FlipStart 1.0

Halfway between a handheld and an ultraportable notebook, the FlipStart 1.0 ($1,999 as tested) isn't your typical Ultra-Mobile PC. Unlike competing models, this relatively chunky 1.8-pound device sports a clamshell design and a unique external screen that lets users check their calendars, contacts, and e-mail while the lid is closed. An internal webcam, EV-DO wireless broadband, and a relatively fast Pentium M processor make the FlipStart a compelling option for highly mobile workers.
 
To call a 1.8-pound PC heavy seems a bit unfair when the lightest ultraportable notebooks these days weigh a pound more, but the matte blue FlipStart is certainly the beefiest machine in its class. (View Photo Gallery.) It weighs 0.6 pounds more than the Sony VAIO UX and 0.8 pounds more than the OQO model 02. More noticeable is the FlipStart's bulk; unlike the OQO, it's too big to slip into a coat pocket with the extended-life battery inserted. It measures about 1.6 inches thick (with battery), compared with a mere one inch for the OQO. The main benefit to this extra girth is the clamshell design. You don't have to worry about accidentally scratching the 5.6-inch screen, which is bigger than the OQO's and UX's.

FlipStart makes the most of its larger footprint in other ways. For one, the tactile keyboard is quite spacious, making it easy to type with your thumbs (while standing) or index fingers (while sitting). There's also a row of dedicated number keys, and the whole layout is backlit. However, the layout is so spread out that it's a challenge to enter text quickly.
 
There's also enough room for two pointing devices: a touchstick and a little touchpad. We preferred the latter, as the touchstick was a bit stiff. The left and right mouse buttons are on the left side of the device, along with a directional pad-good for controlling the cursor within a Word doc or e-mail, for example. Some mobile users may lament the lack of a touchscreen, but we didn't have any problems navigating.

ZOOM IN 
Even though the SVGA screen is relatively generous, viewing text on documents and Web pages can strain the eyes quickly, especially when the FlipStart is on a table or desk. That's where the device's intelligent zooming capability comes in. Using a dedicated zoom button on the bottom of the keyboard in combination with a jog dial on the right side of the device, we could easily zoom in on CNN.com to check the latest headlines. Text remained surprisingly legible at every zoom level (nine in all). You can also use the jog dial for scrolling and selecting items by pressing it in. The only caveat is that it was sometimes difficult to close windows while in zooming mode.
 
This mini PC is chock-full of other convenient features, starting with the external InfoPane. This 1.9-inch display, which also works in tandem with the jog dial, provides quick access to your e-mail, calendar, and contacts via Outlook. An escape button next to the dial allows you to back out of menus. When the lid is open, a press of a button launches the FlipStart Navigator menu, which was designed to provide shortcuts to the same Outlook info, as well as Web favorites and specific files. The Jog Dial comes in handy here, as well. (We'd like to see FlipStart add support for RSS feeds to this menu, which is certainly possible since the company is making a Software Developers Kit available.)
 
Last but not least is the FlipStart Control Center, accessible by clicking an icon in the system tray. Within this app you can customize the Navigator menu with additional shortcuts, turn wireless connections (Wi-Fi, cellular, Bluetooth) on and off, and select power profiles to save on battery life. You can also tweak several other types of settings. All of these amenities go a long way toward making the FlipStart easy to use and possibly eliminating the need for carrying a separate smart phone.

TESTING THE FLIPSTART 
For a handheld PC, the FlipStart packs a pretty good productivity punch. Its 1.1-GHz Intel Pentium M Processor delivered a MobileMark score of 146, which is more than twice that of the VIA-enabled OQO model 02. On the other hand, the newer Intel Core Solo CPU inside the Sony UX is faster. Battery life was pretty good with the extended battery, as the FlipStart lasted 3 hours and 41 minutes--that's 20 minutes less than the class-leading OQO.
 
FlipStart skimps on a couple of key specs. The 30GB hard drive is a little small when compared with the UX's 40GB drive and the OQO's 60GB drive storage. And we wish the device came with 1GB of RAM instead of 512MB, especially for Vista configurations. Note that you can't upgrade the RAM or the hard drive. A single USB port adorns the back of the device for expansion.
 
The FlipStart beats the competition when it comes to its mobile broadband connectivity, however. (The carrier will be announced shortly.) The device downloaded a 5.6MB file in only 45 seconds, which works out to 1 Mbps. Its 256Kbps upload speed was even more impressive, two times faster than the OQO model 02. Wi-Fi performance was uneven, with the unit averaging 16 Mbps from 15 feet but only 4.5 Mbps from 50 feet.
 
On the multimedia front, the FlipStart satisfies as an audio and video playback device, thanks to two sets of multimedia controls, one located underneath the keyboard (including volume controls) and a trio of buttons (play/pause, rewind, fast-forward) located on the right side of the lid. The tiny mono speaker located above the touchstick produced a respectable amount of volume. We also enjoyed watching several YouTube videos (over EV-DO and Wi-Fi) on the crisp 5.6-inch display.
 
Another perk is the integrated VGA camera, which we tested with Yahoo Instant Messenger. It delivered a crisp picture with accurate colors, but the location of the camera--beneath the display--means viewers will be looking up at you instead of straight on unless you hold the device while chatting. The camera takes low-quality still shots, but FlipStart says you will be able to plug a higher-res camera (and other peripherals under development) into the device's proprietary expansion connector, located underneath a sliding door on the lid.
 
If you want to connect the FlipStart to a full-sized keyboard and monitor, just use the included port replicator, which comes with a VGA output, two USB 2.0 ports, an audio output, and an Ethernet port. Unlike competing devices, this accessory is portable enough to easily stash in your carry-on.
 
In general, we recommend a more traditional ultraportable notebook for the money, but FlipStart has delivered one of the most well-rounded handheld PCs yet. It's comfortable to use, and the device provides instant access to the most important information you'll need when you're on the go. We prefer the sleeker design of the OQO model 02, but if you want the flexibility and durability of a clamshell design and faster performance, the FlipStart is a serious contender.

Related Content:

Read: Exclusive FlipStart Q&A
View:  FlipStart 1.0 Photo Gallery