Aigo P8860 MID now shipping worldwide, XP drivers coming soon
I've just been informed that Direct From Japan (DFJ) has partnered with Aigo to begin selling the Atom-based P8860 MID for $699 with free same-day shipping to anywhere in the world. Though the 4.8-inch slider has been available through eBay for some time now, DFJ is actually the first official reseller.
What this means, among other things, is that DFJ is now privy to all kinds of early information. And since such tidbits aren't worth much if they can't be shared, I've got some juicy morsels for the hackers' taste buds right here: Aigo has just signed a deal with Intel and Microsoft to make the sought-after Windows XP drivers available beginning the first week of October! This is great news for those who currently have touchscreen-less incomplete XP installs, need something more Windows-y than Midinux (native OS) or Ubuntu, or just want to get a little bit closer to Vista Ultimate.
I'll be testing an Aigo MID when I get back to Hawaii next week, so let me know if there's anything you'd like to see in the full review.
W00T! XP drivers! W00T!
Can you tell this news makes me just a little excited!!
Posted by huzzah | 09:07 AM on Sep 29, 2008
well, I'd like to see performance under XP, hehe...
Also, how does it compare to the Wilcom D4 ?
Posted by | 10:37 AM on Sep 29, 2008
Hmm.... I wonder if the installation of xp would drastically affect the battery life...
Posted by MiKeN | 01:07 PM on Sep 29, 2008
PLEEEEZ let us know if Skype video calling works in your review Jen!!!
Posted by TheMIDKid | 03:48 PM on Sep 29, 2008
When I had Windows Xp Pro on my Aigo using my Blackberry Curve with USB cable to use the internet on the road it would give me a little over 2 hrs. Now hopefully the drivers do get released.
Posted by HG | 04:58 PM on Sep 29, 2008
Skype works on the Aigo using Windows XP. I installed it when I had loaded XP on my Aigo. The Midinux OS that comes with the Aigo doesn't have Skype, unless they added now that its going to be officially released.
Posted by HG | 05:03 PM on Sep 29, 2008
will this version include the 3G card?
Posted by citivolus | 02:44 AM on Sep 30, 2008
the battery life was great in XP, had the unit on for 4+ hours, and that was with no power settings. This would be a sweet device in XP. if the drivers were available.
it is so light and so small in your hand. No fan, it does get a bit hot, but that is more from the screen.
the viewing angles are not great, but mounted in the car it was great. I had the unit for about a month, the build quality is not good, feels like cheap plastic, camara in KP was ok for skype but overall the buld quality is bad.
Posted by Brook Zerihun | 06:41 AM on Sep 30, 2008
@ citivolus: No, the Aigo doesn't have built-in 3G.
@ Brook: Did you have it for a month because you were just borrowing it from someone or because you bought/sold it? I haven't seen any used units, as the only ones available on eBay are new and from the same seller.
Posted by Jenn | 07:53 AM on Sep 30, 2008
No I pulled the trigger after the first review on GBM, the item shipped and was delivered before the tracking number was emailed to me. I have to say that it is a fun device, but with a working touch bluetooth and Wifi it would be ideal.I eventually sold it to someone who wanted to mount the device in his car, did not work out, got the unit back and now it is sitting waiting drivers.
Posted by Brook Zerihun | 05:57 PM on Oct 01, 2008
@ Brook: Hopefully the drivers will come out as expected so you can give the unit another try. How long did you use the native Midinux OS before installing XP?
Posted by Jenn | 08:28 AM on Oct 02, 2008
less tan an hour, closed os had to trick the system just to gt a terminal, I don't mind linux, in fact i would prefer it. the Bluetooth pairing did not work, and i could not add applications, that was the deal breaker for me.
Posted by Brook Zerihun | 05:14 PM on Oct 02, 2008
Is it possible to install ubuntu mobile? Looks like that will be the OS for the gigabyte M528. Looks like a good alternative.
Posted by Aaron | 06:21 AM on Oct 04, 2008
@ Aaron: Good question. I know people have got Ubuntu running on it, but I haven't heard of anyone trying the recent mobile image on anything other than UMPCs and netbooks. There was some talk of an unsuccessful install in the forum a few months ago, but that was before the new image was released.
If the M528 can run Ubuntu Mobile, though, then the Aigo should be able to too.
Posted by Jenn | 10:16 PM on Oct 04, 2008
I ordered the gigabyte a while ago but canceled when I saw the delay. I just ordered the Aigo after the announcement of the windows drivers. Looks like the main difference is the camera on the back. I don't mind if 3G not included because I want to get a USB 3G modem to switch between my laptops. Thinking of getting the Gigabyte M912M as my primary work laptop.
Posted by Aaron | 07:05 PM on Oct 05, 2008
the AIGO website is updated now has an english start page, could be something
Posted by Brook Zerihun | 09:12 AM on Oct 06, 2008
My Aigo is here today. It is en route on the fedex site. Can't wait.
Posted by aaron | 06:04 AM on Oct 14, 2008