Vulcan FlipStart - First Thoughts

Michael Gartenberg | March 12, 2007, 04:03 PM

So the word is out and the Vulcan FlipStart is a reality. I've know about this for some time and have had the fun of working with one for a while. My unit has Pentium M 1.1 GHz chip with with 512 MB of RAM, and a 30GB HD, Windows XP SP2, and a web cam. My unit did not come with EVDO but I've worked with some of the devices that have it onboard. Shipping units will have it standard.

One super cool new feature on FlipStart is the InfoPane on the outside device. It works similar in concept to Sideshow features in Vista in that it can show Outlook information and has a little scroll wheel, similar to what you'd find on a Blackberry.

What separate the FlipStart from other players is that it's a clamshell device and not a touch screen. The plus is that the screen is protected well and doesn't need a special carrying case. For navigation, there's a touch pad as well as pointing stick style options. The key that I found when working with the FlipStart is the attention to detail. The balance on the unit is excellent, so typing while holding the unit works well and is comfortable. Likewise, there's a dedicated key to adjust zoom, which makes reading small text a lot easier on my 40 year old eyes as well as a backlit keyboard. Vulcan also includes software that makes is easy to glance at Outlook information and other tasks, making it possible for to get at critical information quickly without bringing up a specific application.

The main competition are going to be UMPC devices like the Samsung Q1 (although they lack integrated keyboards) and devices like the OQO Model 02 (which offers double the memory and disk space as options). None of them compete directly in my opinion, as those devices aren't clamshells and offer a somewhat different mode of operation.

I'm a big fan of little computers, they can meet a need that you just can't get using a traditional notebook or PDA or Smartphone. That doesn't mean that they're right for everyone (especially given these devices do carry a premium). Vulcan has done some amazing things here and is really driving the category forward with some major usability enhancements. If you're in the market for one of these ultra ultra portables, the FlipsStart should be on your short list.

Look for some more research from us this year on this rather interesting space that lives somewhere between smartphones and full sized laptops.

Update. The good folks at JK on the Run have a nice video review.