There are a lot of questions being asked about performance on the Motion Computing CL900, with some asking if they should cancel their X220T order. As I indicated in my Lenovo X220 Tablet review, I don’t run benchmarks, etc. I base the performance of a tablet upon how it performs for my needs and workflow. My impressions are purely subjective so take them at that.
The CL900 I am testing is an Atom Z670 running 1.5ghz, 62 gb SSD and 2gb of ram. The base model 1gb / 30gb ssd runs $899. Pricing for additional ram and SSD is only available through a reseller. I don’t even know why Motion offers the $899 stripped down unit. Windows 7 needs a good 2gb of RAM to run decently and the ram can’t be upgraded after purchase. After loading Office 2010, the Kindle app, Windows Live MovieMaker, and ArcSoft, I’ve already utilized 26 gb of the 62 gb ssd.
I’ve been using the CL900 with Word, OneNote, Kindle, ArcSoft webcam, and Internet Explorer all running at the same time. There were no delays in application switching with RAM peaking out at about 1 gb – the system never hiccuped. In addition, I’ve played several movies through Netflix and didn’t experience any hiccups at all (see update below). The experience was actually quite nice on the 1366 x 768 screen. From a cold-boot to Welcome screen took 40 seconds. All of that said, I certainly wouldn’t classify the CL900 as a speed demon. There were delays in opening applications that normally fly open on my Lenovo X220 Tablet PC. However, my X220T is also a 2.5 ghz i5 with 4gb of ram while the CL900 is a 1.5 ghz Atom Z670. I wouldn’t expect the CL900 to hold up well to Photoshop and I wouldn’t purchase the CL900 as my sole workstation. As a secondary mobile computer, however, I would have no worries about bringing it on the road and having to get work done.It definitely feels faster than the HP Slate 500 and I’ve been pleased with the performance.
Update: I have been playing more movies on and off today over Netflix and have noticed some intermittent screen flicker / pausing, almost like there is a caching issue but not in traditional “wait” caching. I’m not sure what the difference is between today and last night, but the movie playback quality over Netflix today is more noticeable. It could a difference in the type of movie being streamed. I’ve tested YouTube videos (like the ones I posted today) and have not noticed the problem I experienced on Netflix today. The sound was decent at full volume – nothing to write home about, but decent.
The only application I had problems with was Windows Live MovieMaker 2011. While trying to test the webcam out, many portions of the application (Options, timeline, webcam recording) were black. The application was completely unusable. I suspect the problem is likely a video card incompatibility issue. Recording through ArcSoft’s webcam application, though, presented no problems at all. I’ll share samples from the front and rear cameras later.
Battery life has been amazing. Motion claims 8 hours and from my tests so far, that claim seems to be holding up. I’ve been using the tablet on / off since yesterday and have yet to get below 50% usage. Another great thing about the CL900 is that it only takes 2 hours to recharge back to 100% battery. My usage has been with the power options set to Motion Optimized. I would classify the CL900 as an all-day mobile computer.
In closing, the CL900 would make a fantastic secondary computer for a mobile worker or student. I would only recommend purchasing the CL900 with 2gb of RAM and 62gb SSD. Under normal conditions, performance shouldn’t be an issue. I wouldn’t, however, run out and replace your desktop or i5 / i7 tablets with the CL900. It wasn’t designed to compete in scenarios where users need to run Photoshop or CAD. If I needed a secondary computer, though, I wouldn’t hesitate a second in purchasing the CL900.
Rob, thanks. This is the CL900 info for which I have been waiting. Your usage comment is exactly how it will be used – a secondary computer, NOT to replace a desktop. I just need to finally eliminate the Q550 from my list.
I viewed the inking video again and for now, if the inking clicking noise becomes a bother, it will just have to be a nuisance.
One question about your review… ‘I’ve already utilized 26 gb with 36 gb remaining’ … are you saying remaining space on the SSD? Could you clearify in a sentence or two?
The docking station review was also helpful. I don’t think it will be purchased – too expensive and no vga or hdmi output. Just hope Motion comes through with another docking device and surely not so expensive!!!
Thanks again.
I have used 26gb out of the 62gb disk. Thus, the 30gb ssd will be a challenge for folks. I have not even added in any documents, etc.
Rob,
How was the sound when watching the movies or listening to a streaming video. Is it loud enough to hear or do you have to be in a very quiet place. It only has one mono speaker, do you feel it gives ok sound for everyday use in video chats and streaming?
