Ron Schenone

BumpTop – The First REAL Change To The Windows Desktop

Posted by on Apr 9, 2009 | 14 Comments

Let’s face it. Windows is kind of boring even for those of us who use Windows Vista or even Windows 7. But there is a new kid on the block called BumpTop that will change the way you interact with your computer. BumpTop allows the user to use a *finger, *pen or mouse to dump stuff around the desktop. But be aware that BumpTop has a fairly stiff hardware requirement. 

Minimum Requirements

  • A 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7, with latest service packs
  • A Pentium 4/Celeron 1.8GHz or Athlon XP/Sempron 2200+ or desktop/mobile equivalent
  • Minimum 1GB system memory
  • 15 MB available hard disk space.
  • Intel 915 integrated graphics or Nvidia GeForce 6200 or ATI X300 or better with updated drivers
  • OpenGL 2.0 driver support required (may require additional drivers available at bumptop.com/drivers)
  • Internet connection required for activation

There is another thing that is nice about BumpTop. It is a free download. But will BumpTop be right for you? Give it a try and see what you think and let me know what you find.

I’m trying this on my Windows XP test machine [AMD dual core with 4 GB Ram and a NVIDIA 9500GT displ;ay adapter with 1GB RAM] and will be playing with it for the next few weeks. I will than do a full review with my likes and dislikes. This box boots XP, Vista and Windows 7. 

*One note: To take advantage of touch or pen you need a touch display. Without a touch display you are limited to using the mouse and keyboard. 

Comments welcome.

Download BumpTop

  • http://www.sellyourimage.com/ Kaidyn

    Thank you for posting this, I Have been waiting for the release of this for awhile.

    I remember when this was just being developed and unavailable to the public – I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it.

    But after waiting some time, I forgot about it.

    Thanks for the reminder!

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hi Kaidyn,
    You are welcome. please let me know what you think about BumpTop. I am enjoying using it so far. Your opinion would be appreciated.

  • http://www.overvprojects.nl Overv

    I tried it via *less legal* ways a while ago and thought it was cool to play around with for 5 minutes, but after that I got bored with it and uninstalled it…

  • reaper

    hmm thats a pretty good idea ya have there…..reminds me of microsoft’s surface interface

    i’ll have to dl and try it out :)

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    reaper – let us know what you think.

  • http://www.bufferoverflow.net Jabbawookie

    One more thanks for posting the release. I remember seeing it a few months ago while it was still being developed. I’m looking forward to trying it. I hope it works with my Wacom tablet.

  • reaper

    well on second thought its more like the linux and osx cube where have multiple desktops

    for some reason its interferring with my rocketdock :(

    overall its a great idea but at first glance i just went ugh this is just a curved desktop wtf!

    guess itll have to grow on me

    i’d be more interested if your applications were able to be moved on the top or side walls….say im playing eve and want to watch some random youtube videos…then i could just dock firefox on the side and continue to play

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Reaper ,
    Thanks for getting back to us and sharing your experience. It works fine on my XP test box, but slowed down my Vista laptop. Oh well………………….

  • http://barrygoodman.co.uk Baz

    Firstly, no multiple desktop support. Files displayed in bump top are still on my secondary monitor as well which is a normal desktop. Nice gimmick but I don’t think i could live with it, its slower to respond, a more complex way of organising, I think the reason windows hasn’t changed is because it hasn’t needed to. Don’t get me wrong, when I saw this I too was excited to have a go but its just too slow and gimmicky for me

  • http://barrygoodman.co.uk Baz

    Side note, I dont have a slow pc. I’m running xp pro on E8200 @ 3.2Ghz, 4 gig ocz 800mhz ram and a ati HD 4870

  • reaper

    lol everything slows down in vista :p

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Baz,
    Same here. Dual Core with 4G’s.

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  • Rob F

    got the free version and was smitten. it was slow (was running Vista) so not a shock. Went Windows7 and its amazing – have put my hand in my pocket and paid for the pro version. IMHO this is the best piece of software Ive come across for a long-long time