A Windows 7 Intel Convertible Classmate PC: First Impressions - Page 4

JussaReader · 12-14-2009, 06:28 PM

There is NO CONSISTENCY in the different Classmate Convertible Manufacturers...it's driving me crazy. I just spend most of the day trying to find info out from the different companies.

M&A Touch= No Bluetooth Built in, but has Wireless N.

CTL 2GO: No Wireless N, but has built in Blue Tooth (on their official product page, it says it has Wireless N, but the tech I talked to says it's only Wireless G)

MDG Canada: It's called the Flip up here. And it has built in Bluetooth and Wireless N.

Mirus Tablet from Target and Walmart: Not sure about these, as no one has got back to me from Mirus. I am pretty sure it's Wireless N, not sure about Bluetooth being built in.

Can any actual owners confirm my findings? I just want one with BOTH built in Bluetooth and Wireless N. I hate dongles.

thx

pphilipp · 12-14-2009, 08:32 PM

And to make it even more confusing, mine came in a somewhat generic brown box. The Manufacturers name is nowhere on the box or in the manual. I believe the box and manual are sold with most, if not all of them. The only give-away this is a Mirus is on the UPC label on the bottom... model number begins with ""MIR". No, bluetooth is not built-in.

JussaReader · 12-14-2009, 09:46 PM

UPDATE ON THE CTL2GO specs. A supervisor contacted me because the first rep didn't really know. Apparently ALL the Classmates including CTL's version support Wireless N...but only for the 2.4 Ghz spectrum...not the newer 5.0 spectrum.

That's fine by me...my wireless router only supports N in 2.4 Ghz.

Hope this helps everyone. So in summary...I think only the CTL has BOTH bluetooth and Wireless N in the USA. In Canada MDG has both bluetooth and Wireless too...but...here is the catch it's 600 dollars plus tax. Too much. I am trying to get one cheaper off Ebay

pphilipp · 12-14-2009, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JussaReader

I am trying to get one cheaper off Ebay

If you have the patience, ebay is the way to go. Because there's confusion about the Classmate, many sellers don't know how to list it. If I hadn't have included the words "touch screen" in body text search, I wouldn't have found mine. The seller only put the non-well-known model number in the title. The bidding didn't go high enough since the auction wasn't seen.

I bought it brand new for $220.00 with full warranty. In twenty five years it's the best computer deal I ever got.

But that said, with patience, you could still get one around $350 to $400.

JussaReader · 12-14-2009, 11:06 PM

pphilipp

I AM SO JEALOUS...of the price u got...you are truly lucky. i only found one new, but open box...for 400 with free shipping, it's an M&A Touch...but no built in blue tooth...i have a bluetooth dongle...but I hate snagging my clothing or hands on it cuz it stuck out of the usb even just a little bit...I am gonna keep searching...or if the MDG Flip here in Canada goes on sale from 600, to 500, I am gonna go for it.

thanks for the new info.

ninetynine · 12-15-2009, 12:46 AM

Do you guys know what size HDD the classmate comes with? Is it 1.8" or the 2.5"? Also do you know where I can buy the version that comes with a SSD?

pphilipp · 12-15-2009, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninetynine

Do you guys know what size HDD the classmate comes with? Is it 1.8" or the 2.5"?

Unfortunately, it only comes with a 60gb. I haven't seen it offered with more. It's 1.8", supposedly the same drive used in some ipods. To make matters worse, it's a pata drive, not sata. They're hard to find... and more expensive it seems. They're known for being tough, which is probably why it was chosen.

But, the drive is easy to get to... a couple of screws and you're at the drive and ram.

ninetynine · 12-15-2009, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pphilipp

Unfortunately, it only comes with a 60gb. I haven't seen it offered with more. It's 1.8", supposedly the same drive used in some ipods. To make matters worse, it's a pata drive, not sata. They're hard to find... and more expensive it seems. They're known for being tough, which is probably why it was chosen.

But, the drive is easy to get to... a couple of screws and you're at the drive and ram.

I wasn't actually looking for a higher capacity version, just a SSD version with better read,write and access times. One of the most common negatives of this netbook is its slow 4200RPM hard drive. I was thinking of buying one of these drives, but the PATA connector is on the wrong side =\. Do you think it would be possible to get the cable from the classmate to reach that side? I know there's a blue plastic that's suppose to go around the HDD, but could I cut out a section to make room for the connector.

Otherwise this is the next cheapest SSD with the correct orientation.

Also, are there any free mini PCI-E slots available? That would make finding a compatible SSD a lot easier.

pphilipp · 12-15-2009, 03:44 PM

I'll see what I can find out on that.

JussaReader · 12-15-2009, 04:02 PM

CTL 2GO SPECS..update 2.

Apparently...when they first built the 2GO Convertible...there was no built in bluetooth.
But now, all the new ones have build in blue tooth...and of course Wireless N.

Available at BJ's Warehouse online.....for 439 until tomorow...then it goes back up 30 bucks

I might take the plunge

ninetynine · 12-15-2009, 06:57 PM

For anyone interested in buying a Linux version of the classmate from M&A, they are out of stock, but if you call them, they'll take a XP classmate and put Linux on it for you and sell it for $400 +~$10 for shipping.

JussaReader · 12-16-2009, 10:15 PM

i think i'm taking the plunge on the Classmate....the Smart V7, W1060 and J100 just aren't good enough for my needs.....

ColdSun · 12-16-2009, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JussaReader

i think i'm taking the plunge on the Classmate....the Smart V7, W1060 and J100 just aren't good enough for my needs.....

