Yes, you see what I had previously described in a podcast as my dream setup for home - an OQO Model 02 paired with a Wacom Cintiq 12WX digitizer monitor. I've only had the two together for a couple of days, but already I can tell that these two make a marvelous pairing - the ultimate portability of the OQO combined with the usability of the 12.1" widescreen format 12WX running in 1280x800 mode. After installing the software drivers for the 12WX, the OQO automatically configured the 12WX to the correct native resolution when I plugged it in the first time. After a quick calibration, I was off and writing. Simple and beautiful.

I plan on doing an InkShow on the Wacom Cintiq 12WX in the next week or so where you'll get to see exactly how well it performs. But so far, I've been very impressed with this combination of mobility and desktop functionality with a responsive pen. Let me know what questions you have on this setup!

Every year I attend CES, I learn some things to help in next year's coverage. This year was no different. As a team, we definitely learned some things last year that impacted how we approached CES this year.  On the whole, I believe we were quite successful. There are definite areas for improvement, but I couldn't be happier with what we did, how we did it, and what we did it with.

Here is a list, in no particular, of the successes and challenges I faced. Other GBM staff members will be doing the same, and you can expect their lists to be different from mine. It is worth noting that even though OQO sponsored our CES coverage and provided 2 Model 02's for our team to use during the event, we'll be honest in our use of the devices.

Successes

• The Flip Video Ultra was instrumental in our ability to capture quality video and travel light. Every GBM team member had a Flip, and we were able to import directly to our computers via USB without having to mess with tapes and playback. Couldn't ask for anything better for $249.
• Connectivity - The Bloghaus played a crucial role for our uploading dozens of 50 mb + videos. I don't know how big of a pipe they had, but it had to be at least a 3 mb line. After each day, we would stop by the Bloghaus to pump out content, upload videos, and relax. The Bloghaus has definitely made a way into our CES schedule for next year. As Warner eloquently put it, what can be better than blogging and eating oysters on the half-shell!
• I brought along two extra batteries for the Model 02, but never had to use them, primarily relying on the extended battery. I was on / off throughout the day, but found that I typically didn't have to find a power source until we hit the Bloghaus after 4:00 or 5:00.
• The Model 02 was really good for me. More times than not, I was walking and typing at the same time, getting posts up. On the very first day, I got a call from a client with network issue. I sat down, plugged in my card, and had their problem fixed in no-time. I had a lot of folks stop and ask me what I was using. They were all pretty intrigued with the Model 02, and the mobile possibilities it offered.
• Most of us used Canon SD series still cameras and they took awesome pictures. In previous years, I had taken my Nikon SLR, and while a good camera, it was just too bulky. Going mobile with the SD series was a good move.
• Going light and carrying the Tom Bihn Buzz bag was a really good move for me. My back is much happier! It is amazing how much you really don't need to get a job done effectively.
• I'm surrounded by the best team ever! As the years go on, we are becoming really, really good friends, and as you'll see in the upcoming MobileDemand InkShow, we have a great time just being around each other. They are really good for me.

Challenges

• Connectivity - this was a major area of frustration for everyone involved. Cellular coverage was very spotty and overwhelmed. Cellular coverage in the hotel was horrible, going from 5 bars to 1 bar with no explanation. Our hotel charged $12.95 per day per laptop, and they wouldn't allow mobile routers to be hooked up. Needless to say, uploading video using cellular turned out to be out of the question. We were so thankful for the Bloghaus.
• Producing video on the OQO Model 02 was time consuming and quite taxing. For example, encoding a 5-10 video in Windows Movie Maker 2.6 took about 30 - 40 minutes, compared to about 5 - 10 minutes on an X61. After the first day, we decided to take our video to the Bloghaus and produce on a more powerful Tablet. As it turned out, we were moving so quickly, it was really best to put off our video producing oor later in the day anyway. It helped us get more covered. Next year, we will definitely be bringing one or two more powerful tablets along with us for video encoding, but not concentrated on getting video up during the day time due to the need to cover as much stuff as possible.
• I don't use integrated WWAN on my own OQO Model 02, opting for a USB Novatel USB727 EV-DO modem. Because the Model 02 only has one on-board USB slot, this proved to be quite frustrating in getting pictures posted while connected. It meant I was doing frequent USB connects / disconnects between the modem and the camera in transferring pictures. We didn't have that trouble with the other Model 02's because they were using integrated Sprint WWAN.
• My wrists and thumbs hurt from doing so much thumb typing on the Model 02. I don't recommend thumb keyboards for typing throughout the day like I had to do during CES. In my case, it was worth it, because of how mobile I was. But, they do hurt.
• By the end of the day, the battery on my HTC Tilt was depleted.
• Don't install beta or test apps days before or during CES. I ended up hard-resetting my phone due to instability.
• For taking notes during interviews and booth stops, I found it easier and less hassle to do my note-taking on paper-based notepads rather than bringing a tablet / umpc out of standby and taking notes. The first day, I left my paper-based notepad at the hotel and regretted it. I have found this to be the case every year I've gone to CES. That's right, from the mouth of Tablet PC evangelist - paper, depending on the situation, is oftentimes better.