Thanks
Update: I have been playing more movies on and off today over Netflix and have noticed some periodic screen flicker / pausing. I’m not sure what the difference is between today and last night, but the movie playback quality over Netflix today is more noticeable. It could a difference in the type of movie being streamed. The sound was decent at full volume – nothing to write home about, but decent.
Thanks Rob! This has been incredibly helpful. I think I will be sticking with the X220T or HP 2760p seeing as i will need the processing power. That said, if the Motion ever comes down to around 500, i would be happy to pick it up.
On another the note, the clicking of the pen on the Motion is a bit bothersome.
Thanks again
Hi Rob and all,
I received a CL900 this last Friday, I believe the same model you have (2 gb ram, 62 gb ssd, wifi only no wwan). Mine had a dead pixel on first power up which is still there. Have you seen any on yours?
Also a weird thing I’ve never seen before, after initial WIN 7 setup and user creation the default save to user folders for each Library was set to D:\Users\Administrator. I mean all of them, Document, Music, Pictures, Videos. There is no Administrator user set up on the device nor is there a D drive. I had to delete the bad reference in each library and add the correct ones. I had to reboot the device to get it to accept these as well.
Did you see the same issue?
Using the Bluetooth radio with a Serial Port Profile to connect to Bluetooth RFID reader keeps crashing the device. After it crashes I have to delete the device and then recreate and pair it again. If I power off the RFID reader and turn it back on and then try and make a connection again the CL900′s screen will go black except for the dead pixel and then freeze. This happens after trying to enter the pairing code again.
Have you seen any Bluetooth issues?
Have also experienced issues with the rear camera not always activating.
Currently waiting for the good folks at Allegiance Technology to setup a conf call with them and Motion but curious if you have seen any similar issues or anyone else with a CL900?
ps. I’ve seen the same screen issues as you on Netflix however I’m not sure I’d say the sound is adequate.
Have been pleased with the touch performance of the screen and the inking but your right it’s not like a Wacom.
Have always enjoyed your reviews and insight over the years!
Steve – have not seen dead pixels nor the administrator library issue. I have not used Bluetooth as I don’t have any Bluetooth devices. Cameras seem to be activating fine on my unit.
Thanks for the encouragement!
Rob, thank you for the review information. I appreciated your assessment very much. I ordered a similar equipped CL900 but with WWAN June 4th, but haven’t heard anything and no ETA notices. Having owned iPad, Android tablets, and considered the HP Slate 500, i anticipate CL900 finally being able to incorporate enough of the entertainment factor–but with real work capability in handling the many Office and MS applications that I must monitor constantly and remotely while traveling. Then pen noise may seem trivial to many, but for me–I was hoping it to be noticeably less than the Slate 500? Can you see someone using this during corporate meetings and presentations, next to someone on a long flight, etc. type semi-quiet situations, or this going to annoy people?
Chris, I believe the noise would annoy people in those settings.
I received the CL900 demo today. I did not hear any clicking with the pen, but my office is quite loud, I guess I need to take it out somewhere quite. I thought I saw a setting to turn this off but need to check it out.
My only complaint was trying to figure out why none of my .NET applications looked correct out of the box. It ended up being that the display was set to be 125% for easier reading fonts. I set this back to 100% and everything was fine.
I have a web camera application that works fine once but then the cameras do not respond a second time saying device doesn’t exist. This same app worked on the F5v.
Performance seems ok with 2GB, much better than the older Atom processors. I am running an application with a SQL Server Express database and it retrieved data at a reasonable rate, but not at i5 or i7 speeds. If I needed that, I’d buy tne F5v (it is amazing!)
I had to ask how to make the device quit autorotaing and it was to right click on the Motion icon in the tray, and there is a option to not rotate.
My screen looks great. I took it out in the bright sunlight and it looks much better than other devices and was very readable. Probably not up to the F5v, but it isn’t supposed to compare to the View Anywhwere display.
I had to calibrate the device a couple of times, but it is set and working well. I need to load office for some other comparisons but so far so good.
I am anxious to also test the Gobi GPS card with some applications.
I am missing the navigation buttons that are on the F5v to navigate through some apps and use one of them as a enter button.
I did not have any dead pixesl either.
You can’t beat the price for a rugged device.