Sony Unveils the VAIO UX Micro PC (UMPC Competitor)

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://news.sel.sony.com/en/press_room/consumer/computer_peripheral/notebooks/release/22130.html' target='_blank'>http://news.sel.sony.com/en/press_r...ease/22130.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"SAN DIEGO, May 16, 2006 – Sony Electronics today introduced the VAIO® UX Micro PC, placing full-size computer performance in a pocket-sized package. Weighing just over a pound, the new PC has a Microsoft® XP Professional operating system and an Intel® Core™ Solo Ultra Low Voltage CPU for fast processing and long battery life. The UX model also features a 4.5-inch wide SVGA screen with XBRITE™ technology for viewing that slides up to expose an integrated keyboard. This allows you to access familiar applications easily in the same way you would on a full-sized computer."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/ekkie_sony_vaio_micro_pc_200605.jpg" /><br /><br />So don't get the UX Micro PC confused with the Ultra Mobile PC (despite the fact that both could probably be represented using the same UMPC acronym). If you combine these two lines with the OQO, there's no doubt that the heavy hitters are targeting the same market segment with these mobile PC units. The real question is whether any of them will catch on or not. Actually, I know what will make this Sony stand out! It's the MemoryStick slot! That alone makes me want to shell out the $1800 USD for it! ;)

[Menneisyys]

There have been a lot of talk already on this device in the OQO Yahoo newsgroup - it's worth checking out. Also, my remarks on the device (from my blog post here (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&amp;p=814&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1)):

These three devices are indeed very appealing. The hardware is based on Intel CPU's (even the low-end model, the UX-90S will have a Celeron M, which, as all notebook freaks know, isn't significantly slower than Pentium M's of the same CPU clock speed; it's only that they don't support speedstep and, therefore, chew through the battery far faster) and, therefore, will be significantly faster than that of the two OQO models (the OQO 01 only has an 1 GHz Transmeta Crusoe, which is significantly slower than even the Intel Celeron M). Its hard drive, taking the size of the unit (15 x 9.5 x 3.2-3.8cm) and the capacity (20-30 GB) into account, can be no bigger than 1.8", which will also mean it'll be pretty slow (no wonder IBM has switched back to using 2.5" HDD's in the latest X-series subnotebooks, the X60/X60s) but, knowing Sony, I think they will still be able to come up with something usable and not completely ruined by a very slow HDD.

The built-in Intel GMA950 Integrated Graphics Core, as notebook freaks may have already guessed/know, isn't really suited for 3D gaming. That is, it is not at all suited for 3D gaming. While it delivers passable results in synthetic tests, dedicated chipsets completely deliver a K.O. to it in games as can be seen for example in these comarative tests (http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1821803,00.asp). That is - as with all integrated Intel graphics solutions, this chipset (and, therefore, the new Sony UMPC's) isn't for gamers either.

Unfortunately, the unit is considerably (about 1cm/0.4") thicker than the OQO (3.2...3.8 as opposed to 2.28 cm).

Also, the screen resolution, 1,024 x 600 on a 4.5" screen (the OQO has 800*480 at 5" - that is, the Sony has a definite lead here too), makes much more sense than, say, the Averatec UMPC (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&amp;title=averatec_announces_cheap_3g_sxga_wi_fi_u&amp;more=1&amp;c=1&amp;tb=1&amp;pb=1), which will (?) have a SXGA (1280*1024) 5" screen - a definite, unnecessary overkill.

Also, the price of the unit, while not very cheap for US buyers compared to the OQO (the 20Gbyte Celeron M model starts at $1350 and the highest-end model is around $1900, which is around the price of the OQO), will be quite a bargain for European buyers (who, in general, need to shell out far more money for the same device than American customers) - if Sony indeed ships the units at the given price (700-1000 UK Pounds, depending on the configuration). It's still at least three times more expensive than a high-end PDA (not taking into the HTC Universal into account) like the Fujitsu-Siemens Pocket Loox 720, N560 or the HP iPAQ hx4700, though.

As the announcement is brand new, nothing other is known of the device. Speculations have already started - for example, on the OQO mailing list (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/oqopc/).

Depending on the alternates, this device may prove to be a decent pocket-sized companion to my heavy and big, but, screen-wise, top-notch (1600*1200 FlexView/IPS - its screen is approximately as good as that of, say, the iPAQ HP hx4700 and the VGA Fujitsu-Siemens Pocket PC's) IBM Thinkpad a31p. I may not get a Thinkpad x60/x60s, after all (albeit the x60s with the Ultralight screen is certainly appealing - if the screen is indeed as good as it is said to be).