I'll post more thoughts as the week goes on. Right now,  I'm enjoying being home with my kids, recovering from being sick, and watching Seattle and Green Bay battle it out. Go Favre!

Matt and I left for the airport at 3:00 this morning for 6:00 flights. We knew the CES crowds would be out in force, and in force they are!

We are all totally exhausted, but had more fun than ever. I'm already working on an article on the successes / challenges I faced covering CES. I know the others are working on similar posts. I'm also working on an article on my general impressions of what is now my fourth consecutive CES.

Keep a watch on the site over the next several days for a lot more CES videos and articles, including a chat I had with Motion Computing's CEO and co-founder Scott Eckert on the LS800, WriteTouch, and what 2008 holds in store for Motion. It's not your typical PR speak video. Scott was really forthcoming and addressed the issues and perceptions many in the community have been discussing. The Motion videos are actually a three part series, as I also chat with Scott and co-founder John Doherty about the beginnings of Motion Computing, how the design of the M1200 came about, and much more. The third video is chat with Scott and Michael Johnson, who is in of Product Development. They are fascinating discussions I know many of you will enjoy.

In addition to all the news and video coverage we posted, we recorded what is probably the best InkShow we've ever done. It was on the rugged MobileDemand xTablet T8700. I'll be editing and producing it this weekend, posting it up on Monday. Stay tuned. You will thoroughly enjoy it.

My thanks to Warner, Matt, and Sierra for an awesome show. They are some incredible people who truly love mobile computing and LIVE it. I'm so proud to be affiliated with them.

In addition, I want to thank OQO for sponsoring our coverage at CES this year. They provided the Model 02's that Sierra, Matt, and Warner used, and aided tremendously with our highly mobile requirements.

This ought to shake the mobile connectivity space up a bit. OQO is demoing their Model 02 running embedded WiMAX on Sprint's Xohm network this morning. Matt and I will be headed over there first thing in the morning to check it out.

Here is the official release.

OQO Inc., mobile computing innovator and creator of the world’s smallest fully-functional Windows Vista^® PC, unveiled a technology demonstration of the award-winning model 02 computer with integrated 802.16e Mobile WiMAX high-speed wireless data capability at the Sprint Xohm^TM booth # 31561 at the 2008 International CES in Las Vegas. This demonstration represents the first trial of Xohm compatible WiMAX capabilities embedded in an ultra mobile PC, and showcases the power of anytime/anywhere access to information, applications, corporate networks and the full PC Internet experience.

Mobile WiMAX is a next-generation wireless networking technology that holds the potential to revolutionize mobile data communication through the availability of an advanced nationwide wireless broadband network designed specifically to mobilize the Internet and deliver new mobile multimedia applications. The promise of this new technology will be fully realized by devices that offer rich computing capability combined with truly mobile form factors.

As the leader in the ultra mobile PC category, OQO has pioneered the miniaturization of the PC into a sleek, elegant, and ergonomic device small enough to fit in your pocket yet powerful enough to run full multimedia and networked business applications with Windows XP or Vista. With this demonstration of the first ultra mobile PC with embedded Sprint Xohm compatible Mobile WiMAX, OQO is taking the logical next step in leading the development of this product category.

“Consumers and mobile workers want to experience the real Internet and all their favorite applications with the same high speed and full functionality whether at their desk or on the go,” said Bob Rosin, senior vice president of marketing and alliances, OQO. “Today’s Mobile WiMAX demonstration on the OQO model 02 shows the path to truly seamless computing.”

