We’ve seen and heard a lot of things about the UMPC. Lately there has been a lot of speculation about the Sony UX series, is this an UMPC or Sony’s answer to the UMPC?
According to Microsoft and Intel, when the UMPC was first announced they said: “The Ultra-Mobile PC is a new kind of computer. It combines the power of Windows XP with mobile-ready technologies that make it easy to access and use your software on the go” Till date we’ve seen many vendors with their own versions of UMPC. Now comes the Sony Vaio UX Series.
Sure it does have the features that all other UMPCs don’t have, but wait is it worth the $1800 – Well we are talking tech and not just style. Sure it does pack
- Intel® Core™ Solo Processor U1400 (1.20 GHz)
- 512 MB of RAM
- 30 GB of Storage with G-Sensor™ HDD Shock Protection
- 4.5″ Wide SVGA LCD, Touch Screen (will this be good enough for the applications that we run on it?)
- 2 Cameras (Why not have just one that rotates)
- Cingular EDGE Card buit in
- Integrated WLAN, WWAN, and Bluetooth® technology
- Integrated Biometric Fingerprint Sensor
- USB 2.0, Memory Stick Duo™ slot, headphone and microphone inputs
- Port replicator which includes three USB 2.0 ports, i. LINK®4, VGA, AV-out, Ethernet, and DC-in, and the VGA adapter includes ports for VGA, Ethernet, and AV-out.
- Built in Sliding Keyboard
Well may be, but we’ll have to wait to see the product in person to judge its features and ease of use. Some thing that really bothers me is the Screen Size, Yep Small is beautiful but when it comes to Screens everyone wants it BIG, and when it comes to gadgets smaller the better.
The unit comes pre-installed with Windows XP (SP2) and seems to be ready for Vista, From the pictures released so far it also appears that sony would pack its own version of touchpack to the product. With the sliding keyboard the need for dialkeys is gone. Yes in many ways the product specs and features looks very promising except for the price. Though the unit comes with microsoft streets installed the optional GPS reciever has to be purchased (price not announced yet)
It would have been great if sony had packed the a SIM card slot in to it and made it a phone too (well it would not be much bigger than those black berries). Go ahead tell us what you think.
A hands on review I read said that screen size is the units biggest problem. I could just manage with the 5″ screen of the OQO. I went ahead and put in a preorder. I hope the instant zoom feature will make viewing better. If not, then I’ll stay with the my Q1, not bad for a first generation mini tablet pc.