[Raphael Salgado]

God, this is getting to be very, very tempting.

The UX50, the Japanese version, is previewed on Digital World Tokyo here:

http://www.digitalworldtokyo.com/2006/05/handson_with_sonys_ux50_handhe.php

The Japanese version has a CF slot in addition to the MemoryStick slot.
The US version has no CF slot, but has EDGE capability and comes with a Cingular SIM card. :!:

If I decide to get this device, I could either tether the Treo 700w's EvDO connection via Bluetooth, or trade off the 700w for a... eek, regular phone, drop the Unlimited EvDO and just get a data plan on the SIM card (may be similar prices, but no way similar in speed).

Either way, I'm looking at videoconferencing via Skype, MSN Messenger, or AOL, something that should have been implemented on Pocket PCs a long time ago. (On a sidenote, I've been told by a Cingular rep that the 3G rollout in the US will NOT have video telephony as UK 3G carriers do. They will only have video downstreaming of TV, movies, video clips, etc. Bleh. So much for a HTC Universal-like device on Cingular's 3G network and making video calls. Looks like the best workaround will be the UX180P.)

According to DWT, "The UX50 will go on sale in Japan on May 27 and in the U.S. in July. In Japan it will cost around ¥170,000 (US$1,547) and in the U.S. will cost about $1,800, Sony said." Anyone planning to go to Japan anytime soon? If you can't wait, GeekStuff4U (www.geekstuff4u.com) is importing these guys from Japan with a hefty premium, but comes with a 3-year warranty (back to Sony Japan).

If you can wait, Sony USA will have them first week of July at $1799.99 or financed at $51 a month. Hmm! Fully loaded 1.2GHz version with Windows XP and a 30GB drive, but a 1-year Sony US warranty.

Yes, I've been doing my homework on it, and cringing to press the Submit Order button... 8O

[dommasters]

I like it. I'd buy it. I'm drooling.....

[Fritzly]

Will these devices be Sim-locked in any way? The fact they ship with a Cingular card concerns me. Are they also available with UMTS standard?
TIA
Fritzly

[ricksfiona]

Thiis one good looking device. Specs aren't too bad either. I'll take the CF Card over the EDGE/Memory Stick version anytime.

It's too expensive though AND it only has a 4.5" screen. Now that I've seen the 7" on the UMPC, I can't go back.

The Sony is REALLY a Pocket PC on steroids. At $1200, it would be very tempting. However, I'm not cancelling my TabletKiosk order just yet.

[jkendrick]

Actually, all of the UX models use an Intel Core Solo processor, not the Celeron.

[Raphael Salgado]

I saw JK and his review of the TabletKiosk eo UMPC and my first impression is, "Wow, that's big."

I Photoshopped and measured out the Treo 700w, the Dell Axim X51v, and the UX180P. This is what it will look like is comparison.

http://www.beyondthetech.com/downloads/images/fun/x51v_ux180p_700w.jpg

It's still pocketable, but would you want to slip in a $1800 device in your pocket without some skin or protection?

In case you've owned or seen the previous U series (U50/U70P/U750P), here's a size comparison of the two.

http://www.beyondthetech.com/downloads/images/fun/ux180p_u70p.jpg

[Menneisyys]

Actually, all of the UX models use an Intel Core Solo processor, not the Celeron.

Thanks for the clarification; the Register article (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/05/16/sony_unveils_vaio_ux/) stated "The UX-90S has a 20GB hard drive and a choice of Celeron M or Core Solo U1300 CPU." That is, even the cheapest model will have a P-M, not just a C-M?

