Rating: 
Summary: Has some flaws, but pretty cool
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: A Great Idea, But With Major Flaws
Review: First off, the Airpanel is NOT a Tablet PC. It looks like one, but don't be confused. It is what's called a "Smart Display". Think of it as a mobile screen, with input capability, for your main PC. A remote. NOT a full blown computer. So, it's like a Tablet PC without the PC. I love the concept. I'd love to be able to browse the web or work on stuff from the sofa or the kitchen table, without the weight of a laptop or the expense or necessity of a second full blown computer. You can use it within about 75 feet of your host PC. Maybe someday these type of things will be ... and ubiquitous. Right now there's two big problems. First, the price. Even with Tablet PCs costing over twice this, the price is still stratospheric. C'mon, it's just a remote. You'd get more functionality from a Pocket PC for half the price. I think the price needs to come down to about a quarter of what it is currently. Second, you can't use the Airpanel AND your PC at the same time. That's right, it disables your PC. OK if you live alone, I guess. I don't know why they couldn't make it just log in as another user, since it only works with XP Pro, not XP home. I think these will eventually get cheaper and more functional. This is, after all, the first one of its kind.
Rating:
Summary: Expensive, but worth it.
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Expensive, but worth it.
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Amazing........Truely a Jetsons device
Review: 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...........
Rating:
Summary: Does the job, needs better radio
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Does the job, needs better radio
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: A technical question; inventory tracking
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Why?
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Good Technology
Review: its amazing technology and i find it indespensible for use both at home and office. A must have.
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