Wow, this looks like it could be really amazing technology if it works as well as it appears to in the demo.
The DUO consists of a pen/stylus, and a USB-attached part that hooks on to the top edge of the laptop screen and reads the input from the pen.
There are a couple of demonstration videos and screen shots on the DUO site linked below. The first video is rather hokey, but the second one gives you a pretty good idea of how it works--without cheesy background music and overly dramatic voice-overs. They also have the manual available for download.
The skeptic in me sees a lot of potential for disaster here, though I'd love to try one. The site says nothing about pressure sensitivity, so I doubt it can offer the full experience of something like the Wacom Cintiq, or even an ordinary pressure-sensitive pen tablet like the Wacom Bamboo. But the cost is not outrageous at US$119.95.
According to the site, the current model works with 15.4" screens and smaller, but a model for larger screens, including desktop monitors, is due in September 2009. The DUO is currently compatible with Windows Vista and Windows 7. They say a Mac driver will be available in November 2009.
Has anyone tried one of these? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
My first question was also, “does the pen respond to pressure sensitivity?” A review of the information from DUO shows that the answer is… kinda (see user guide quotes below).
But my biggest concern is holding my arm out 90-degrees from my body to write on my LCD. Wouldn’t take long for fatigue to set in.
So I think the DUO might be an ooo-ahhh geek device with some easy (business) annotation features. But for serious graphics use? not so much. I’ll stick with my Wacom… and buy a tablet PC if I think I need on-screen input.
Pg 5 – Key functions: Superior writing quality using virtual pressure
Pg 8 – feature option to set “Pressure level of pen”
Pg 63 – “Windows Journal note recognizes pen pressure. Thus writings such as brush can be done.”
Pg 73 – Q: I want to use this on Painter(S/W) Does this have pressure level?
A: Pressure level is not available now, but is under developing. We provide virtual pressure function. Similar effect are available.
Stephen: I was also concerned about arm fatigue–my arm was feeling tired just watching the demo! Thanks for those user manual quotes. I downloaded the manual but got side-tracked before I had a chance to read it.
Thanks Stephen. The drawing at arms length would be a health issue.
One possible solution would be to lay the laptop flat on the desk, use the graphics driver to rotate the screen image 180 degrees, and then turn the flattened laptop around. It wouldn’t be much use if you needed the keyboard as well. Also, you would need a laptop with a graphics card that was capable of rotating the screen image.
I’m looking forward to seeing Sue’s review once she gets her hands on one.
BTW, don’t attempt rotating the screen image unless you are comfortable with realigning your desktop icons again.
well the 90 degree angle is solved :
see image
if u look at that image u’ll see that the recievr can be put on a normal desk and u can design away. question still remains on the pressure sensitivity.
I found your site because I am looking for a tablet-pc. I never had a tablet-pc so far and I don’t want an iPad. Are there any good hints other than in the article?