Interface looks extremely poo compared to a custom designed UI that the iPad has.

The only tablet of this sort which looks remotely interesting is the Asus EP121, as it essentially turns into a full-fledged laptop.

As it's essentially a Netbook, recofigure Win7 for max. speed, as you would with a netbook, and it'l get a lot snappier.
There's some guides in the Forums here. :D

The buttons will be too small though, that won't change unless a Win7 Tablet Edition is created (I thought that existed...?)

There are also various buttons dotted around the device, which turn the wireless on/off, adjust the volume and switch the webcam on/off.

Well that's at least preferable to softbuttons

Looks a bit thick.

The Experience Index is based on the spec with the lowest score, in this case being ofc the SSD with only 16 GB, this is nothing for Windows 7.

Maybe the OS should be tweaked with a patch so it knows its installed on a tablet and you dont need much space so the score in this device could be higher.

leaves me feeling "meh" compared to how it could be done.

I also feel that since this will be compared to a phone OS tablet, maybe we will see some Windows Phone 7 tablets in CES to make a proper comparison.

The Asus epad 121 so far is the only real alternative to the ipad.

Originally Posted by Krayzie_B.o.n.e.
The Asus epad 121 so far is the only real alternative to the ipad.

IF it comes out. It would've been great if they could have released it within a couple of months of the ipad, but if it comes out in spring, just before the ipad2, it might not be such an attractive purchase, especially at twice the price.

Cue Nexxo to remind us what a excellent bit of kit the iPad really is and thank MSI for giving us an example of why.

Originally Posted by Ph4ZeD
Interface looks extremely poo compared to a custom designed UI that the iPad has.

Programming language used is absolutelly awesome compared to the extreme poo that the iPad uses tho :D

also, it's their own fault for using Aero on that thing, turn it off and it responds a lot better... still think that they should use the ubuntu netbook edition on one of these tho, muuuch better

mmmm a big remote control :P

maybe another pop star will have 2 in his pants pockets and a pink laptop

Speed and Usability is king, this is what the Linux heads never could get. Apple will rule this market until someone comes out with something 3 times better and a lower price.

Originally Posted by Star*Dagger
Speed and Usability is king, this is what the Linux heads never could get. Apple will rule this market until someone comes out with something 3 times better and a lower price.

As you say, speed and usability are king! That's what Linux heads love.

Big distros like Ubunto are easy to use and play nice with most modern components, it's really getting quite easy run Linux. APT makes installing and uninstalling programs a breeze and the Gnome interface is quite intuitive. Compared to Win7 on Atom, it's also much faster and that speed also makes it more usable. The only challenge in this situation is that manufacturers aren't thinking with Linux in mind (perhaps because of deals with MS, as per the article) so they don't ship with default support and drivers for the unique hardware have to be hand made.

Originally Posted by steveo_mcg
Cue Nexxo to remind us what a excellent bit of kit the iPad really is and thank MSI for giving us an example of why.

Hi guys, may I remind you of-- ah, never mind.

Originally Posted by SaNdCrAwLeR
Programming language used is absolutelly awesome compared to the extreme poo that the iPad uses tho :D

And that makes a difference to the end user how?

but what about battery life? you will want at least a few day of usage (eg. 8 to 9 hours and hundreds of standby) before having to be tethered to the wall.

ah well, if its just a netbook with a touch interface I'll do to it what I do with netbooks.....Mod it by giving it 2gb ram and remove windows for linux. Should solve most problems

Originally Posted by javaman
ah well, if its just a netbook with a touch interface I'll do to it what I do with netbooks.....Mod it by giving it 2gb ram and remove windows for linux. Should solve most problems

Have you tried running linux on a touch-only laptop?

I am failing to see the point of a WEB cam on the backside of the pad, how is that gonna help with video calls? Have I missed something here?

I'd hoped Netbooks would be the breakthrough for Linux...
alas Microsoft stroke back swiftly.

And I have to say WinXP runs great on a netbook

Android x86 anyone??

2GB of memory and a dual-core should make it FLYYYY

WinXP: great on a netbook, TERRIBLE on a tablet!

It has a dual-core, doesn't it?

Originally Posted by Bindibadgi
Android x86 anyone??

2GB of memory and a dual-core should make it FLYYYY

WinXP: great on a netbook, TERRIBLE on a tablet!

+1
The only microsoft OS worth considering for a touch-only interface is win7, and that at a push.

yup but it seems this device is getting thumbs down just because of the choice of the OS. so what are we tuhmbing down here really? the device or the OS?

Sure Windows 7 (or any other desktop Windows) isn't made for touch but Windows 7 does support touch and multitouch natively and the redesign of the taskbar includes support for touch (like swipe up on the taskbar buttons to get at the jumplist menu, you can even try it with a regular mouse works the same - press and holde left mouse button on a taskbar item then drag upwards).

And as far as I could tell from the video there was no issue with selecting things from the start menu.
I've had issues with clicking on very small things on Android as well so you have to be careful where you push on the screen. At least with a resistive screen I can use my finger nail as a sort of stylus, on a capacitiv screen you are left with your big finger tip no stylus option for increased precision there.

so again: what are you guys dissatisfied with really?