MIDs are definately behind netbooks as far as technology goes. I think you might be making the right choice, considering what I've seen of your requirements. Sure, they are a heavier and larger, but there are many advantages to a full OS. Kindle for PC. B&N Reader for PC. Mobipocket for PC. Your choice of internet browsers, and of course, a keyboard. Add to that touchscreen and convertible and you really have a great device here. You are paying a higher price though, but I think it is worth it.

JussaReader · 12-16-2009, 10:52 PM

Coldsun
thanks for your input and advice...it is always much appreciated by me.

FYI to those looking for a Classmate Convertible...if you want the 16gb SSD, you will have to get it from Germany at Unimall website. There is a used one on ebay, but I thought it would be more of a hassle shipping it to Canada. But I know some of you really want the SSD. I am gonna wait til my 60 GB dies first, then after I'll switch it to SSD. The hard drive is only two small screws away on the Classmate. So is the RAM and Wifi card.

hope this helps someone. God know this forum helps me out a lot.

pphilipp · 12-16-2009, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JussaReader

i think i'm taking the plunge on the Classmate....the Smart V7, W1060 and J100 just aren't good enough for my needs.....

Did I write the above quote?? No, not me. But it could have been. Those are the exact units I've been excited about for months.

What did I end up purchasing?
The Classmate.
and... I absolutely love it!!!
It's far from perfect but comes closer to my needs than anything else on the market. (actually, closer than any other computer I've owned)

I'm currently writing a lengthy (and opinionated) review of the Classmate for umpcportal and should have it online by early January.

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12-14-2009, 06:28 PM	#46
JussaReader Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: none	There is NO CONSISTENCY in the different Classmate Convertible Manufacturers...it's driving me crazy. I just spend most of the day trying to find info out from the different companies. M&A Touch= No Bluetooth Built in, but has Wireless N. CTL 2GO: No Wireless N, but has built in Blue Tooth (on their official product page, it says it has Wireless N, but the tech I talked to says it's only Wireless G) MDG Canada: It's called the Flip up here. And it has built in Bluetooth and Wireless N. Mirus Tablet from Target and Walmart: Not sure about these, as no one has got back to me from Mirus. I am pretty sure it's Wireless N, not sure about Bluetooth being built in. Can any actual owners confirm my findings? I just want one with BOTH built in Bluetooth and Wireless N. I hate dongles. thx

12-14-2009, 08:32 PM	#47
pphilipp Addict Posts: 219 Karma: 156088 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Smokies Device: Apple iPad 3 (I have owned many other tablets)	And to make it even more confusing, mine came in a somewhat generic brown box. The Manufacturers name is nowhere on the box or in the manual. I believe the box and manual are sold with most, if not all of them. The only give-away this is a Mirus is on the UPC label on the bottom... model number begins with ""MIR". No, bluetooth is not built-in.

12-14-2009, 09:46 PM	#48
JussaReader Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: none	UPDATE ON THE CTL2GO specs. A supervisor contacted me because the first rep didn't really know. Apparently ALL the Classmates including CTL's version support Wireless N...but only for the 2.4 Ghz spectrum...not the newer 5.0 spectrum. That's fine by me...my wireless router only supports N in 2.4 Ghz. Hope this helps everyone. So in summary...I think only the CTL has BOTH bluetooth and Wireless N in the USA. In Canada MDG has both bluetooth and Wireless too...but...here is the catch it's 600 dollars plus tax. Too much. I am trying to get one cheaper off Ebay

12-14-2009, 11:06 PM	#50
JussaReader Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: none	pphilipp I AM SO JEALOUS...of the price u got...you are truly lucky. i only found one new, but open box...for 400 with free shipping, it's an M&A Touch...but no built in blue tooth...i have a bluetooth dongle...but I hate snagging my clothing or hands on it cuz it stuck out of the usb even just a little bit...I am gonna keep searching...or if the MDG Flip here in Canada goes on sale from 600, to 500, I am gonna go for it. thanks for the new info.

12-15-2009, 12:46 AM	#51
ninetynine Member Posts: 15 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: none	Do you guys know what size HDD the classmate comes with? Is it 1.8" or the 2.5"? Also do you know where I can buy the version that comes with a SSD?

12-15-2009, 03:44 PM	#54
pphilipp Addict Posts: 219 Karma: 156088 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Smokies Device: Apple iPad 3 (I have owned many other tablets)	I'll see what I can find out on that.

12-15-2009, 04:02 PM	#55
JussaReader Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: none	CTL 2GO SPECS..update 2. Apparently...when they first built the 2GO Convertible...there was no built in bluetooth. But now, all the new ones have build in blue tooth...and of course Wireless N. Available at BJ's Warehouse online.....for 439 until tomorow...then it goes back up 30 bucks I might take the plunge

12-15-2009, 06:57 PM	#56
ninetynine Member Posts: 15 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: none	For anyone interested in buying a Linux version of the classmate from M&A, they are out of stock, but if you call them, they'll take a XP classmate and put Linux on it for you and sell it for $400 +~$10 for shipping.

12-16-2009, 10:15 PM	#57
JussaReader Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: none	i think i'm taking the plunge on the Classmate....the Smart V7, W1060 and J100 just aren't good enough for my needs.....

12-16-2009, 10:52 PM	#59
JussaReader Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: none	Coldsun thanks for your input and advice...it is always much appreciated by me. FYI to those looking for a Classmate Convertible...if you want the 16gb SSD, you will have to get it from Germany at Unimall website. There is a used one on ebay, but I thought it would be more of a hassle shipping it to Canada. But I know some of you really want the SSD. I am gonna wait til my 60 GB dies first, then after I'll switch it to SSD. The hard drive is only two small screws away on the Classmate. So is the RAM and Wifi card. hope this helps someone. God know this forum helps me out a lot.

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