Customer Reviews

ViewSonic airpanel V110 10" Smart Display

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I actually own one of these devices, and from reading other reviews of the V110 and V150, I get the impression that some reviewers haven't really used one, let alone own one. I'd like to set the record straight and then give you my impressions of this useful gizmo.

* The AirPanel is *not* just a "table PC with some extra software and a USB transmitter": It's a totally different animal: (A WinCE / RDP Client: I think of it as a PocketPC with a big display)

* These babies can connect to any XP Pro or Windows 2003 Server box in your house - Mine is configured to hit any of 3 machines in my home. The boxes in question are part of a hybrid wired/wireless 802.11b network.

* Mira devices are basically RDP clients (the "terminal server-like" technology behind "Remote Assistance Connection" on your XP machine). If your OS cannot accept incoming RDP sessions (like XP and Windows 2003 can), you can't use Mira with it. "Bad Design" as some people have claimed? No, just a fact of life.

* Windows XP is not a server: If you use your Mira device against it, the local console will lock itself down: The AirPanel wasn't meant to be a way to "multiplex" a single desktop so that two people can use the same computer at the same time. However, I can connect to Windows 2003 without the console locking... I also read that MSFT is working on a change to XP so that you *can* use the box itself and the AirPanel connected to it at the same time. This'll be really cool.

* AirPanels/Mira devices work well on a wireless network. I had my device up and running against my existing SMC access point in less than 3 minutes. They in no way "interfere" with the existing network infrastructure or wireless signal.

I've found my V110 to be a very nice addition to the home -- It was frighteningly easy to get up and running, and took no time to learn how to drive. I found my wife using it to shop from the couch hours after it was first plugged in.

It renders screen images very quickly, with little of the lag you expect from a terminal-server like technology. When using the internal speaker (there's only 1), the sound is a bit tinny: However, it's not difficult to use a music player on your remote PC to play tunes (versus the local Windows Media Player built into the AirPanel), and therefore utilize your PC's sound rig. It is rock-solid when it comes to basic activities (surfing, mail, etc.).

I can also turn the thing on and be working in about 2 seconds (really!); There's no "suspend mode" or anything that causes a wait when you want to start up or shut down. I LIKE that.

Finally, the AirPanel doesn't get warm when used for a long time: Anyone who's sat on a couch with a laptop for a couple hours has experienced "the leg sweats" from the machine warming up over time. No problem with the V110.

In my opinion, the handwriting recognition needs work - I found that most of the "stylus strokes" that I learned to do things on a PocketPC don't work here, and it's somewhat frustrating to have to change up my "input style" depending on what device I use: Input technique should be standard across all CE-based devices, in my opinion.

... I almost didn't buy it ... Now I'm glad I did. ...Pick one up. You won't regret it.

I use my AirPanel frequently around the house - for instance, when I need to look up something quickly while reading in bed, it is nice to have the AirPanel right there. Not having to manage yet another set of software, Favorites list, etc. is a huge plus. The handwriting recognition works much better than I thought it would - it understands cursive handwriting quite well, and there is an on screen keyboard to enter in the more difficult words (like web addresses). The touchscreen is flawless.

The only major knock is it's poor wireless ethernet (802.11) radio. Compared to my laptop, the AirPanel has significantly worse signal sensitivity, requiring that your 802.11 network have strong signals wherever you want to go. I'm in the process of upgrading my house 802.11 network so that I can use the AirPanel in more places.

I agree with another reviewer here - this set of reviews should be purged of people who don't own the product and are espousing an opinion on the merits of a product they see no use for. If you can't see how this product is useful, then don't buy it, and please spare us your opinions. The rest of use are very happy with the product concept and do use the product frequently.

I picked one up a few days ago and had it up and running in under 5 minutes. I just pointed it to my existing 802.11b network and specified my main computer name that was running XP pro. It's very light, compact, great display, no heat and range is comparable to any other 802.11b device on the network.

Other reviewers wrote that the price is high and that they would rather get a laptop, well yes I agree. BUT, I already have 2 laptops and 2 desktops on my network and the problem with the laptop solution is that it's bigger, heavier and I hate having my stuff on multiple PC's. With the Airpanel I'm using everything on my main PC and that's a huge benefit. Battery life is great 4-5 hours from a 3 hour charge and the touch screen and virtual keyboard eliminate the need for a keyboard or mouse unless you are using Word or Excel and need to type a lot.

Overall I think it's well worth the cash and my wife is even impressed and agrees that it's worth the money. That's a big win for a gadget junky like myself. I got mine at CompUSA since the price is pretty much the same anywhere you go but I also got a full protection plan for 2 years for $.... This way I don't mine my 2 year old playing with it and if her breaks it in the next 2 years, guess what I get the newest version on this unit at no cost. What a deal...........

This thing is really just a big oll remote for all of your computers! Thank god! hah

It appears that some people have this confused as a full blown tablet PC. Well it isn't. It is as one of the users put it just a terminal interface that uses the remote connection built into winXP

The main target for this device I would think should be people who are interested in a Home theater PC. Well actually a remote for their HTPC. With the Mplus software that comes installed on the newer Air panels (http://www.mplusint.com/) you can do quiet a bit with this thing.

Might also be handy for the kitchen looking up recipes and stuff. Then again I GUESS you could just print it!

This device isn't for my mom it isn't for my friend who casually uses a PC. This device is for me who has several PC's and an extensive HTPC setup. For 400$ this thing is pretty slick. I would like it to be at around 300$ after all is said and done.

