HOT! Sonic Blue PROGEAR Wireless TabletPC - $599

[SteveNYC]

One other thing I want to mention BUT DO NOT HOLD ME TO THIS.

I spoke with one of the guys who was selling the used Linux ProGears on EBay and he gave me the e-mail for a guy who will provide the upgrade to go from Linux to Windows 98 for $50. Interestingly enough, that's the same price that SonicBlue will charge for reinstalling the system if someone returns a unit to them that they've screwed up.

Anyway, the reason I mention this is that when I look at the SonicBlue website now, it lists the Windows version as out of stock. Personally, this means nothing to me as I bought mine when it was listed out of stock two days ago. But the Linux version is listed as IN STOCK.

Who knows, maybe this thing is totally sold out. I don't know. But it's a thought if someone wants to try buying a Linux version and convert it to a Windows 98 unit.

But like I said, this is what I know from an e-mail conversation I had with a seller, I haven't done this myself. There may be a BIOS upgrade issue involved as well and I don't know if he'll do that but I would have to think so.

Like I said, don't hold me to this one.

PM me and I will give the e-mail address to anyone who wants it. In fact, I'll just copy the e-mail so you know the context that it was sent in. Personally, I think this is 100% legit and I'll explain to anyone who PMs me. I just don't want to put the e-mail out publicly and annoy the hell out of the guy (or girl as the case may be).

Hope it helps those interested.

 

[MrEnigma]

Hmmm..you guys a fan of the Digital River commerce system?

The out of stock indicator is supposed to be updated daily, but who knows if it is or not. I actually work for DR (shh). I can check stock if you want....you could pm me with your order number if you wanted...

 

[bsobel]

This is DAMM tesmpting.... Sigh. I've been holding out for a Mira device, any suggestions from folks if that is indeed a good idea?
Bill

 

[SteveNYC]

I wonder the same thing myself. The Mira devices look promising. An article a few days ago talked about prices...

"Mira devices are slated to go on sale this holiday season in the United States and Japan, said Wu. Prices are expected to range between $500 and $800, depending on the bundle and LCD panel size, which will be determined by the manufacturer. " - News.com 6/5/02

$800 is sweet. But the devil is in the details.....screen size.....battery life....

But the ProGear is here today, does what I need, and is at the right price.

I'm sure I'll waste more money on one of them in another year as well.

Sigh.....

 

[sygyzy]

How are you guys using these devices? I assume since they have wireless, you can only network them like any other computer. That is, access shared files and devices on the network. Simple.

But then many of you are referring to remote desktop, application sharing, etc. What are you using to accomplish this? I could only find limited information on the Mira and that uses XP's remote desktop, not an option for the PROGEAR. Can someone clue me in?

 

[captaindrewle]

arrrg! This is so tempting.. I've been wanting to try one of these out since I found out about them 1.5 years ago.

For anyone who has already received their unti: How functional is the on-screen keyboard?

-Cpt'n

 

[SteveNYC]

Syqyzy,

Well, for damn sure I'm no expert on this, but I think you might be looking at this the wrong way.

Remote Desktop in XP and programs like Citrix can be run on the ProGear because the ProGear simply acts as a client. All the processing is being done on the backend server, in this case typically, it would be your home computer. The ProGear just displays what your backend system is doing.

With a system like Remote Desktop or Citrix, you can use your ProGear to be a portable (as far as 802.11b will take you) version of your desktop. If you have XP Pro installed and you enable Remote Desktop, all you have to do is download and install the free client software from Microsoft (it's also on the install CD). Citrix is the same way (though the server software is expensive).

Since all the processing is being done by a faster, more powerful computer (hopefully), your biggest effort is to have sufficient bandwidth (which 802.11b is more than able to handle).

Though my explanation is simplistic, that is generally how it works.

Ok, people, start correcting me here!

 

[sygyzy]

Okay that makes sense. So say with the Progear, you don't have XP installed, so what do you do? And Citrix is expensive and probably does not come with it. What did Sonic Blue people expect the buyers to do with the Progear besides pirate Citrix? No so plug and play now right?

 

[MISMan]

Just remember guys, this is not a Tablet PC. While it is a touch screen unit, they have 'hacked' 98 to do this. The only native Tablet OS will be Windows XP Pro Tablet PC Edition

 

[SteveNYC]

Sygyzy,

Ok, maybe I am misunderstanding you or you are misunderstanding me. But here is how I understand it to work.

My home computer has Windows XP Pro installed on it. I can enable the remote desktop feature within XP on my home computer.

Using the standard ProGear 1060 SE that has Windows 98 installed on it, I install the free client software from Microsoft onto the ProGear (the client software will work on any computer that has Windows 95 or better).

The ProGear can now "run" my home PC. It's not that different, in very general terms, from pcAnywhere (if you're familiar with that) or Citrix. Each has certain features, performance characteristics, security issues and cost matters. But their overall purpose is similar.