[Nurhisham Hussein]

Menny, here's the product rundown from dynamism.com (http://dynamism.com/ux/specs.shtml)

But fil at www.handtops.com posted this as well:

UX180P: US version
Intel Core Solo Processor U1400 (1.20 GHz), Windows XP Professional SP2, Integrated Wireless Wide Area Network (WAN) accessing Cingular Wireless National EDGE Network, 512MB RAM,30GB, 4.5"5 Wide SVGA LCD, Touch Screen

VGN-UX50: 169,800 yen
Windows XP Professional (SP2), Core Solo U1300（1.06 GHz）, 512MB, 30GB, Microsft Office Personal 2003

VGN-UX90PS: Japan version (customizable)
Windows XP Home Edition (SP2), Celeron M 423（1.06 GHz）, 512MB, 30GB, 147,800 yen
Windows XP Professional (SP2), Core Solo U1400（1.20 GHz）, 512MB, 30GB, 189,800 yen
Windows XP Professional (SP2), Core Solo U1400（1.20 GHz）, 512MB, 30GB, Microsft Office Personal 2003, 209,800 yen

Link to original post (http://www.handtops.com/forum/2161/0//UX_model_run_down.html#)

So you can get a Celeron model but only in Japan - but to my mind, apart from price, what's the point?

[Menneisyys]

So you can get a Celeron model but only in Japan - but to my mind, apart from price, what's the point?

Well, with a $400 price difference, the Celeron-M model isn't that bad a buy. All depends on its power consumption (C-M models are generally worse in that area only because of the lack of SpeedStep).

[Nurhisham Hussein]

Well, with a $400 price difference, the Celeron-M model isn't that bad a buy. All depends on its power consumption (C-M models are generally worse in that area only because of the lack of SpeedStep).

Yeah, I know. I've got the Vaio U8G (a U50 variant) with Celeron M, and while its a fine machine otherwise, the battery life sucks badly.

[Stephen Beesley]

I like this - I like this alot. In fact it is what I was hoping the UMPC would be (apart from the smaller screen maybe).

If I had the cash then I think this would definately be the way I would go for my mobile computing. But, and it is a big but, that is the catch. I just cannot imagine ever being able to justify spending that much money (particularly when you think that this thing will probably sell for around $2,000 AUD here in Oz, if it sells at all) for something like this.

Pity.....

[Stake]

Will these devices be Sim-locked in any way? The fact they ship with a Cingular card concerns me. Are they also available with UMTS standard?
TIA
Fritzly

A friend told me that someone had one of the ultralight Vaio laptops with WWAN and wanted to use their T-Mobile SIM instead of Cingular. They called Sony and the Sony rep gave them the unlock code without hessitation. I think that this would apply as well so I wouldn't be too worried. If not, just keep calling until someone does give you a code.

[Eriq Cook]

XP Pro? No touch screen. Sony memory card? Ehh. $1800? Hell no.

[Nurhisham Hussein]

XP Pro?

XP Pro is available as an option, if you purchase from Dynamism.

No touch screen.

:?: It does have a touch screen.

Sony memory card? Ehh.

:lol: No argument here!

$1800? Hell no.

Better specs than most UMPCs, and a real keyboard to boot. Actually slightly cheaper than the Dualcore, and about the same price as the OQO. For it's market, the price is appropriate.

[Menneisyys]

Better specs than most UMPCs, and a real keyboard to boot. Actually slightly cheaper than the Dualcore, and about the same price as the OQO. For it's market, the price is appropriate.

Agreed. These Sonys aren't in bad in any way. I'd definitely choose them instead of a 7-8" UMPC mostly because of their size. UMPC's aren't pocketable and must be lugged around separately (while still not offering the same power, durability, reliability, battery life etc. as, say, a Thinkpad x60s); this one is.

[christak]

I'm very interested in this device. The price is a bit high for my personal "gadget discretionary funds", but I think this thing would really make a "road warrior" smile...

From personal experience, lugging a full size laptop on business trips can be a real chore -- especially when passing through airport security screenings. For short trips, I travel with my x50v and leave the laptop at the office -- not the best solution... For long trips, the laptop has to go with me -- all 7 pounds of it plus accessories/case...

I really don't see much missing in the UX-series and believe that OQO will have to improve its product to successfully compete... (FYI, we have an OQO 01 at the office - I like it, but the Sony UX seems much better.)
8)

[Raphael Salgado]

Ok, someone call me crazy.

I pre-ordered it on SonyStyle.com because they offered free shipping (which probably would have been like $50). Still got hit with $108 in NJ taxes.

They won't charge my card until it ships, so I have time to think about it and cancel the order if I come back to reality or find something better before then.

I've been waiting forever for the Vulcan FlipStart PC (http://www.flipstartpc.com), but it looks like it's been vaporware or a years-long-April Fools Joke all along. Nothing has changed on the site since I first visited it - no ETA, no pricing, no nothing.

JK is probably right. Sony killed the OQO if you're going to compare features and specs.