Typical performance on Xohm’s WiMAX network is 1.5 Megabits per second on the uplink and 2-4 Megabits per second on the downlink. This is 3-5 times faster than any available mobile wireless service. Within the next 12-24 months, Mobile WiMAX deployment will be available in metropolitan areas nationwide and become the true next-generation mobile broadband network.

"OQO’s demonstration of a UMPC with embedded Xohm WiMAX capability is further evidence of the additional development of this powerful ecosystem," said Bin Shen, vice president of product management and partnership development at Sprint’s Xohm business unit. “We expect devices like OQO’s model 02 to benefit greatly from the Xohm WiMAX network.”

OQO today is announcing a technology demonstration of Xohm compatible Mobile WiMAX wireless capability in the model 02 computer, and is not presently making available a product for sale with such functionality. Availability of the OQO model 02 computer with embedded Mobile WiMAX capability in specific geographies may be announced at a future date. With this announcement, OQO does not make any representations about product availability. The OQO model 02 is currently available with 3G wireless networking capability including EV-DO Rev. A in the U.S. and HSDPA internationally.

For more information about the OQO model 02 ultra mobile PC, please visit www.oqo.com. To receive updates regarding OQO announcements, sign up for our mailing list at www.oqo.com/mailing_list/join.html.

OQO has announced a 64 GB SSD option and an outdoor viewable screen for the Model 02. The 64 GB SSD version is $2999 and includes the outdoor viewable screen. The outdoor viewable display option costs $199 extra with other model versions. As of this posting, the options are not on the store but should be there soon.

OQO Inc., creator of the world’s smallest fully-functional Windows Vista^® PC, continues to expand its industry-leading UMPC line with the addition of a 64GB solid state drive (SSD) option plus the introduction of a new display technology offering dramatic improvement in direct sunlight readability with greater than 50 percent reduction in unwanted reflections.

This expansion of OQO’s offerings addresses two important growth segments of the UMPC market. On the one hand, field service professionals require outdoor-useable UMPCs in tough environments. At the same time, savvy prosumers are seeking best-of-class full PC functionality in a truly pocketable form-factor. With the addition of these new options, OQO customers in consumer and professional markets can now choose from the most complete line of UMPCs, ranging from base configurations starting at $1,299 to high-end configurations sporting 64GB SSD, 1.6 GHz processor, Sunlight Optimized display, Microsoft Windows Vista, and embedded mobile broadband capability through EV-DO Rev. A in the U.S. with service from Sprint or Verizon Wireless, or through HSDPA with service from international carriers.

“The OQO model 02 series continues to mature and expand to meet the needs of our customers, and the improvements announced today further push the performance envelope in the UMPC category,” said Bob Rosin, senior vice president of marketing and alliances, OQO. “Solid state drives offer substantial improvements in performance and reliability for mobile computers, while OQO’s new Sunlight Optimized display is a breakthrough in anytime/anywhere usability.”

The OQO model 02 with 64GB SSD utilizes a high performance NAND Flash based solid state drive, offering benefits including significantly faster read speeds resulting in quicker application launch and boot times, as well as improvements in battery life and shock survivability compared to hard drive based models. The OQO model 02 Sunlight Optimized display utilizes proprietary anti-reflective films in order to reduce specular reflections between the internal layers of the display itself, resulting in reduced reflections in direct sunlight and improved contrast when used in outdoor viewing scenarios.

The 64GB SSD and new Sunlight Optimized display can be ordered today at www.oqo.com/store or by calling OQO Sales at 877.676.6688. Retail information is available at www.oqo.com/about/retail_locations.html. Delivery dates of some options may be limited by component availability.

Okay, so I'm just a touch late with my predictions, but I'll still throw in my opinions!

