It doesn’t happen too often that a company from China releases a device that immediately sparks a buzz amongst tech enthusiasts around the globe. Meizu managed to do it with their products, and now it’s Smart Devices’ turn with their Linux based SmartQ 5 and SmartQ 7 Mobile Internet Devices(MIDs). The SmartQ 5 is the smallest of the two, but unlike the term MID suggests, this pocket sized device is capable of doing much more than just some simple web browsing, mailing and instant messaging. Driven by a Ubuntu based Linux OS, the SmartQ 5 is perfectly capable of performing tasks like running e-book/comic book readers, remote desktop apps, torrent clients and some light multimedia playback.
Introduction
First, I ordered the SmartQ 5 from DealExtreme for $151.51/€106.17 where they were supposed to be in stock. Apparently they weren’t, so after a week with the order on pending status, I decided to spend a few more bucks and order it from Allpmp for $154.90/€108.55. A few hours later it shipped and when I received it, they already installed the latest firmware and included a free powerplug converter. Kudos for Allpmp. For the unboxing video and first impressions, head over to this previous article.
- Introduction
- Hardware and operating systems
- Software and video
- Conclusion
Really nice review of the SmartQ 5. I read it thoroughly and was really happy to see it “live” in your video review (in HQ, thanks !)
I placed my order more than 1 month ago at DealExtreme and still no news
I guess I will try elsewhere because I’m fed up of waiting.
Anyway, thanks a lot for your complete review
Greetings from Belgium.
François
Thank you!
With DealExtreme, it’s usually a mixed bag. Some items are shipped within two days, while others take weeks or months to ship with the status changing countless of times. I see the SmartQ 5 is currently on ‘Back Ordered’ which means it might take weeks before they ship out. Luckily, DealExtreme is pretty fast with canceling an order. You will receive the refund within a few days. I would definitely recommend AllPmp, it’s a few bucks more but they’re blazingly fast. I received my order 5 days from when I placed it.
Greetings from Holland
Mmmh, thanks for your reply. I canceled my order at DX and ordered it at allpmp. I saw that it is an official reseller of that company which help them to secure stock to meet demand and indeed, a few hours after my order, it was shipped to belgium.
Good to hear that within 5 days you got yours
Thank for your feedback, it helped me to feel safe to buy from that company (which I didn’t know)
Cheers.
hmmmmm..
Android OS on Q5 now support Wifi and sound! but still not smooth to run :
damn it!I type my comment but it didn’t display!!!!so I must type it again!!
here is the address to download the latest Q5 Android firmwork, now it support Wifi and sound, but it still not smooth to run.
kernel:http://u.xunzai.com/fileview_81802.html
root:http://u.xunzai.com/fileview_81788.html
the website is chinese, so better use some software to translate it.
BTW, I hate to type again, : (
You’re the one with the brains here. I’m wathncig for your posts.
Hi!
This is an ecxelent review, a question, what about battery?, how many time is battery life?, i’m going to buy one, so thanks for the advice, i’m going to buy from allPMP.
Don’t forguet that you can install Ubuntu for ARM.
I like the web page, i hope you can following posting… i’ll be reading.
Battery life is pretty decent but depends on what you’re running, the brightness etc. I think I get an average battery time of 4/5 hours out of the device. That’s some surfing, comic book reading etc.
The default OS IS already Ubuntu based btw.
I will be updating the website soon, was on vacation
Thanks!
Can’t find the shipping charges on ALLPMP? Or is it included in the $154?
Thanks.
I think it was about $10 to Holland, give or take a few dollar.
Guys – I’m getting a bit worried. I’ve bought from allpmp.com – sent money immediately and I haven’t been contacted for 30hours – is this normal? Have you had any problems contacting these guys? There’s no way to check the order status.
Thanks,
Marcin.
Marcin, did you get it? I’m thinking of buying a smartq 5 too.
I understand there are multiple distros of ubuntu with lxde:
http://wiki.lxde.org/en/Ubuntu
do you know which distro smartq 5 has and how is the application support?
also does your experience match with the video displaying demonstration on second video? Because if it does, one absolutely should refrain from buying one of these.
http://www.slashgear.com/smartq-5-mid-gets-reviewed-let-down-by-poor-cpu-0640122/
[...] expect videos and a full review within a few weeks. The SmartQ V5 is the successor to the SmartQ 5 (full SmartQ 5 review here) mobile internet device with a 800×480 touchscreen, wifi, bluetooth etc. The SmartQ V5 version [...]
Hi Chinese Gadgets, I love your review!
I’ve been on your website quite a few times now and the reviews are quite thorough but there are still some things I’d like to know.
1)You stated the battery life is 4-5 hours, I’m assuming thats with the screen on, how many hours of battery life does this MID pack listening to music with the screen off?
2) The comic reader you were utilizing, does it allow for you to zoom in? (easily?)
3) Why was the PDF so laggy? slow arm CPU?
4)Is a new browser possible
It is because from your reviews I came to the conclusion that this device does not support flash due to the browser. Is there any way to stream off youtube (without downloading it?)
5) What camera/camcorder are you using? The video quality seems splendid!
I feel very interested in this product and the smartq 5 and definitely am planning to get one. I just want to know the boundaries of what this little unit can do!
Thank you Very much and once again, I love your review!
1) Honestly, I really don’t know. I simply don’t have the time to test the battery life under all kinds of circumstances. But if you plan to use the SmartQ 5 mainly as an MP3 plauer, I’d say you’re better off buying something else.
2) Zooming in, rotating etc is all possible.
3) It was both the CPU and the graphics in the PDF. If you use it to read books with mostly text, it’s quite a bit faster.
4) It’s perfectly possible to install a different browser, although the Midori browser is by far the best. Flash is a problem because it is simply a horribly bloated plugin and there isn’t a great ARM version. Flash ads can slow down my dual processor significantly, so imagine what it would do on the SmartQ 5.
Technically it should be possible to get the flv file from youtube and stream it automatically using the built-in player, but I haven’t seen an easy to install script yet.
5) I used a Sanyo CG-10 for the videos and a Nikon D40 for the photos. Sold them both and bought a Nikon D5000.
You also might want to wait until my review of the SmartQ V5 is online, which should be today or tomorrow.
I can already tell that’s gonna be super hpelful.
Keep on writing and cghgunig away!