OQO Model 01+: 1GHz Transmeta CPU
512MB RAM
30GB hard drive
800x480 5" screen with active digitizer (Tablet PC compliant)
802.11b WLAN
Bluetooth
1394 Firewire
USB 2.0
8MB dedicated video RAM
3-hour battery life
weighs 14 ounces
4.9" x 3.4" x 0.9"
$1900-2100 price tag, depending on XP version

Sony VAIO VGN-UX180P: 1.2GHz Intel Core Solo CPU
512MB RAM
30GB hard drive
1024x600 4.5" screen with passive digitizer
802.11a/b/g WLAN
GPRS/EDGE WWAN via Cingular
Bluetooth 2.0
1394 Firewire
USB 2.0
Intel GMA950 video with 128MB shared RAM
Memory Stick slot
biometric finger sensor
0.3MP/1.3MP front and rear-facing cameras
4.5-hour battery life
weighs 19.2 ounces
5.91" x 3.74" x 1.27-1.50" (curved shaped due to batteries)
$1800 price tag with Windows XP Pro SP2

[egandt]

Seems like a nice product, but a few issues I see:

1. Weight, on one of the sites they said 552 grams thats 1.2 pounds, damn

2. No CF card on the US model (CF card means an extra 10GB when needed), thats 25% extra storage

3. Memory stick (since everything else I own is SD or CF) useless to me

4. Stuck with Cingular service with the device in US, (not confirmed, but seems likely).

5. Battery they say 3.5 hours, well that means 2 hours, not much portablity there.

ERIC

[Menneisyys]

For long trips, the laptop has to go with me -- all 7 pounds of it plus accessories/case...

That's a lot - my high-end Thinkpad a31p desktop replacement (DTR) notebook weighs in that much. Is yours also a desktop replacement notebook? Why don't you just get a (lighweight - some 2.3 pounds) Thinkpad x60s - or, if 4-5 pounds are still acceptable, a T60?

[btorbik]

I don't get the hype surrounding UMPCs, whether it's Sony, Samsung, OQO or whatever. They all appear to be overpriced, less functional and have significant compromises in terms of battery life relative to the slightly larger ultra-portable (3.5 lb) notebooks.

I just purchased a VERY well equipped IBM/Lenovo ThinkPad X60s (3.2 lbs) with a Core Duo CPU, Bluetooth, 8-hr battery, 60GB drive, etc. and a 3-year warranty for $1449.

HP's new NC2400 weighs in at ~ 3.5 lbs and can be had, well configured, for under $1500. Walter Mossberg gave it a pretty good review in Thu's Wall Street Journal.

Given the availability of ultraportable notebooks at very reasonable prices, why would anyone want a more costly and less functional UMPC?

[Menneisyys]

I don't get the hype surrounding UMPCs, whether it's Sony, Samsung, OQO or whatever. They all appear to be overpriced, less functional and have significant compromises in terms of battery life relative to the slightly larger ultra-portable (3.5 lb) notebooks.

I just purchased a VERY well equipped IBM/Lenovo ThinkPad X60s (3.2 lbs) with a Core Duo CPU, Bluetooth, 8-hr battery, 60GB drive, etc. and a 3-year warranty for $1449.

HP's new NC2400 weighs in at ~ 3.5 lbs and can be had, well configured, for under $1500. Walter Mossberg gave it a pretty good review in Thu's Wall Street Journal.

Given the availability of ultraportable notebooks at very reasonable prices, why would anyone want a more costly and less functional UMPC?

Exactly my sentiments. A fully-fledged, durable x60s may prove much better than UMPC's in every respect. The latter will surely have their initial share of problems (let's not forget some UMPC manufacturers haven't ever manufactured notebooks and, therefore, may not have any experience in making them durable).

As far as the new Sony (and the OQO) is concerned, the magic word is pocketability and PC compliance IMHO.

[christak]

For long trips, the laptop has to go with me -- all 7 pounds of it plus accessories/case...

That's a lot - my high-end Thinkpad a31p desktop replacement (DTR) notebook weighs in that much. Is yours also a desktop replacement notebook? Why don't you just get a (lighweight - some 2.3 pounds) Thinkpad x60s - or, if 4-5 pounds are still acceptable, a T60?

