PIPO M9pro custom rom + some general question

[ElGullo]

Hi!
I've already searched in the forum a bit but couldnt find an answer.
- Is there any custom rom available for the new PIPO M9pro? Can i just flash the ones for the older model?

Also i have some doubts about buying a PIPO tablet, so i guess this is the right place to ask:

- The pipo pro have better screen resolution, im wondering if this will cause a noticiable decrement in battery life or i shouldnt bother much about this

- I've read in a couple of thread in this forum that users suggest to buy from geekbuying, googling "pipo"
I came across a site (http://www.pipo-store.com/) where the prices are significantly lower, but the official pipo site links to http://www.pipomall.com/ as official shop. Is pipo-store scam?

- the bluetooth/wifi problem have been fixed?

- is overall pipo m9 a good buy? in particular battery life and web browsing speed

Its a lot of question i know! Good advices are welcome

ElGullo

[rrileypm]

I haven't seen a new version of the M9.

You say it is the same tablet with a different screen resolution?

[ElGullo]

Yes, and with 32 Gb and GPS (although im not sure about GPS, some sites say it's included, some that it isnt)

This is the link to geekbuyin:

http://www.geekbuying.com/item/Pipo-M9Pro-RK3188-1-6GHz-10-1-inch-Tablet-PC-Android-4-2-Quad-Core-IPS-Capcaitive-Touch-Screen-1920-1200-2GB-32GB-317492.html

and this is the first result searching on google, it is dated 19 july, so i guess they just released it:

http://blog.geekbuying.com/index.php/2013/07/19/pipo-introduces-32gb-m9pro-m9pro-3g-version-tablet/#.Uex1Y43xpw0

[rrileypm]

Well, I saw the ad on the pipomall site, and sure enough it is a "B" version with a higher screen resolution, but I haven't seen a posting on the Pipo Support site for it...nor an official firmware.

I will be happy to do a ROM for this tablet, if I can get a copy of the firmware.

[ElGullo]

yes, the pipomall site says its M9pro-Wifi-B
I've searched a bit for a firmware but couldnt find it..
All i was able to find was this http://www.pipo.cn/En/index.php?m=About&a=gujian but i think you are already aware of it.

If there's a way i will gladly dump it for you, if I end up buying it, the reseller say it is 4.2.2 from stock

[rrileypm]

Sounds great!!!!!

If you get one, I would be happy to do a ROM from your dump file.

All I need is:

system.img
boot.img
misc.img
recovery.img
parameter
and whatever loader it has

I would be interested in knowing how this new tablet performs.

[spectra9]

Just a heads up, new M9 Pro FW at:

3G: http://pan.baidu.com/share/link?shar...&uk=1946954351
Non 3G: http://pan.baidu.com/share/link?shar...&uk=1946954351

I wonder if this can be applied to the M9 also...

[rrileypm]

We might run into screen driver issues between the two different versions.

I just downloaded them...getting ready to unpack. I will verify that this is for the new version with the higher screen resolution.

[ElGullo]

I ended up buying the M9pro Wifi version on pipomall.
When (and if XD) it will arrive i'll try to dump you those files if its still needed, and maybe do some kind of review/first impression..
We'll see..

[rrileypm]

Cool!!!!!

I've actually just finished making a ROM from the firmware I downloaded for the wifi version. Tattman65 should have some boot screens for me in a couple of days....so I won't post it until then.

By the time you get yours, there will be a RileyROM ready for you to flash.

Let me know how your experience with Pipomall works out. I'm not too familiar with them.

[ElGullo]

Awesome to hear that!!!

Pipomall seems to be the official reseller, with lower prices (higher than pipo-store but that site looks like scam to me) and something like 45 days return/1 year free repair (exept shipping :/)
Lets see how it goes..
I will keep you updated!

[ElGullo]

I received an update mail from pipomall asking me these 2 question:

1) To ensure legal import according to Customs law in different country, we strongly suggest declaring the item you buy as its real name and value.If you agree, we will declare it as "a tablet pc, US$ 289.90”. Can we do that?

2) Dear friend, M9pro is still under repeat quality test in production line. you are our esteemed client, we really hope to provide the best quality item to make you satisfied with PIPO. Can you please wait for several days? The test may complete this week, we will send an Email to tell you the latest information for M9pro on Friday, hoping you can understand!

Should i tone down the price a little bit?
What do you guys think about the second question? I'm really confused about it..

[rrileypm]

PIPO M9pro custom rom + some general question

I have seen several sites that "pre sell" devices before they are actually released or even made. It is kind of a gamble, because if there is an unexpected delay at the factory...you end up having to wait longer than you like.

I haven't experienced Pipomall, but from my dealings with Geekbuying...newer devices are hard to find in the "market" until they are more established. They find out about new devices before they go into production. For those of us are hungry for the next best thing...pre sales are offered.

Likely what is happening is that a component is missing at the factory, and they can't make the tablets, yet. Sometimes Pipo will start production and have to change a component. This causes them to have to release a different version with an alternate component. Usually, they have to change the firmware to accommodate the different component (like wifi or something). This happened with the original M9, which has a new PCB version and a old PCB version.

Luckily, most of those first run devices don't find their way out of China much. I don't get many requests for the old PCB ROMs. And Pipo hasn't updated the old version in a while. Other factories release firmware updated based on ranges of serial numbers...I try to stay away from doing ROMs for them, unless I have a specific request.

I feel your pain.

I'm not sure about having to declare a value on something you are receiving. Some countries have some pretty strange regulations regarding duties. It is best to be truthful...unless you fully understand the risks. So far we don't have that problem in the US with regard to Internet commerce, but the politicians are pushing hard to tax the crap out of this stuff.


Randy

[jimac]

For what it is worth, the M9 Pro (WiFi version) is now shipping the "B" on the site just denotes the colour.
It has only been on-sale for a few days.

The 3G version (which is what I am waiting for) is not available yet.
Also, for the moment only available in black.

Regarding Pipo-store and PipoMall.....

One of my colleagues ordered a U8 about two weeks ago, using DHL shipping, took about a week to arrive, which is pretty good, that was from Pipo-store.

Pipo mall are advertising as pre-sale (despite having "In Stock" on the pics) they deal with a few of the Chinese manufacturers, like Ainol and Cube too.

Prices actually work out pretty similar once you include shipping, but pipo-store offers 3-5 day express shipping, pipomall is 12-14 express shipping, or something like that if I remember correctly.

Hope that's of some use. I am intending on buying the M9Pro 3G when it shows up in stock from pipo-store (for the quick tracked shipping via DHL Express)

[ElGullo]

Thank you both for infos and explanation!

It's sad that those product are marked as "in stock", it's kinda cheesy..
I asked some more information about those "tests" and I'm now waiting for their mail, anyway I guess that all i can do is wait..
Hopefully I'll get an updated and good working tablet..

(Just for record i decided to declare 149.90 dollars, searching on internet i find out that if they inspect you package they may charge you some more if they dont trust you. But you can always say that the seller wrote the wrong numbers on the package.. It's worth trying)

@jimac:
I ended up buying on pipomall just cause i had no feedback about pipo-store and pipomall seemed the official store..

As you say, the price end up being the same cause the shipping price on pipomall is 14 dollars lower.
About shipping, even pipomall ships with DHL and its advertised as trackable, the shipping time is said to be 4-12 working days so it should hopefully be about a week.

If your colleague had a good experience with pipo-store i guess that's the way to go!


As usual I'll add more information when I'll get to know them!