Willcom D4 preorders priced above $1500
Though the Willcom D4 (Sharp WS016SH) may never be released outside of Japan, just about anyone in the world willing to pay $1526.33 for the handheld Vista machine can still get their hands on one.
The 1.33GHz Centrino Atom clamshell will have lost its cell features when it reaches GeekStuff4U.com headquarters in late June (June 20 is listed as the "will be in stock" date right now), but the unit's 40GB hard drive, 1GB RAM, Bluetooth, 802.11b/g, and 5-inch WSVGA touchscreen will still be included in the price. In addition to a one-year warranty, GeekStuff4U offers buyers a choice of Vista Home Premium in English, French, German, or Spanish.
Anyone interested?
Yep. but not with vista.
Posted by check it out | 03:29 AM on Apr 24, 2008
Knock off one of the zeroes and I'll take ten! ;D
It looks like it may be another one to add to the 'too small for touch typing, too big for thumbing' books. Nice design, tho.
Posted by Jimmy | 11:42 AM on Apr 24, 2008
The 7.4" is enough for a great touch type keyboard as the old HP Jornada 720 was only 7.3 and the even better keyboard of the Psion was 6.9". It all depends on how an OEM uses or wastes the space. UMPC's should be no smaller than about 6.9" x 3.6" x 1.3" to me and a little longer say up to the 7.4" is fine; also being as thin as possible is great.
It still is a lot better than any other UMPC thus far. I would buy one if they are sold in the US. It would be great to see them make one for one of our US cell companies so we get all the benefits of the wireless cell features. We definately need more UMPC's to go this direction as far as size and shape.
Posted by Art | 12:31 PM on Apr 26, 2008
I heard it was $399 subsidized by the local Japan cell company and the $1500 is the non subsidized number. If Sharp made a deal like what they did with Willcom with a US cell company we would likely see it around the $400 price with a two year subscription. I hope they offer that as I would love to buy this computer.
Posted by Al | 12:33 PM on Apr 26, 2008
Let me think ...
I wouldn't need one, I have something better ...
But considering all that crying in multiple forums how the Shift would be way too expensive at $1500 (wouldn't it be nice if it were available so cheaply in Europe ... $1500 = €940), I can't see many people willing to dish out $1500 for the Willcom that basicall offers significantly less. I am not talking about the screen size ... that is a matter of personal preference and makes the device more pocketable. I am talking about no 3G, no SnapVue (WinMo). If all one is looking for is a WiFi enabled device, there is a lot more stuff available at lower prices.
Well, I am happy with my HTC Shift.
But if I didn't have it and Sharp would actually roll out a similar device with GSM/HSDPA to the rest of the world, I would probably consider it. The Willcom D4 as it is now to me clearly is a "no buy".
Posted by mw65719 | 05:39 AM on Apr 29, 2008
To me the price is only a little pricey in that since I do not live in Japan a lot of the cell features would not work. Compared to a shift, I would rather have this computer as the shift is too large to be pocket size. Right now this seems to be the only UMPC pocket size that would work for me.
Posted by Dave | 11:56 AM on Apr 29, 2008