• Standard Windows based Tablet PCs will start evolving. Microsoft has been going after the "pen/touch as a feature" kind of thinking for a while, and I think as Vista inevitably gets adopted, that the feature mind set will start to prevail. I have really mixed opinions about whether this is a good thing, because I also predict that it will lead to...
• Less diversity in Tablet PC form factors. We're seeing this already with the number of relatively ho-hum swivel convertibles that are coming out with few slates and no new hybrids. In 2008, more systems will just include a touch screen because they can, and because more people will want them due to the number of iPhone users out there. However, few people will use the ineffective touch screens well, which will cause
• Frustration with Windows Tablet PC features. And I think this is a Really Good Thing. Because if people get upset, then Microsoft will do something about it. Right now, we're merely a vocal minority. As more systems with touchscreens get in the hands of real users, frustration with the shortcomings will be inevitable and the outcry will finally reach Microsoft.
• More PowerToys for Tablet PCs. Instead of addressing the requirements in the OS, Microsoft will release at least 6 new Power Toys in 2008 geared directly for ink and touch input. These will attempt to appease the masses while Microsoft works on Vista Service Pack 2.
• Intel's vision of Mobile Internet Devices will release and people will get really excited and really disappointed. There will be a big bang at CES with lots of buzz. Once the systems start getting into reviewers hands, a couple models will get good reviews, but all will complain that the devices
• Don't run Windows
• Aren't fast enough
• Aren't compatible enough
• Don't take the place of my desktop system
• That said however, small, inexpensive ASUS Eee PC type systems will start getting really really popular. However, these aren't MIDs (according to Intel) and whether they're UMPCs or not is an open question. People will start to understand that "Anytime/Anywhere" connectivity can be a really good thing.
• HTC will FINALLY launch the Shift, and by the time it is released, it will be obsolete.
• Wacom will finally get some serious competition in the Tablet PC space, from newcomer N-Trig. N-Trig's digitizer will get some great reviews and people will start having a good option beyond Wacom. It will get adopted as an option for some of the upcoming Tablet PC releases.
• Multi touch will not happen in 2008, at least commercially. There will be talk and there will be lots of demos, but no real uses until the software catches up in 2009.
• WiMAX will lose even more momentum. I want WiMAX to succeed, but I just don't see it happening, at least not for yet another year. I actually really hope I'm wrong on this one.
• Wireless USB devices will start popping up here and there and people will start to get interested, but interoperability fears and high prices will stall the adoption.

I'm going to dub 2008 as the Year of the Tweener. I think the big stories in 2008 will all circle around those "in-between" devices - bigger than a cell phone, smaller than a Tablet PC, trying to be multi-functional and sometimes succeeding. The release of the MIDs will whet people's appetites for Internet access, and as these converged devices start to get in the hands of consumers, frustration will set in as the devices fail to live up to our hopes. And the computer manufacturers will listen to us all...

Well, I’m not sure if it is an “Ultimate” challenge or not, because I really am only checking out three devices here, but play along.

There are a lot of closet Stall Surfers out there. You know who you are. In fact, it is, in my considered opinion, one of the reasons that folks love mobile devices so much is the opportunity for a bit of Stall Surfing. Forget all the talk about making you more productive at work. It is all about being able to cruise the Internet, read an eBook, or check email in those very private moments. With the advent of touch devices, even those touchy about the subject are coming out of the closet on this issue. And don’t feign modesty here. You know I’m talking to you.

It is the seaon for Top 10 Lists, that’s for sure. I always find them interesting to read becuase largely they contain the same things. For example, I don’t think we’ll see a Top 10 list in 2007 without the iPhone at the top this year. Jason Hiner of TechRepublic has published his 10 Most Important Business Technology Products of 2007 and it is a good roundup. (He also has a Top 10 Technology Belly Flops list as well.)

Interesting to note: Vista and Mac OSX tied at number 7, Outlook 2007 came in at number 3, and the OQO Model 02 came in at number 2. Number 1? You guessed it.

  Are we going to CES? You better believe it!

We've already been hard at work planning to bring the community the best in coverage for Tablet PCs, Ultra-Mobile PC, MIDs, and other mobile connectivity solutions. We are especially looking forward to annual Tablet PC / UMPC Meet-Up.

If you are planning on attending, please let us know so we can try to hookup during CES. We move pretty fast and will be traveling light, but we love to catch up with our readers. Second, whether you are attending CES or not, but will be in the Las Vegas area, be sure to attend the meetup on Tuesday afternoon.

I do have a special announcement to make in regards to our CES coverage. OQO, the company behind the ultra-mobile Model 02, is our official CES Sponsor. Considering how mobile we have to be to do the job right, we couldn't have asked for a better fit from a sponsor. OQO is going to outfit our team with some EVDO equipped Model 02's, which will enable us to post more frequently from the floor, travel as light as possible, and move through CES like some hounds on a hunt. Thank you, OQO!

