Umm... I thought the origami OS was produced my microsoft, but the oragmi was produced by another company. I don't see the use of making another product, just to use another OS. Why not just format the origami, and install a light linux dist? Damm small linux perhaps.
From that article:"The FutureAt CES in January 2006, Pepper announced the Pepper Pad Plus which will be available sometime in Q2 2006. The Plus has an improved battery which should last 60% longer, adds WiFi 802.11g (b will still be supported), upgrades hard disk capacity to 30 gigs and upgrades Bluetooth to 2.0. The Plus will include VoIP (finally, a use for that microphone!), Windows Media 9 support and multimedia streaming from UPnP devices. The software upgrades will be available as a download to existing Pepper Pad owners and Pepper will have an upgrade program for those who wish to upgrade their unit to the Plus. No price has been set for the hardware upgrade program but the software upgrade will be free. In fact, Pepper frequently releases free software updates that add new features (Mobipocket and Flickr support being recent examples), and has top notch support via phone, email and fast, personalized help on their forum at www.pepper.com/forums. I posted a few questions on their forum one weekend (not revealing who I was or that I was reviewing the unit for a publication) and received answers to my questions in less than an hour. These days, high tech support is often limited and out-source to India-- what a refreshing change to get immediate, knowledgeable support."<a class="user" href="http://www.mobiletechreview.com/Pepper-Pad.htm">http://www.mobiletechreview.com/Pepper-Pad.htm</a>
I also believe that the Origami ran a Tablet version, meaning it had handwriting recognition and all the other features that come with that...Pepperpad meanwhile has a touchscreen...anyone who's used a tablet knows theres a huge differenceAlso I'll take an ultramobile running a full OS that I dont have to recompile over a portable appliance anyday
Hi xaxxon, You said that I should not have given the Pepper Pad a 9/10. The rating at the end of an article is just the reviewer's opinion. IMHO, it is less important than the reviewer's observations. Mad Penguin software and hardware reviews are typically 5x longer than what you get in most other magazines. We like to think that we give the reader the information to judge whether or not our final conclusions are meritorious or not. You felt that there was a disconnect between my detailed analysis of the product and my conclusion. Fine. But the point is that you certainly had the information there to reach your own conclusions. That makes me feel good. That's why we write long reviews. So many product reviews are merely glowing rehashing of the product features. We tend to give you the good, the bad, and the ugly about products. So I will remember your criticisms next time I write a review, because similar criticism were made in the /. discussion. So you obviously do have a point. But IMHO, there is no disconnect between my conclusion (9/10) and my analysis. The bottom line is that I just personally LIKED the Pepper Pad despite its flaws. At the end of the day, if you just like something, you are willing to overlook its flaws and live with it as it is. I really liked the instant on / off feature. I also liked the touch pad. I like the ease with which the Pepper Pad found a wifi signal. The absence of DRM. The ability to get a command line. The ease of playing video. etc. For me, there were a lot of features to like about the Pepper Pad.
...thats exactly what I thought, USB1.1??? WTF were they thinking, all my USB drives, USB DVD burner, USB external HDD's, all relatively pointless. Thats the one big design flaw they made there, an extra what $1.99 to upgrade from 1.1 to 2.0 which would of added a value to the customer of at least $50 sounds like a BIG mistake to me. It's not like they have to pay any royalties to apple to get a firewire port, wtf are these people on, crack??!??!!!!!I would like to see a revision done with a purchase price at ~$400-$500 with 2-3 USB2.0 ports (mouse, keyboard, extra peripheral) and at least an optional RAM upgrade up to 1GB would be prime.
jacks0nMay 6, 2006
Umm... I thought the origami OS was produced my microsoft, but the oragmi was produced by another company. I don't see the use of making another product, just to use another OS. Why not just format the origami, and install a light linux dist? Damm small linux perhaps.
dayquilMay 8, 2006
That is one ugly son of a bitch.
dioscaidoMay 8, 2006
$800? You have to be kidding.
stmillerMay 8, 2006
From that article:"The FutureAt CES in January 2006, Pepper announced the Pepper Pad Plus which will be available sometime in Q2 2006. The Plus has an improved battery which should last 60% longer, adds WiFi 802.11g (b will still be supported), upgrades hard disk capacity to 30 gigs and upgrades Bluetooth to 2.0. The Plus will include VoIP (finally, a use for that microphone!), Windows Media 9 support and multimedia streaming from UPnP devices. The software upgrades will be available as a download to existing Pepper Pad owners and Pepper will have an upgrade program for those who wish to upgrade their unit to the Plus. No price has been set for the hardware upgrade program but the software upgrade will be free. In fact, Pepper frequently releases free software updates that add new features (Mobipocket and Flickr support being recent examples), and has top notch support via phone, email and fast, personalized help on their forum at www.pepper.com/forums. I posted a few questions on their forum one weekend (not revealing who I was or that I was reviewing the unit for a publication) and received answers to my questions in less than an hour. These days, high tech support is often limited and out-source to India-- what a refreshing change to get immediate, knowledgeable support."<a class="user" href="http://www.mobiletechreview.com/Pepper-Pad.htm">http://www.mobiletechreview.com/Pepper-Pad.htm</a>
freonchillMay 8, 2006
800x600 for web surfing - what is this 2000 ?
darthsnoopyMay 8, 2006
I also believe that the Origami ran a Tablet version, meaning it had handwriting recognition and all the other features that come with that...Pepperpad meanwhile has a touchscreen...anyone who's used a tablet knows theres a huge differenceAlso I'll take an ultramobile running a full OS that I dont have to recompile over a portable appliance anyday
einfeldtMay 9, 2006
Hi xaxxon, You said that I should not have given the Pepper Pad a 9/10. The rating at the end of an article is just the reviewer's opinion. IMHO, it is less important than the reviewer's observations. Mad Penguin software and hardware reviews are typically 5x longer than what you get in most other magazines. We like to think that we give the reader the information to judge whether or not our final conclusions are meritorious or not. You felt that there was a disconnect between my detailed analysis of the product and my conclusion. Fine. But the point is that you certainly had the information there to reach your own conclusions. That makes me feel good. That's why we write long reviews. So many product reviews are merely glowing rehashing of the product features. We tend to give you the good, the bad, and the ugly about products. So I will remember your criticisms next time I write a review, because similar criticism were made in the /. discussion. So you obviously do have a point. But IMHO, there is no disconnect between my conclusion (9/10) and my analysis. The bottom line is that I just personally LIKED the Pepper Pad despite its flaws. At the end of the day, if you just like something, you are willing to overlook its flaws and live with it as it is. I really liked the instant on / off feature. I also liked the touch pad. I like the ease with which the Pepper Pad found a wifi signal. The absence of DRM. The ability to get a command line. The ease of playing video. etc. For me, there were a lot of features to like about the Pepper Pad.
kuallaMay 9, 2006
...thats exactly what I thought, USB1.1??? WTF were they thinking, all my USB drives, USB DVD burner, USB external HDD's, all relatively pointless. Thats the one big design flaw they made there, an extra what $1.99 to upgrade from 1.1 to 2.0 which would of added a value to the customer of at least $50 sounds like a BIG mistake to me. It's not like they have to pay any royalties to apple to get a firewire port, wtf are these people on, crack??!??!!!!!I would like to see a revision done with a purchase price at ~$400-$500 with 2-3 USB2.0 ports (mouse, keyboard, extra peripheral) and at least an optional RAM upgrade up to 1GB would be prime.