased to inform that we are now Beta testing it to our customers. We will release an end-user beta by the end of this month and expect final code in early June.
We would love to bundle Office XP since it's handwriting is excellent, however the OEM bundle from MS doesn't include PowerPoint, which we think is vital for office productivity. Also if you buy the OEM version you cannot upgrade to PowerPoint, meaning that you need to pay for Office twice!!!
We made the tough decision not to bundle Office XP for this reason, however the user manual is very detailed and shows how to enable the handwriting etc.
Per Lyngemark
VP R&D PaceBlade
Assuming that you get 11MBps that is... which is impossible to get.
I connected two notebooks with 802.11b and got a 45kb/s transfer rate, so the gif would give 1bout 1fps and your jpg about 0.2fps.
The PaceBook is using the Transmeta 600Mhz 5600 CPU, which is cool enough not to use a fan! By not using a fan you don't need to worry about using it in a dirty environment, where normal notebooks have a big problem.
3-4 years ago when we designed notebooks we had the hot air from the mainboard to blow out from the notebook, but with the recent high power cosnuming P3's we need to take cold air from the outside to blow over the CPU, with the air we also take dust in the environment.
Since PaceBook doesn't require a cooling fan nor has it any ventilation holes dust is no longer an issue!
From your reply it seems that you are talking about WebPads, low function pads that only browse the Internet and are as functional as a calculator once you leave your accesspoint.
We are much more than a Webpad, we function as a Desktop, Notebook and Tablet PC with or without a wireless Internet connection.
The Clio is a WinCE device with a very complicated hinge. I don't know of the reliability of their hinge, but from my experience in "normal" hinges for notebooks, hinges break down. Also the Clio has got all the electronics stuffed under the keyboard, thus making in easy to break if you happen to spill on it.
Actually the carry bag is made of molded PU, which serves as a strong protector for impact (unlike normal notebook carry cases) and is strong enough to carry the PaceBook when used in Portrait mode on your lap.
Note taking is just one simple function you can do with the Pacebook, this is nothing we highlight, a legal paper can also do notetaking... We focus more on the usability like Office, Photoshop, GPS, Patient records in hospitals as well as thousands of other applications where normal notebooks and tablets cannot be used as easy as on the PaceBook.
We never claimed it to be the first Tablet PC, we see Tablet PC's as less functional than notebooks since they cannot be used out of the box, you need to train them before you can use them, notebook don't require this training time to be useful. Many people need to spend 2-4 months do be able to use a Tablet PC, this is usually too long for most people, this is one of the main reasons why Tablet PCs never got mainstream these past 6-7 years since the first Tablet PC came out.
If you could use your Tablet PC as a notebook and a Desktop daily and train it whenever you had time you would have a very powerful tool whereever you are, on the road, in the office, in your home or walking down the street.
Please visit our website for more information on the unique features of the innovative PaceBook.
www.paceblade.com
Regards,
Per Lyngemark
VP R&D PaceBlade
Dear Slashdot readers, I will try to comment on most of your questions in this reply, if there are still some unanswered ones please let me know and I will reply again. 1. We don't claim to be the first notebook nor the first Tablet PC, there are already thousands of notebooks in the market and nearly 30 Tablets. We are however the first Tablet/Notebook, which is a computer that can be used in your lap as a notebook or on the table as a Desktop PC, or used as a tablet while you are standing or walking. There are three parts: Keyboard, Tablet and carry bag. The keyboard is wireless to the tablet (consumer IR and not low-range IrDA). The bag is very essential since it makes the transition between tablet PC and Notebook. There is no hinge that can break down, you don't need to worry about spilling over the keyboard, the touch sensor protects the expensive LCD from breakage, no ventilation holes nor fan for dust intake, etc... 2. We use Windows 2k/Me at this moment, we see the strong interest from the Linux community and we will do all efforts to port Linux on it, we will also set up a BBS where our Linux users can exchange information/drivers. If anyone has got better ideas please let us know. 3. The price of USD2000 is similar to a normal notebook computer with a 600MHz CPU, 128MB RAM, 20GB HDD. While a normal notebook will cause RSI (Repetitive Stress Injuries), easily break down (see 1 above). 4. We are much more than a Fujitsu or Qbe tablet PC. The Qbe and the Stylus 3000-series only run 1hr30min battery life, hardly practical for a unit designed for people walking around or standing up. We support 6hr or longer battery life in normal usage. 5. We see no relation to a PDA nor WebPad. PDAs are very small and fits in your pocket and contain your Address book and some otehr stuff. WebPads can only be used for Internet surfing (depending on their OS they support 40-80% of websites due to lack of JVM, Flash 5, Shockwave, Asian languages, RealAudio, RealPlayer, plug-ins, etc). The PaceBook is as functional as a notebook, as functional as a Tablet and will serve as a Desktop replacement due to it's unique formfactor. We see it as six computers in one, while notebook is only one function! If I left something out, please let me know. We did some updates on the website to remove the "low powered CPU" error and added a sitemap to make the site easier to browse. The PaceBook will be available worldwide in June-July. Per Lyngemark VP R&D PaceBlade