What gear are we taking?

• OQO Model 02's with integrated EVDO
• Flip Video Ultras
• Opteka Monopods
• Various still cameras
• Various phones
  • Sprint Mogul
  • Nokia N-95
  • HTC Tilt
  • iPhone
• And of course, Splotches!

Our SIM-toting comrades in Europe must be quite happy today. OQO has announced that the e2 Tablet PC is now available with open-SIM 3G data access, allowing the e2 to access those high-speed HSDPA networks they all enjoy. Here's to hoping that open-SIM access is not too far away for those of us in the states!

Here is a link to the press release and snippet:

OQO, Inc., creator of the world’s smallest fully-functional Windows Vista® PC, today announced availability of the new model e2 with embedded HSDPA mobile broadband capability, providing customers in Europe and Asia with widely-available high-speed Internet connectivity. The OQO model e2 with embedded HSDPA is designed specifically to meet international demand for anytime/anywhere computing with access to the Internet and networked PC applications in a pocketable and ergonomic form factor.

“Savvy individuals and enterprise users around the world are demanding access to all their information and applications wherever they go,” said Dennis Moore, CEO, OQO. “We are seeing rapid growth in Europe and Asia, and the release of the model e2 with built-in HSDPA positions OQO in these markets as the leader in next-generation mobile computing.”

The model e2 with embedded mobile broadband supports data access through UMTS/HSDPA at 2100MHz, and is downward compatible with GPRS/EDGE networks at 900MHz and 1800MHz. Download speeds of up to 3.6 Mbps are supported. The product is available SIM-free and network unlocked, allowing customers maximum flexibility in selecting their preferred wireless operator and data plan. Users of the model e2 have their choice of connectivity options, including tri-band wide-area wireless, WiFi 802.11a/b/g and Bluetooth 2.0.

Wow, there’s Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, and now GearCrave tells me there is Pink Friday, in support of finding a cure for breast cancer. My head is swirling trying to keep up but that doesn’t matter. I’m just glad to see some of the proceeds going to help. One of the deals TigerDirect is running should be of interest if you’re looking for an OQO Model 02. The 1.5gHz version running XP is now on sale for $1,069 or 10% off.

According to GearCrave, the details on how long the deal lasts are a bit sketchy, so if you’re interested check it out.

The Boy Genius Report just posted a great comparison of the Vulcan FlipStart, the OQO Model 02, and the Sony UX280P. He compares nearly all facets of each system, from design and portability to feature set and configurability. If you are trying to decide on a 4" screen device, this is a must-read.

I've used all three myself, although I've never had the opportunity to compare them directly. My favorite is the OQO, hands-down. Small Tablet PCs like the OQO are hard to find, and the active digitizer is even more rare. The biggest point in the OQO's favor for me - it just feels good in my hands. The tactile feel of the unit is just a pleasure for me. The Sony would come in second, but it felt oddly thick to me. Personal preference. The FlipStart was a non-starter for me. No touch screen, no digitizer. It's just a tiny laptop.

Very interesting article from TechRepublic on their Top 10 Most Important Business Technology Products of 2007. Not surprisingly, they list the much-talked about iPhone. Second to the iPhone, according to TechRepublic, is OQO's Model 02 Tablet PC. Wow!

As an owner of an OQO Model 02, I can attest that it is the most productive UMPC / ultra-portable Tablet PC I've ever used, and can certainly see how TechRepublic got to their decision. It is good to see OQO getting some much deserved high profile nods.

While most of the UMPCs from big vendors have received only a tepid response from businesses, the OQO, which is currently the sole product for San Francisco-based OQO, Inc., is being gobbled up by lots of different organizations in various industries. Movie producers are using them to watch dailies (with the help of specially modded Slingboxes). News photographers are using them to instantly submit their on-site photos, the U.S. Army uses them at security checkpoints in the Middle East. Others are using them as mini PCs for workers who don’t sit at a desk. For these workers, the OQO is helping to create a new category of PCs — one with a very high geek factor.

Via MobilitySite

MobilitySite.com's Frank Garcia ( ctitanic ) got his hands on the popular OQO Model 02 / e2 and is coming away quite impressed with this ultra-portable Tablet PC. Check out his full video review here, which is in Spanish with English subtitles.

