I’m almost done with my coverage of the I.T. Show 2008 and I thought I’ve seen them all. I thought I already know what gadgets I want to have next, until I went to the booth of Trends Mobile, distributor of E-Ten Windows Mobile phones and Everun Raon UMPC.
Wow! Trends Mobile is also selling the WiBrain! My jaw dropped in disbelief because I never thought I’d see and use this device in person. It is indeed small like what I’ve seen in the pictures and videos posted by several UMPC reviewers. The first thing I did was to test its split thumboard. Not bad at all, if you ask me. I’m a bit slow in entering texts this way but it’s certainly doable. But like some reviewers of this unit, I also wished that the space bar key is found on both sides of the UMPC instead of just one on the left. Screen size is 4.8″ with 1024 x 600 resolution. I’m not sure if my eyes can take it but I’m sure other people will have eye strains after using it for a few hours.
In the video you see above, I compared the WiBrain side by side with the Everun Digital Raon. You’ll notice that the WiBrain is a bit longer than the Everun, due to the former’s split thumboard layout. Personally, I would prefer a split keyboard layout of the WiBrain because they’re bigger and easier to use. Design-wise, the Everun looks more appealing than the WiBrain, with the latter being squarish and geeky-looking. The Everun has a longer battery life and has an HSDPA add-on option while the WiBrain has a better processor and can play more video formats. It also has a 1.3 Megapixel camera that can be used for web video conferencing.
Why I like the WiBrain B1-E? There are 2 reasons:
1. Specs are similar to the OQO Model O2
As Kevin Tofel of jkOnTheRun mentioned in his review, the specs of the WiBrain are similar to the lowest-end model of the OQO O2. I lust for the OQO, but their prices are ridiculously high, and in my opinion the fantastic specs and features doesn’t help in justifying it. The 1.2 GHz Via processor on the WiBrain can last up to 3 hours. I consider that a plus point because my Kohjinsha which runs on an Intel A100 600 MHz processor can last up to 2 hours maximum.
2. True UMPC Size
Its dimensions are almost similar to the original UMPC concept. The Kohjinsha I’m using may be a UMPC, but not as small as the WiBrain or Everun. For years, I’ve been really wanting to have a small PC with a full-blown OS, and the WiBrain almost has those characteristics.
Oh boy! Could the WiBrain replace my Kohjinsha SH6 which has served me for more than 3 months?