If, on the other hand, you don't have Windows XP Pro installed on your home pc and you don't have Citrix and you don't have pcAnywhere (or something similar), then you cannot do remote desktop type of work.

 

[sygyzy]

I am well aware of remote desktops but many people aren't. So for the majority of people who probably don't want to pay for Citrix and don't have Windows XP Pro, the best this can do is access the network?

Check out www.gotomypc.com

My company's product

 

[superhuang]

Originally posted by: SteveNYC
If, on the other hand, you don't have Windows XP Pro installed on your home pc and you don't have Citrix and you don't have pcAnywhere (or something similar), then you cannot do remote desktop type of work.

Not true: VNC is a free option, albiet not a very feature-filled or speedy one. But 802.11b handles it fine.

 

[SteveNYC]

superhuang,

You're right, I forgot about that one in particular, that's why I said

(or something similar)

But thanks for the correction.

Steve

 

[takhyon]

TightVNC is faster than the plain VNC. And if you want, you can use it as a client to a Linux machine as well. (you can do that with plain VNC too)

 

[Strong887]

How about a RDP Client for Linux so i can connect to my WinXP machine? I've heard of www.rdesktop.org, but it doesnt appear to be full featured (keyboard doesn't work, etc).

I may just install WinXP on it ; supposedly WinXP supports the Progear hardware natively. You just need a freeware soft keyboard App...

 

[SteveNYC]

Well, FWIW, I seem to have found the drivers for the touchscreen and the video. Without going into further detail, check out the newsgroup at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/progear/.

Now you can put any version of Windows you want on the system as well as Linux w/ Xfree86.

Now, getting back to the original topic......

Anyone had success putting through a successful order for either unit since Friday afternoon?

I think by late Monday, we'll know for certain whether these things are completely sold out or not.

If we can just get the stupid BIOS update, we can make sure than anyone who has a Linux unit can turn it into a Windows unit or visa versa. Someone even brought up the cool idea of making it a dual boot system. Interesting idea!

 

[Strong887]

Where did you hear that you needed a BIOS update to install a windoze OS?

 

[SteveNYC]

From an e-mail I received from a guy who was selling them on EBay. Apparently it's related to the screen in Windows 98SE.

Confirmed by a SonicBlue employee.

 

[Wei2Cool]

Anyone called SonicBLue CS today for availability and shipping date?

 

[Strong887]

Yes i did call SB CS. The feeling i got from them is that they don't really know how many of each they have, and the admitted that the online status may not be accurate. The CS Rep i spoke to was trying to get an SE version himself, to no avail. I ordered the Linux model to be safe (I'm gonna upgrade it to WinXP), but even still he wasn't sure if i will get one, even though the online status was "In Stock" when i placed the order this past Saturday. His advise: Wait a couple of weeks and see if it shows up! Incredible Customer service, eh?

 

[SteveNYC]

People should know that several people have order the Linux "LX" version as recently as today and are getting order confirmations.

Unfortunately, as Strong887 said, the customer service representatives are talking about things they don't know much about.

They talk with a level of certainty that doesn't seem accurate.

So go ahead and try to order the Windows "SE" version and see what happens.

 

[flungster]

just as an fyi - I too ordered the SE version this morning and got an order confirmation despite it saying that it was Out of Stock. However, I called a CS rep and basically the lady told me (though I don't know whether to believe her or not) that the order may or may not be filled. I'm supposedly on a queue for whatever is left. I'd have to wait a few weeks max to see if I get anything. I supposedly won't be charged till the actual product is shipped. So hey.. if I get one - great.. if I don't - well that's 599 saved right? So go ahead and try if you guys want. Chances are; you'll get the order confirmation and just wait in line.

 

[Wei2Cool]

My online order status (1050 SE) just changed from "Shipment pending" to "Has products pending shipment ", and detail remains as "shippable", called CS and it seems that even she could not tell what these mean. I received no confirmation email though.

What a funny system. Fingers crossed.

 

[kermalou]

Originally posted by: Wei2Cool
My online order status (1050 SE) just changed from "Shipment pending" to "Has products pending shipment ", and detail remains as "shippable", called CS and it seems that even she could not tell what these mean. I received no confirmation email though.

What a funny system. Fingers crossed.

same things here

Order Number: xxxxxxx Customer Number: 24xxxx20
Purchase Date: 08-JUN-02 Order Status: Has Products Pending Shipment
Billing Address:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
US


Qty Product Tracking Number Ship Date
1 ProGear 1050 SE None None

but mine says None for ship date

 

[mojo973]

I ordered one of the LX's today. I requested next day delivery. I got a call 30 Min later to confirm my order and I just got an email with UPS tracking number for my package. I paid the $599.

mojo973