The New Ariake Neo Logic Omni-Tool

So this is the new Neo Logic Omni-Tool VIII from Ariake and man, I reall like it. I have just recieved a shipment of these and since it is brand new I thought it would be nice to share my opinion of it.
(And no, I am not getting paid for it.)


It has an IntelMD 2400X control unit and an ArmaTech GT300n hardware pack.
I know, I know not really new, but solid enough, the real improvements are "under the hood". The interface units and ME projectors are (so says the manual) derived from stuff used on the crucible project and it really shows.
I mean that thing has better performance on the benchmarks than its competitors (5%-10% with a ~2% error margin) in the price segment despite using standard modules.
But the real bonus is the brand new Ariake FabUnit 3k400MX. It can be used to print parts for the Krysae rifle in record time (well in its price segment, Armali, Serrice and Kassa are still faster). Yes, I did check that myself. Within its segment, it the fabricator reaches a new level complexity. The only parts it can print were parts like the rails or the optics for the range finder.

Well now for the downsides, the performance of software apps and raw calculations is lacking, I know it is an improvement over the competitors, but if you aren't using the fabricator on a regular basis, there are equally good omni-tools for less money available like the Polaris Next line.
Similar, the available RAM is undersized and I recommend buying an upgrade pack with the omni-tool to make full use of the fabricator.
Oh, and the range of the wire-less unit is low, like really low, for example the T2T range is given as 1km max. That works for cities, but if you have to leave civilization you will get into trouble with loosing connections all the time.

On the software side, the Omni-Tool comes with the Ariake Application Suite 8.7 (functional, good at what it is supposed to do). The architecture is wide open and if you so desire will support most open-source alternatives. The fabrication unit is compatible with industry standard print applications and it can be programmed using FabLang 5.6, Structor 8++ and CAD-Fab 8 Series.

Personally I like the omni tool, the fabrication unit is great aid when doing mods and the open nature of the architecture and that you don't have to jail-break it is really inviting for anyone who wants to tinker with it. On the other hand I can't recommend it for people who just want to browse the extranet or play games, there are cheaper alternatives.

You said its processing power is lacking. Do you happen to know the FLOP rate on it? Or at least an approximation?

Just barely reaching 10^18 flops, this is the lower end of its segment. It is sufficient for most applications, but once the next generation of CPUs reach the market the Neo Logic will be out-classed.
The architecture allows for manual upgrades though, but it may not be cost-efficient or practical for anybody with no idea how to install a CPU. It isn't a problem for me I have enough components lying around my work space to upgrade the Neo Logic to my needs, but other might not have the luxury.
You might be better off buying something else if you want to be able to play the next N7 Code of Honor.

Interesting! Are you planning to do more tech reviews?

I have no real use for the fab module I'm afraid. Is the a biotic booster package available in a bundle?

Uh, that above isn't a real "review" and more of a "hey look at that thing I just got and here are some infos about it".
But sure if there is interest I might occasionally post about stuff that catches my eye.
For more indepth review I suggest tech.citnn.ext . They hit imo the right balance between depth and accessability.
Wait a few weeks once the initial release period is over, then most tech companies start to release bundles. I wish I could advise you on biotic tech, but that is out of my area and I rather not become liable to injuries resulting from ill advise.

I'll pass. Normally I build my own (because ones you build are generally much better than ones you can just buy off the shelf. Unless you like tweaking them) but in a moment of childish impulse buying I currently have one that is was top of the line several months ago. Of course its not obsolete to even newer models and here I am, like some kind of amateur, currently trying to fix it up as best as I am able with my increasingly limited time.

quarian problems

Does it still come standard with their much vaunted Hyper Operating System?

If so, I think I'll pass on Ariake again this year.

Great to read this. I am of course a bit biased about Ariake products lately, but I got the chance to test this new series already. It's not exactly what I need, I stick with their Genesis, it's better at handling holo a matrix. For those that are into fabricator abilities this is really the thing.

We got a shipment of these ourselves. I'm using my rule of "Sell them and see if numerous people come in with the same problem," before buying.

Great advertisement. I don't know, from a potential customer's perspective that Schmidt guy has the better approach.

But Ariake is out of my reach anyway price-wise.

Hey, it's called being ahead of the curve- whenever new tech drops, I give it a while and see if complaints are coming in. Hasn't screwed me over once.

That's cool from a buyers perspective but I understand you sell electronics. So it comes across as running field tests on customers you know. I rather hear some opinions and reviews like Schmidt's before I buy something.

No offense, don't know neither of your shops after all.

Save yourself a lot of grief and just build your own as I said earlier (if you can afford the parts) you can even poke around on the extranet a little to find yourself advice and what suits you best.

--this is my mandatory 'nice' post for the month

She's right. If you're willing to spend more time looking around you can usually find parts cheap too. It is a tradeoff between how much you value your time compared to your actual credits but I find BYO is worth it. Best of all, there's no stupid OEM software to deal with.

Wow, I'm agreeing with the grumpy quarian.

Yeah, I don’t think that’s for me, I am not an electronics specialist. I am probably more of a user type of guy, I want to buy it, install it, run it. A regular model – cheaper model range even - is doing all I need it to do really. Those companies are way better at setting this up that I would be. I don’t sew my own cloths or weld together my own skycar either after all. Some of you guys might do that I guess.

Actually that leads me to a question… but I’ll make that a new thread since it’s unrelated.

Building an omni-tool yourself is a promising way to injure yourself, I agree. The module is no smaller than the palm of your hand, installing the fine components of the computer microframe will likely either damage your equipment, or yourself. The computational array can often be damaged by air pressure. Tampering will not be kinder.

To say nothing of how dangerous it would be to touch the superconductor.

It's an option if you have a household minifacturing assembler, though one boggles why you would need to do something as frugal as assemble your own omni-tool at that point.

HOW MUCH

Find person what has one. Fight them, take Omni-tool. Make sure mark it with urine or body scent, so others know it yours now.

This simple stuff.

It is a new release, so 200Cr for the base model. For 275Cr, I will throw in an RAM upgrade pack, a storage extension and a value pack omni-gel.
As far I know, the manufacturer combo offers won't be coming for at least 3 months.

Oh, feel free to visit my extranet site, if you aren't on the citadel.

PAY 150!!!!