The correct answer to my gadget guessing game, the HTC Shift X9500 (GSM version), has finally arrived! I only ordered it last week but since I’ve been tormented by my failing efforts to resist the UMPC for months, I couldn’t be happier that the wait is over.
Join me below for the decidedly self-indulgent unboxing and come back later for all kinds of coverage, photos, comparisons, and reviews.
Packaging
Contents
Included with the Shift is an ample set of high quality accessories that actually had me thinking the $1499 price tag was on target when I opened the box. I’ve always considered the device to be overpriced (it still is), but laying out everything it came with took some of the sting away.
First up are an extra stylus, stereo headset, and USB "extension kit" that includes three USB 2.0 ports, one mini USB port, and an ethernet jack.
Next is a nice drawstring accessory pouch with an inside divider and the AC adapter and power cable.
Since the X9500 is the European version of the Shift, it actually comes with the European power cord and adapter shown above. I picked up the US power cable in the previous photo separately.
Also in the box are the user manual, screen protector, and various informational pamphlets and paperwork.
The highlight of the supplied accessories for me is, of course, the lovely leather case. Unlike the silly trifold affair that’s permanently attached to the CDMA version of the Shift (X9000) sold in the US, this one is completely independent of the unit.
It’s no secret that this case was part of the reason I chose the X9500 over the X9000.
Quick Look
Come back for more about my new Shift in the coming days, weeks, and months. Stay tuned!
So at last you have it in your hands -
and at least your first impression is positive
Glad to see you went with it in the end. As I said in another comment on another item, the quality of the whole HTC kit is superb and does make a difference.
One disappointment I’ve had is the lack of interest I get from people when I pull the Shift out of its bag and slap it on the table. Hardly a mention! I’ve been on planes and in important meetings and no one said a word or given it a jealous glance. Using Outlook and doing PowerPoint presentations to an external projector works just fine with no dramas. Maybe they just think it is a small laptop? I don’t now…
Are there any other Shift owning geeks out there with an ego problem like mine?
I would say though that HTC do need to sort out the Vista driver issues. The display driver gets headaches after the sp1 installation, the SD card pops in an out of existence, while the NDIS driver for the HSDPA gets lost on the Vista side.
The display driver in particular can lead to blue screens, which on my XP desktop PC I’ve not seen for an age.
Niggles caused by Microsoft/HTC on the driver front aside, I am still very much a happy HTC Shift owner.
Ps. Looking forward to getting it upgraded to 2GB of RAM (Vista could really do with this) and a 64GB (plus) SSD. Although I will probably need to wait another 6-12 months until the components are available and cheap enough!
Congrats! Why did you buy it though?
Pure gadget lust?
Steve
BTW: The ugly Windows Vista sticker comes off easily enough, without leaving any adhesive residue.
I’m jealous!
Hey, Ian, you could trade up for an eee (perhaps the new 9″?)… I get OODLES of oohs and ahs over my little pretty.
Of course, the Apple sticker I placed over the ASUS tag helps increase the double-take quotient quite a bit…
“Bye-bye, HTC Advantage…it’s been nice knowing ‘ya! Time to find a new home for you on eBay”
The above is a quote from you, Jenn, in the near future
Seems like too much function overlap between the two devices, doesn’t it?
Enjoy the new toy, now you have me thinking about a Shift also…
@ orbitalcomp: Honestly, I don’t think there is that much overlap between the two devices. I have both the Advantage and the Shift, I lov them both, but I wouldn’t give up Advantage for the Shift (if push cam to shove I would give up Shift first). I might feel differently had Shift’s WM side of things been more powerful, provided more storage etc but as things stand the two devices are quite different and I can see different usage scenarios for each of them.
@ Steve: Yep. 100% pure gadget lust.
@ Ian: How strange! I haven’t left the house with the Shift yet (as I write this, I haven’t even turned it on to set it up!), but I would definitely expect a lot of double-takes and “what is that?” stares from people.
Did you install SP1 manually or did it pop up via automatic updates? If the latter, then your experience is very disappointing. I thought Microsoft was making it available through automatic updates only after hardware-specific driver issues and whatnot were sorted out.
@ orbital: Never! The Advantage is seriously too beautiful for me to let go. I don’t use it a whole lot anymore (no surprise, I guess, as I don’t really use anything but my TZ on a day-to-day basis), but I wouldn’t give it up for SnapVUE, even if it were jailbroken and could make use of memory cards for storage.
… great photo’s – can’t wait for your review…
If it only supported anythingX600 so remote desktop would work I would consider this to replace my Fuji U810.
BTW, the first day I took my U810 to work I had tons of people stop by just to look at it. The first meeting I took it to people were drooling over it and all wanted to see it next to their Dell boat anchors.
Dameon,
The Shift supports 1024×600 …
(not native, but the interpolated version seems good enough for me)
Bush: The eee PC is not for me as it is of classic laptop design. The adaptability of the Shift’s form factor is a winner for me. Hey I like to do some stuff standing up!
Jenn: What can I say, I guess I hang out with some dull people. Maybe I will stick a flashing light on it.
The sp1 update was from a manual download. Not had time recently to do a fault find as I’ve been kind of busy.
Dameon: I use remote desktop quite often from the Shift to my XP workstation and a 2003 Server. It works just fine, even via wifi in the bathroom. I can handle more than one remote session running at the same time and at 1024×600 resolution there is just enough real estate on screen to make most Office applications usable. It is the same experience as you get with a laptop, but on a smaller screen. Plus when working from the bathroom (yes I know I’m bad, but we all do it) the shift is a lot cooler and lighter on the lap.
Jenn, I have to say….your reviews make for great reading & the pictures are very detailed! I am very much looking forward to your usual in-depth take on this device.
I have read so many negative things thus far, that I am curious as to how HTC are going to deal with the next version. Maybe a complete revamp…or simply give it the horsepower that it should have had & the battery life it needs. The form-factor is superb; every time I see pictures of the device I want it. It looks absolutely amazing! However, this is definitely a case of beauty being only skin deep. If it was $700 cheaper..I’d seriously consider it, but…..I’ll wait for the revamp!!
Nice photos and very detailled observations… Very nice to see and read.
I’m an HTC fan, so I’m completely astonished with this machine… If it wasn’t the processor…
2 questions:
1 – Does it come with an XP downgrade, in order to install it easily?? Or do we have to live with Vista on this device??
2 – Any idea about the next HTC model and what will be the main differences??
I hadn’t the chance to touch on one of this… but I’m anxious about that day…
ONE OF THE MOST COOL DEVICES!!!
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