Pepper Pad 3: A Taste of the Future

The ultra-mobile PC heralds the next generation of do-it-all devices, offering universal remote capability and many easy-to-use applications

by Olga Kharif

Editor's Rating:

The Good: Easy-to-use software for viewing e-books, movies, and more; device can function as TV/stereo remote

The Bad: No video camera; 20GB hard drive isn't enough; test unit died once before reviving

The Bottom Line: A pretty good ultra-mobile PC, but you might want to wait for the next version

Reader Reviews

I think of Pepper Pad 3 as a diamond in the rough. Check it out if you want to see what the future ultra-mobile PC might look like. A new breed of computer that's a cross between a personal digital assistant (PDA) and a laptop, the device is jam-packed with cool, innovative design and software features. But right now, some of Pepper Pad's capabilities feel a little underdeveloped. I expect a lot of these little inadequacies will be fixed in the next version.

The gadget sports a cool, trend-setting design. It comes in three colors—pink, white, and black—and features a 7-inch touch-screen LCD, a larger screen than that of most ultra-mobile PCs. The surfaces feel rubberized, so you don't have to worry about scratches too much. Best of all, Pepper Pad 3—selling at Target (TGT) and Amazon.com (AMZN) for $679.99—costs significantly less than a lot of ultra-mobile PCs and even some universal remote controls (more on that later). It is shaped to remind one of winged gaming controllers, and looks as if it's in motion. The gaming-controller theme continues with a joystick-like control pad on one side. Too bad you will have difficulty holding the Pepper Pad the way you would a gaming controller.

Typing and Other Hassles

And that's a problem if you want to type. Pepper Pad's keyboard is broken into two parts, with a bunch of buttons with letters on either side of the touchscreen. I expect this was done with the intention of having the user type while holding the device in both hands. And yes, theoretically you could type with your thumbs. Problem is, the gadget weighs 2.2 pounds, which is less than most laptops but more than some ultra-mobile PCs I've tested. I go to the gym as much as anybody, but I found the device too heavy to hold like that. Instead, I ended up putting Pepper down and trying to type with one finger, punching small buttons to the left and right of the screen. Needless to say, that wasn't very convenient.

But this split keyboard, reminding me of a BlackBerry (RIMM), is a good idea that could make its way into future ultra-mobile PCs—which will, no doubt, be lighter. By the way, the Pepper, made by Korean company Hanbit Electronics, supports an external keyboard and mouse.

Another example of a good idea gone wrong: Unlike some ultra-mobile PCs, like the Vega made by Raon Digital, the Pepper does come with a camera (see BusinessWeek.com, 2/14/07, "Ultra-Mobile PC or Ultra-Mobile Headache?"). Then, upon closer examination, you realize Pepper's is only a still camera, and a poor one at that. Most ultra-mobile PCs are designed for communications, and a video camera is a must. Again, Pepper has to shape up in this area.

Software: Easy Does It

Now for the many features that Pepper gets right. The device boasts infrared emitters and receivers, so it can function as a remote control for your TV and stereo. With Pepper, you can control your cable or satellite box, VCR, TiVo, and DVD player. In effect, the device functions as a universal remote control—the cool gadget that so many people want nowadays but can cost an arm and a leg. If you are sick and tired of having a half-dozen remotes lying around the house, a purchase of a remote that also happens to be an ultra-mobile PC may be justified—if you think you'd be willing to drag the PC with you everywhere to use as a remote.

But it was the versatility and ease of use of Pepper Pad's software that I loved the most. The device connects to the Web through Wi-Fi, allowing users to surf the Web in cafés and airports. And on Pepper, some of the manual Wi-Fi setup pains you typically have to go through are done away with: For instance, Pepper Pad can detect and connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot automatically, without prompting you through setup. Very few ultra-mobile PCs out there are truly easy to use, and this is one of the exceptions.

Pepper Pad's other applications are wonderfully intuitive, too. One piece of software helps the user read and download e-books and organize the e-book library. Reading on the Pepper Pad's screen was enjoyable as well. Another application lets you write and share your journal with others via the Web. Another lets you create photo slide shows. Yet more features let you talk and instant-message via the Web, and manage your music and video libraries. Pepper's developers should be commended for their attention to detail.

More Storage, Please

The Pepper's video quality was good, and the unit has a convenient pull-out stand for watching video in a picture-frame-like mode. I only wish the device offered more memory than its 20GB of disk space. Other ultra-mobile PCs sport three times the storage capacity, which you will need if you are going to use the gadget for watching full-length movies (see BusinessWeek.com, 2/7/07, "The Able TableKiosk eo i7210").

A lot of Pepper Pad's other technical characteristics are quite good: The device runs on an energy-efficient AMD (AMD) Geode LX800 processor. The battery lasts two to four hours, depending on usage, according to the company. In my tests, the battery lasted about 2½ hours, a performance similar to that of most other ultra-mobile PCs. The device offers ports for a microphone, headphones, and composite video-out (for connecting to a TV).

Overall, I found the device quite user-friendly and simple to learn. With a few tweaks, Pepper could easily become exceptional.

Kharif is a reporter for BusinessWeek.com in Portland, Ore.