Gizmodo has interesting post, inviting them to an OQO December 3rd "pre-launch unveiling" for something new. Hmm....very interesting. The good thing is that we don't have to wait long to find out.

via UMPCBuzz.com

In a surprising pairing of railroad inspectors and high-tech, CSX Transportation, an East Coast railway company, has chosen the OQO Model 02 to replace the 7 inch binders that the inspectors have used in the past. CSX was looking for a small device that inspectors could carry with them easily, and the OQO certainly fits that need while still offering the full functionality of a Windows XP or Vista notebook computer. CSX also liked the fact that the OQO has EV-DO capability built in. With railway inspectors frequently in the field, having fast access to the home office is a really important feature.

"We wanted to go with something small and Windows-based," said Larry Biess, director of advanced engineering for CSX. "The biggest thing for us was, with the OQO we didn't have to develop new software for the handheld device -- we could just port over our existing applications from the desktop environment. It took a lot of pressure off of us."

This is exciting news not just because of the impact that the sales could have for OQO. This is taking small, fully features ultra mobile PCs and putting them in places where we typically expect to see only ruggedized devices. That expands the available market for a UMPC dramatically, and bigger markets mean more choice. Coming as this does on OQO's recent design award in Japan, I hope this means good things for the company in general.

I have played with an OQO Model 02 on a couple of occasions and it is definitely my favorite device in that size category. I just wish I could afford to have another Tablet PC right now...

via InformationWeek

Chippy, of UMPCPortal.com, was fortunate enough to get some one-on-one time with OQO's Martin Day, their Director of International Channels.

I like what Martin has to say about HSDPA in the Model e2. Check it out.

I have played around with installing some of the more recent games on my Lenovo x61, but I would have never thought about these games running on some UMPC's. Heck, I was even afraid to try and install them on my R2h...

Ultra Mobile Life is connecting us with John Gatt who is playing Warcraft 3 on a OQO Model 02 and a Samsung Q1B.  Seems as if he was having a little trouble with the 'right click' using the pen.  Probably not as good as playing on a big screen and a powerful desktop, but still fun anyways...

I'm still in the middle of doing a lot of testing of the SSD based OQO Model 02 and quite impressed with this new model, so it is good to see some much deserved accolades come OQO's way. They have just been awarded the Good Design Award 2007 for their Model 02, sponsored by the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization.

Congratulations, OQO - well deserved.

Here is more on the Good Design Award from OQO's press release:

OQO Inc., creator of the world’s smallest fully functional Windows Vista® PC, today announced that it has received the prestigious Good Design Award 2007, sponsored by the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization. This award recognizes the OQO model 02 computer for its innovative product concept, high degree of usability, and superior product design.

The "Good Design Award" is Japan's only comprehensive design evaluation and commendation system, originating from the "Good Design Selection System" (generally known as the "G-Mark System") instituted by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in 1957. This accolade is presented for designs that clearly demonstrate merit in the following assessment categories: designs that meet or exceed a certain standard, superior designs and future-oriented designs. Products that have received the Good Design Award are permitted to be exhibited with the highly recognized “G-mark” logo.

In addition to winning the Good Design Award, OQO also announced that Bob Groppo has joined the company as vice president of engineering:

Groppo brings more than 20 years of experience working on PC systems, including mainstream desktop, notebook, appliance and server platforms with expertise spanning from chip-level and system-level architecture at Intel Corporation, to high-availability, scalable server designs at Sun Microsystems.

In addition to his work with PC architecture, Groppo has developed smartphones, digital still cameras, camera modules, portable media players, wireless modules, MIMO antennas and various nontraditional computing platforms.

I'm doing some more comparison tests on the OQO Model 02 1.6 ghz 32 GB SSD and the Model 02 1.5 ghz 60 gb 4200 rpm units.

Chippy, from UMPCPortal.com, asked me to install HD Tune on both the SSD and Non-SSD Model 02's. I did and ran the benchmarking tests. The results are pretty remarkable. It is the fastest UMPC / Ultra Mobile Tablet PC I've ever used - period.

BTW - Battery life on the SSD OQO Model 02 is showing to be about a 45 improvement over the HDD model. I just ran 4 or 5 HD Tune tests on battery, and the SSD is showing about 5.5 hours left, the HDD model showing about 4.75 hours left. I'll do more testing on that.