Breaking news: ASUSTek unveils the R2H UMPC
Several months after initially announcing and then showing the device, the Asus R2H UMPC is unveiled via a company press release. Let’s recap the official specs of this Origami platform UMPC:
- Intel® Celeron® M ULV Processor (900MHz)
- Genuine Windows® XP Tablet PC Edition
- Onboard 256MB, DDRII 533, 1x SoDimm socket for expansion up to 768MB DDRII 667 DRAM support
- 7" WXGA touch screen LCD, ASUS Splendid Video Intelligent Engine
- PATA 1.8" HDD 4200PRM 20/30/40/60 GB
- Bluetooth® V2.0 + EDR, 3x USB, 1x SD Card-Reader, 1x GPS, 1x Finger Print Reader
- 23.4 x 13.3 x 2.8cm, 830kg
Folks who were hoping for a different processor, say a Pentium M are out of luck. Even more surprising and disappointing in my opinion is the base unit of 256 MB of memory (I’m not a fan of running Tablet Edition XP on less than 512) and upgradable only to 768 MB; a poor limitation considering the other UMPCs on the market are available with 1 GB out of the box or via a DIY upgrade.
Yes, you get a fingerprint reader, GPS, webcam and an SD slot, but I still think some folks will be slightly disappointed. Interestingly enough, there’s no mention of price in the official PR, which you can read here.
Update: with 256 MB of RAM on-board, it looks like the expansion slot of up to 768 MB does provide a combined 1 GB of memory. Sounds like a single expansion slot, so 768 MB might be the maximum. Thanks Frank!
-kct
Well, for an additional $38, you can get it to 768MB easily. (See http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820218095 as an example.)
So, if it’s still at it’s original price point of $700, that’s still less than half the price of my UX180P, and I would have considered to wait for it. Mind you, the UX180P doesn’t have GPS (which I’m starting to see if a great feature to have), and is maxed out at 512MB, unless the brilliant minds at Pocket PC Techs or some other place can perform 1GB memory upgrade surgery on it.
What a terrible press release. No mention of when the UMPC will be actually available, no pricing info, nothing. I’ll bet it will be about $1200 retail, since it’s basically a Samsung Q1 with GPS added.
Well no i am glad i got the samsung q1 early rather than wait for this!!
Excuse me guys but I do not see any way you can get 1 GB or RAM in these devices. Check what I said here:
http://ultramobilepc-tips.blogspot.com/2006/08/asus-press-release.html
Frank, you’re correct; the PR is fuzzy at best, but it looks as though you can only go to 768 MB with a 512 MB SoDIMM.
I can’t wait till this device is out in the wild. It looks nice, has good features, and is made by a high quality company. Too bad I already have a Q1.
James, the feature list in the press release also left out the built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam. The camera lens is visible just to the right of the “ASUS” logo on the top-front of the unit.
Navigadget caught the typo! The R2H apparently weighs 830 kilos.
http://www.navigadget.com/index.php/2006/08/25/asus-r2h-umpc-weighs-830kilos/
That’s with the optional 4,267-cell battery with the 4 year life.
Anyone else notice that the LCD is WXGA (1280 x 768)? Either this is a typo or I may seriously consider picking one up.
it looks like they sacrificed critical elements (CPU, RAM) for fancy extra’s, that is if they are striving for a similar price point.
if tha WXGA screen turns out to be true then that could push it up over the top. upgrading to 768MB is very cheap & Celeron is fine (just less cache/no speedstep in comparison to it’s big brother).
I am wondering if this device comes with VGA-out capabilities. The Tabletkiosk eo does not (only via the cradle) which to me is a big deal-breaker, as I see one of my key requirements is making presentations (and use for teaching).
As a general question: what UMPC does have VGA-out capabilities (even if its through a dongle ala Sony UX and OQO)?
Fernanado, the Samsung Q1 has a VGA-out port on the right side of the device. There’s a protective, removable cover on it, much like the cover on the LAN port. I’ve used it to output the Q1 to another monitor at a much higher res and it works fine. Also nice to have a second shared monitor for the small screen to expand your desktop.
James, the more I look at the R2H’s specs currently on the ASUS website, the more I wonder if there’s more to the memory story. Why do I think this? The “specs” leave out mention of the built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam, don’t mention wireless support (although other parts of the webpage do), leaves out the network connector and the video connector, as well as incorrectly sets the weight at a hefty 830 kilograms, rather than 830 grams (1.8lbs). Makes me wonder about the accuracy of the memory spec too–particularly because earlier reports (at CeBit, for instance–yes, admittedly old) suggested that the R2H would be upgradable to 1GB. Maybe there will be versions of the R2H with different features?
Yes, I was missing the pricing and approx. release date also. If that information is not ready to be shared with us then why bother with the press release? Is this a fishing trip to check how many people will read this memo to decide if there is enough interest? I’m afraid we will be disappointed with the device as well as with this memo. What do you expect from a company that does a press release with 3 spelling errors in it. Not even to mention the the 830Kg. Don’t they even bother to proof-read a global press release?
If that WXGA spec is accurate then this UMPC is the one to beat, if the hardware can handle the additional resolution.
Doh! I mean 1.8kg, not 830g. LOL.
What am I thinking this morning…830g _is_ 1.8lbs, which would be the correct weight of the R2H. My full-size Tablet is more like 1.8kg. Forgive me, I was up all night coding.