UMPC Review: TabletKiosk i7210
Jeff Jones, Research Fellow
Writing any hardware or software review is always a little problematic. On one hand people rely
on them for purchasing decisions yet on the other they are simply one person's opinion. How
many times have you read a scathing movie review written by some self proclaimed "critic" only to
find later that you loved the film (I still don't understand why "Fast Times" was never even
nominated for an Oscar)?
That being said, many of you have written asking for more information on the different devices
DaVinci is designed to run on. To this point, a la mode's stand has been to provide you with the
best software tools in the industry but to allow you to make the decisions regarding your
hardware. We understand in this case that decision is made more difficult by the fact that most
retail vendors do not stock a variety of UMPC's, convertibles and tablet PC's. They may have
one or two on display but that's about it.
So how do you choose? These devices are not cheap and making the wrong purchase can cost
big $$$. Without making outright recommendations, we've decided to provide you with some
unbiased reviews of the "demo" devices we've personally been using over the last few months.
So here goes...
Mine is the TabletKiosk i7210. It's a UMPC or Ultra Mobile PC. It's sort of a cross between a
PDA and a Tablet PC. Bigger than a PDA and smaller than a tablet, it's about the size of a large
paperback. I think mine is an older model having been replaced by the sleeker and more feature
packed v7110. In short, I don't like mine very much. There I said it but read on. The issues I have with the
device may not apply or be important to you.
The problem I have is not in any way related to the TabletKiosk brand. It really has to do with the
formfactor itself meaning the overall design and function of all devices in this class. In short, I fail
to see their value. They cost as much as a convertible laptop and offer far fewer features. What
these devices bring to the table is their small size and inherent portability. I see them as the next
PDA…fun for a while but quickly loosing their appeal to professionals in the field trying to get the
job done.
Let me be more specific. I do like the portability. That's what it's all about with these units but
that portability comes with some pretty significant tradeoffs. This thing runs a full featured version
of Windows XP and in theory can do anything your laptop or desktop can do…in theory. Its lack
of expansion ports limits it's usefulness in the field. There is one USB port and an SD card
reader. In addition there are ports for headphones and a microphone. Where's the PC or
ExpressCard slot for my cellular broadband card? The i7210 does have built in WiFi but for that
I'll need a HotSpot. If I'm truly going to be mobile, I need to be able to use my broadband card in
the field for internet access. With this device, I can't do it. For me that's a deal breaker.
The single USB port is another problem (i.e. I can't connect both a portable keyboard and printer
at the same time although I think newer devices provide two ports). On the subject of the
keyboard, the UMPC design calls for the user to utilize the on-screen virtual keyboard or
handwriting recognition while in the field. This process works fine (with a little practice) on the
larger tablet PC's but not so well on the UMPC. The numbers and letters are so small, it's very
easy to hit the wrong thing. If you plan to use the device exclusively for field gathering, I would
recommend using your QuickLists and Recent Response drop downs as much as possible.
Avoid typing altogether. DaVinci is designed to limit your need to type while in the field so this
may not be such a big deal unless you plan to use other applications such a MS Word, Excel, etc.
that require the on-screen inputs.
The screen is a big problem for me as well. Its 7" measured diagonally and uses a native
resolution of 800x480. It's awful small for my 40 year old eyes however it is relatively easy to see
outside in all but direct sunlight. If you have a good prescription, you should be able to see your
forms. If not, you might consider getting one.
Battery life is OK. Its will last about 2 or 3 hours in the field with the WiFi cranked up and
probably longer if you turn that off. Also, the unit doesn't get as hot as I thought it would but the
fan is a little on the loud side. Overall build quality seems good and the unit comes with a
docking station that provides better expandability while at the office. You can even add an
external monitor, up to four USB devices and Ethernet and keep them attached to the docking
station. In that configuration, the i7210 could double as your desktop although that might be a bit
of a stretch. If you are even considering that option, make sure you have a bulletproof backup
plan in place as these devices are subject to all the rigors of the field and therefore sometimes
end up damaged, lost or stolen.
I think you get the point. Take this type of device for what it is…basically a big PDA. The screen
is about twice the size of my old Dell Axiom and it does have a USB port and runs the full version
of Windows but that's about the extent of the differences. Oh and it cost $1000 plus dollars. The
argument that, unlike a PDA, this device could double as you desktop PC when used with the
docking station just doesn't hold water with me. I don't think any reasonable person would use it
in this manner. It would help tremendously, if a manufacturer could find a way to add support for
my broadband card and give me a least 2 USB ports. It wouldn't make up for the small screen
but that just comes with the package. For my money, I'll take the Tablet PC or convertible laptop.
Sure they are bigger but the trade off's for the portability of the UMPC just aren't worth it to me.
In summary, the small screen and lack of PC card support would send me shopping for a tablet
PC or convertible laptop. If you have good eyes and you don't mind looking for a Hot Spot for
internet access, the UMPC just might work for you.