To the person who recommened the Envision EN-5200e 15" LCD Monitor instead of the ViewSonic Airpanel V110 10" Smart Display...I hate to tell you this but they are totally different kinds of monitors. The Envision is just a monitor period. I have a 15" Rad LCD monitor which I like fairly well...if on a site to long the numbers and letters imprint in the screen forever lol. But the ViewSonic "Smart Display" is a monitor that you install wireless and then can use at the desk or you can take it to the living room, bedroom, outside or wherever and continue to use as if you were at your desk. I don't mean to sound bossy or know-it-all, but they really are two different birds! Thanks for listening.
P.S. That's why there is a big price difference too. :o)

A little too heavy for my taste, but I like the versatility and robustness of the Air Panel. Great display! Really pleasant to read on and nicely built. Of course price is high on this, but just wait a few months and it'll come down quick.

I'm considering Smart Displays for a business application.

I don't know why the marketing (that I've seen) for this product is just the home market. Yes, I realize it works with Windows XP Pro which can be connected to using remote desktop connection, and there's a free upgrade CD for XP Home users.

It seems I could use it in a business environment, such as a warehouse, and connect to a Windows 2003 Server running terminal services, and attach a (USB) barcode reader--preferably the wand/pen type, or an RFID reader, to it to do physical inventory tracking?

Ok, I realize 2003 Server is not quite out yet (I have RC2). But wouldn't that be a good application for it? The inventory data displayed is always up-to-date, and there's no need to sync up to upload or download data. I think it would be a "killer" application for smart displays.

My main reason for writing this comment is to ask that question, but I do have a comment. I've looked at the V110 and V150 displays at CompUSA. They're not hooked up to any Windows XP Pro computer. So the ViewSonic demo kind of falls short if you're trying to figure out how they work or how well they work. I took my laptop which has 2003 Server on it to CompUSA, but those displays are not actually Smart Displays. They're fake displays running a little floor show.

Bob.

This device is really just a table PC with some extra software and a USB transmitter. It looks nice and has reasonable ergonomics, but it only makes sense under the following conditions:

1) You only have one computer
2) You have no intention of setting up a wireless network
3) You use Windows XP

The biggest problem with this device is that it costs more than many laptop computers. It's not hard to find new laptops that cost less then [$$$] , and it's quite easy to pick up a used laptop for much less than this. You can do more with a laptop on a wireless network than you can do with this device, and it's cheaper.

If you have two or more computers in your home now and you have a broadband connection, then you either already have a LAN set up with a DSL or Cable router. You can replace that unit with a wireless version for [$$$]. Wireless routers typically have 4 wired ports on the back, so you can just plug your existing computers into the back (meaning you don't have to purchase wireless ethernet cards for your old machines). Then you pick up a laptop for [$$$], and buy a wireless ethernet card for it for [$$$].

So, throw in some shipping, and you're up to [$$$]. That's still [$$$] cheaper than the AirPanel, and what you have is actually better in many ways.

Even if you only have one computer right now, this approach is still better, because now you have a network that's expandable. Lets say you get a third computer later on. Bam, just connect it to your router (either wirelessly or with wires, your choice). No fuss, it just works. That won't work with the AirPanel tranceiver.

Consider public hotspots also. The AirPanel won't work with them because it's looking for a direct connection to one machine. But the laptop with wireless ethernet card will work with public hotspots.

If you already have a wireless router, the economics become even more compelling. Now the cost is more like [$$$] for a superior setup.

Then there's the fact that the AirPanel only works with Windows XP. That leaves all other flavors of Windows out of the picture (98, 2000, NT, etc.). It also means you can't use this with your Mac or your Linux box. That's pretty limiting.

A lot of people don't want to use XP because of the "activation" issue, as well as the other forms of spyware embedded in Windows XP. Personally I wouldn't touch XP with a 100 meter cattle prod.

There's really no excuse for this product only working with XP. It should just plug-n-play friendly on any 802.11b network that presents itself. The XP limitation is a symptom of bad design that makes me wonder what other corners they might have cut on this product.

I could go on, but the bottom line is that a laptop with a wireless ethernet card is cheaper than the AirPanel, it's more flexible (it does more things under a wider range of circumstances), and doesn't require you to be running Windows XP.

And that's why I say this product is not interesting. It does less for more money. Why would I want to do that???

In an age of sub-500 dollar laptops... why would you want one of these "appliances" (read: Novelty Item) at the current price-point...? I have a wireless network set up in my home and connect with two desktops, two laptops, a print server, and a HP Pocket PC. All of the drives are shared, every device can hit on the print server, and all devices can be used simultaneously. In the case of the laptops and the Pocket PC, they can be used anywhere on my property and even will roam across the street. I have one PC laptop that stays at home and a Powerbook that travels with me. When I go to work, I roam right into another wireless network and again share all of my resources. The difference is that when I am sitting in the airport or a hotel room, I can actually pull out my laptop and work. Back to the original question: Why would you want to spend [so much] on a dumb terminal when you can have a full-blown laptop for much less? The tablet PC would be at least as good as the laptop and would offer the "touch screen" interface for those who like it. This "smart display" is the whole "network appliance" idea, which apparently just will not die, repackaged - the proverbial "pig with lipstick" ... or is it the Trojan Horse? Following the technology insider's path, the next move will be to "simulate" the versatility of the stand-alone laptop by having the "smart display" link up to a Microsoft server and an Adobe server and a Corel server ...etc. At first we will be given this "feature" at, or possibly below, cost (called a "loss leader" in marketing). Then, after a period of time, we will be forced to pay increasingly higher monthly fees to both access our software and to store our information. Pandemonium will follow... I can see it coming as clearly as I can see a storm coming on the Weather Channel's radar. Personally, I am taking my laptop and my umbrella.

its amazing technology and i find it indespensible for use both at home and office. A must have.