The Flybook V5 is a 8.9″, 2.84lb, convertible tablet pc from Dialogue Technology Corp, a Taiwanese firm. My particular Flybook V5 is a 1.2Ghz Core Duo (Intel U2500) with 2GB of RAM and a 80GB hard disk. However, the latest systems are now coming with the 1.2Ghz Intel® Core 2 Duo® ULV U7600 and up to 4GB of RAM. The system provides for use on a wireless HSDPA network (AT&T in these parts) by inserting a SIM into a slot in the battery compartment. The screen is a passive digitizer (you can use your finger). It comes with a 1.3 megapixel camera and a fingerprint reader. You can get it with Windows XP or Vista Business (I ordered it with Vista).
If you missed them, you may want to go back and read my September ’07 posts: ”Why do I want a Flybook V5” and “All the Information I can find” for more information. After over four months of use, I circled back and did a Why the Flybook V5 is a great machine for the Business Person post.
If you are a current Flybook Owner, I’d love to hear from you – check out the “Any other Flybook Owners Out there” post.
As of February 4th, 2008, I’ve written 80 posts since I received the unit in October. My early ones talk more about initial impressions and hands-on experiences as well as details on getting connected with an AT&T SIM card, loading software, etc. Click on the “October” link under Archives in the right pane.
Here are the specs as I purchased the unit (back in October ’07) from FlybookUS.com (again, the later shipping models have improved specs):
Price: $3100.00 + $175 shipping
They billed 1/2 of the total (order + shipping) when I ordered the unit and the other half when it shipped (you have to call in order to do this – ordering on line will bill it all at that time).
hi, I would ask you which kind of ram I must search to upgrade my new V5 with 2gb of Ram
Thank you advance
I don’t know the answer to that… Flybook upgraded my RAM when it was in for maintenance. Anyone else know the answer?
Hi, i`m interesting in buying a V5 and found your blog as the best info base. So maybe you can answer me two questions: first in the owner manual http://www.flybook.com/downloads/V5%20Manual/FlyBook_V5_User_Manual_en_2_1.pdf
is the information, that in tablet mode wlan and wwan are disabled. Is there a way to enable both in tablet mode?
Located in Europe and owner of an OQO 01+ i know what it means to have no local support. Can you tell me if the international supporter are working well and still some years longer for the product?
Best regards
B. Walker
I apologize for the slow response.
As far as I am aware, the “no wlan and wwan in tablet mode” was a requirement by the U.S. Government and did not affect anyone outside of the U.S. Even that, I believe, was eventually fixed (mine, which has all driver updates, works fine in tablet mode).
I do not know what is happening with the Dialogue… if you look at their website (http://www.dialogue.com.tw ) it has not been updated in a LONG time (the latest News posted was June of 2008).
I am still using my V5 and even after almost three years, it is stilling working for me.
No reason for apologize cause i`m not living in the realtime zone
Until now i`m working with the OQO 01+ and the U820.
Have a look at http://timelockin.wordpress.com/2009/07/21/hermann_prey/
But getting older my eyes are needing a little more inch on screen. And the V5 looks like a good choice.
Can you tell me a cost rating for a second hand V5?
And your opinion about the power of the Core Duo?
Thanks a lot
Cool stuff you are doing! Unfortunately, I don’t have any info for you regarding prices of used V5s. As to Core Duo – mine seems very responsive, but I’m not doing anything very graphic with it. The graphics is the lowest number of the Windows Experience Index.
Thanks for your feedback.
A last question for this time
My OQO and the U820 have trouble while playing HD-Videos.
Is the graphic on the V5 strong enough to handle this?
Thanks a lot for your support
And if you will see more of my work:
http://timelock.in/index.html
and
http://vimeo.com/timelock/videos
Best regards
Just today taken delivery of my secondhand V5 from a chap on ebay UK to complement the V33i I’ve used for a few years. First impressions are great, and I’m so pleased I opted for this rather than a netbook. Still love the form factor and the wierd mouse position is now second nature! It’s the older U2500 version with 2 gig ram and Windows 7 seems to behaving impeccably (at least in the 4 hours since my early Xmas present to myself arrived.
Tony