Ultimate Notebook Reviews

If you are looking for highly mobile computing in terms of size, then look no further than the FlipStart (FS 1.0) by Dynamism Ultra Mobile PC. Weighing only 1.75lbs with dimensions of 5.9” x 4.5” x 1.4”, this ultra mobile PC has a form factor that rivals that of most portable DVD players. They have also managed to squeeze a 1.1GHz Intel Pentium M processor with 512MB of DDR2 RAM and a 400MHz front side bus.

Unfortunately, the compactness has limited a few key aspects. The hard drive can only store 30GB, and we would really have liked to see a capacity of at least 50GB. There are also no optical drives, no digital media reader slots, no S-Video ports, and no FireWire ports. Then again, there are 3 USB 2.0 ports for fast digital video, audio and data transfer. The display screen is a decent 5.6” WSVGA widescreen with a 1024 x 600 resolution, however, the graphics card is only a 32MB Intel® 82915G GMCH.

Nonetheless, the FlipStart can accommodate basic Internet needs, with 10/100 Ethernet capabilities via a port replicator (included), and wireless networking through a built-in high-speed Atheros wireless LAN (802.11b/g). Also built-in to this ultra portable notebook are dual microphones and speakers.

With this notebook being as small as it is, the designers have had to be a bit creative with the touchpad. On the FlipStart, the touchpad is located near the top right hand corner of the keyboard section, unlike most other notebooks. This certainly takes some getting used to, and carrying a wireless notebook mouse is highly recommended.

Software included with the FlipStart is Microsoft Windows Vista Business Edition operating system (preinstalled), and a software package including the FlipStart Navigator, Microsoft Outlook 2007, and Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0.

Overall, I would give the FlipStart a 7/10, and recommend it for those looking for a really small notebook for word processing and basic surfing needs.