Viliv S5 UMPC vs. Viliv X70- Which One For You?
A question I keep getting asked since my coverage has ramped up of the Viliv S5 UMPC I am using has to do with a future product by Viliv. The Viliv X70 UMPC will be released later this year, according to the information I have, and while it’s often risky to talk about unreleased products, I feel I should touch on it briefly.
Viliv has done a very good job with the S5, no question. The build quality is outstanding for the price of the handheld PC, and that has already garnered them a good reputation for the UMPC. I am hearing from many folks who have purchased and received the S5. The attention to detail that Viliv has put into the S5 impresses everyone who gets one, based on this correspondence. This fast-growing reputation has gotten many to consider the upcoming X70, and I am asked a lot if I would recommend the X70 over the S5.
This question has no proper answer for several reasons. First, the X70 is not available yet, so it’s impossible to recommend it as it is still somewhat an unknown. Secondly, it is a totally different beast. The X70 will have a 7-inch screen, making it more of a slate-type of computer as opposed to the purely handheld nature of the S5 with the 4.8-inch screen. They are totally different devices as far as size goes, and that will make a difference to many for field use. Lastly, a big reason the S5 has been so well-received by consumers is due to the relatively low price for a handheld computer. The X70 almost certainly has to be priced higher than the S5 as it’s a bigger device, and until the price is fixed, it’s hard to make a call in this regard.
The X70 looks to be a thin, smaller version of the 7-inch Samsung Q1, which has been a very popular line of devices. Kevin still has one, and it must be his third or fourth one. The X70 is expected to have the same hardware components (Atom processor and SSD/ HDD) like the S5, so the form factor is the primary difference. Some folks will prefer the larger 7-inch screen and others the handheld nature of the S5. It depends on expected usage, as is usually the case with mobile gadgets.
I suspect that, ultimately, the reception of the X70 will come down largely to price. The S5 has a good price point for such a capable mobile computer, and if the x70 can come in near the same price I think it will be well-received, too. Let’s hope Viliv can bring this baby in as cheaply as possible.
Meh the x70 just looks wierd, it has some wierd flat side thing on the left side of in the picture, it even looks well… sorta cheaply made compares to how the s5 looks
Good points there James. I’m hoping the X70 will be similar to how 13, 15, and 17″ notebooks are priced. Not much of a difference at all except maybe a few bucks. Meaning a 17″ notebook buyer isn’t going to buy a 13″ notebook to save a few bucks.
I’m hoping Viliv let’s people decide on the two devices based on their needs and not based on what they can afford.
Are we seeing the resurgence of the UMPC I wonder? I always felt it was price that held them back initially.
On a side note, I got a copy of Garmin Mobile PC delivered yesterday, loaded it up today and took it for a test drive. Works very well on the S5, very good satellite signals. Even had a weak, but locked on signal indoors.
Hi
How did you set up Garmin Mobile PC on S5? What Baud rate did you use on the COM1 port? Appreciate any help with installation.
For the sake of the argument, price has nothing to do with this question.
5″ is the overly sized brother of the 4″ (4.x”) which is a true pocketable MID. Still though the Viliv 5 is pocketable enough to drop into that category.
7″ on the other side and any UMPC at that size will always remain a niche category, not pocketable and not big enough for real work as 10″ netbooks.
So even if it will be sold for the same price, I doubt people will buy it – UMPCs are for geeks a.k.a. professionals. My wife will either choose something that can get into her narrow coat or a netbook.
Tal
The Viliv X70 is not really that thin as you can see in this video.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/18/viliv-s5-and-x70-mids-hands-on-with-video/
Additionally, if you have come from a Q1 Ultra premium to this, you will definitely notice the performance loss gong from a Core Solo to the Atom.
I’m not saying there isn’t a audience because if not for those two things, the fact that it has 1GB RAM and not two and not nowing what the screen is like outdoors, I’d want it too.
diJenerate
if all things are created equal, it looks like you would just be trading a slightly lower PPI (making things more readable) for no longer being pocketable.
for me the X70 seems more suitable. I can only imagine quick browsing on the go with a 4.8″ screen, and for that use my iphone performs reasonably well. Even a 7″ screen might be a bit small, but I can at least imagine using the X70 for an hour or so as a bedside tablet or coffee table function. of course Slingplayer is a MUST for me so that tends to limit my choices…
I live in Korea and have the X70 vant navigation device in my car. The X70 Atom most likely will be the same casing. (as Viliv S5 is the same case as the S5 Vant navigation) It is a well made product. It will probably come down to which size will be most useful for you.
After looking at the specs on Viliv’s website it looks like the x70 will be similar to Samsung’s Q1 Ultra. It has a webcam and SD slot. So that means it will most likely have a mic too. For me I’d take the X70 over the Q1 Ultra Premium since I’d rather have a Hyperthreaded cpu that’s low voltage and that can play HD video AND last over 6hrs (and GPS is a bonus).
Let’s hope it’s not much more than the S5….
Could you tell us what the price difference is between the current Korean S5 and X70 models?
Any idea as to when we can expect the x70?
Had my first play with the S5 this week. It booted in 30 seconds flat which I am really impressed about. Did it along side the Samsung Q1U with the Atom 800Mhz, which was not even up to GUI mode by then…
What makes the Q1U very useful to me is the 5 hour battery life. I am really limited by the lack of effective HSDPA options though.
If the X70 can match the S5 Premium Air in performance (which it logically will) then they’ve got me! I will certainly be ordering an S5, and hopefully an X70 too!
RE: dijenerate says
The Viliv X70 is not really that thin as you can see in this video.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/18/viliv-s5-and-x70-mids-hands-on-with-video/
That is the S5
the x70 pwns you all >:O
Anyone know if this has any tablet capability? The X70 might be nice for note taking in meetings etc.
No it doesn’t have inking as it lacks the Tablet Edition of WinXP. The resistive digitizer used is not appropriate for inking in any event.
I bought it with 128Gb SSD,3G for only $425. New in the box at: http://www.digital-trading-center.com/ Just enter the code part number: 411001011402 You’ll see. It’s low price, because they order direcly from the manufacture and they sells 7 days a week! You can comunicate in 4 languages by mesenger also, ship by UPS, DHL, EMS. They give tracking number and ship 1 day after payment done.
? has anyone bought from digital-trading-center before. prices seemed to be too good to be true. Therefore unsure it is genuine.
C
“If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably isn’t”. Take a look at this:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090714134615AAEkucI
I bought the Viliv X70 Until they received the payment of Bank transfer of 325 Euros, they chatted very polite with me…the day received the Payment, they told me, you did not paid enough, it miss 84 Euros. I sent the mesenger conversation at mesenger, they told me it’s a mistake from the seller! They ask me to pay more! And THEY NEVER responded to emails, nor at mesenger ! I will go to my bank to ask for a refund. I sent that i will report them, they never answered… They died to eat to much with my money or a terrible earthquake made them too afraid to write. Lol! The bank will have the task to do! Don’t send money there, they will eat too much!