Mine is indeed a desktop replacement (Dell) and an older one at that -- it is due for replacement in the next few months... I will likely be going with a 3 to 4 pound (or lighter) laptop in the very near future provided I can find one that meets my needs and company budget constraints...

[jkendrick]

Seems like a nice product, but a few issues I see:

5. Battery they say 3.5 hours, well that means 2 hours, not much portablity there.

ERIC

The Sony U71 gets at least 3 hours out of a charge and I expect at least this much from the UX. Sony does battery life right.

[Nurhisham Hussein]

The Sony U71 gets at least 3 hours out of a charge and I expect at least this much from the UX. Sony does battery life right.

Agreed. While I might complain about my U8G's battery life, Sony's claim for it is right on the money. And that's with wifi on - you can get quite a bit more with it off and the screen brightness turned down.

[midtoad]

Competitor? The originally mentioned price-point for the UMPC was $500. This thing is more than 3 times that price! It's almost 3 times of my notebook. And the battery life isn't signficantly improved. How does that gigantic disparity qualify this thing to be characterised as a competitor?

I'd like a device that provides internet connectivity and a real operating system (not Windows Mobile), and has a reasonable screen size. A slightly larger version of the Nokia 770 would do.

If you can afford to spend $1800 of your own money on a device like this, why not consider skipping the purchase and instead bump up your charitable donations - it would be a better use of resources.

jm2cw
S

[Menneisyys]

It's almost 3 times of my notebook.

I seriously doubt you can get a decent, reliable, durable, new notebook for $600. Really nice, reliable notebooks (not ones that break after opening the lid 50-60 times and must be taken into repair several times a year), for example, the Thinkpad X or T series, start at $1500.

That is, this isn't a fair comparison. Comparing the price to that of the OQO is definitely more fair.

[k1darkknight]

I won't bore everyone with yet another long-winded MemorySuck rant. Suffice it to say, though, that even if this brick was only $900, I wouldn't go for it, just because it has a MemoryStank slot. Hell, I'm even ignoring the PSP, just for this reason. The only Sony products I'll EVER buy are those w/o any sort of MemorySick slot, AND that don't have a cheaper, comparable competitor for said product. Which pretty much narrows it down to the PS2.

Sony: thanks, but I'll pass.

[xdev]

dell inspiron 1XXX and 2XXX series are cheap and reliable. not as sturdy as a thinkpad, but then again not many brands come close to the "ruggedness" of a thinkpad!!

[Menneisyys]

dell inspiron 1XXX and 2XXX series are cheap and reliable. not as sturdy as a thinkpad, but then again not many brands come close to the "ruggedness" of a thinkpad!!

"Cheap" and "reliable" are diametrically opposed when it comes to notebooks, I think :)

The (particularly the older, nx9000 series) NX and the Pavilion of HP, the Toshi Satellite, the Acer Aspire, the Fujitsu-Siemens Amilo, the Dell Inspiron, and, to a lesser degree, the IBM Thinkpad R series (particularly the 'e' ones) aren't as good as either the considerably more expensive, non-consumer (non-retail-only), business-targeted notebooks of the same manufacturers.

Notebooks must endure far more wear-and-tear than anything else in electronics (OK, except for mobile phones). This is why build quality, the casing, the warranty etc. is of extreme importance with them.

[Nurhisham Hussein]

Competitor? The originally mentioned price-point for the UMPC was $500. This thing is more than 3 times that price! It's almost 3 times of my notebook. And the battery life isn't signficantly improved. How does that gigantic disparity qualify this thing to be characterised as a competitor?

You'll note that anything in this size class (of which there are very, very few) are all in this price range (OQO, Dualcor, Libretto, P1510D, Flybook etc). Further, none of the announced UMPCs (which are nearer ultraportable size) are anywhere near $500, are in fact at least double that level. Trust me, if you've ever held a 550gm notebook in one hand and a 2kg 'light' notebook in the other you'll understand the difference in price.

[ipaq_wannabe]

sonystyle japan is offering this for installment payments at 0% interest rate...

i could get an order-made model that cost about US$1,500 (about JPY180,000) for only US$120 (JPY15,000) per month...!!!

but the question is - is it worth getting?

if you would need to have this as your laptop replacement when you travel - you also need to get yourself either a USB or BT keyboard...

then the L-size battery that allows 7 hours of use --> JPY34,800 (about US$290)...!!!

then there is the DUO slot that ill never use - unless transferring data to/fro my PSP (but the PSP has USB Mass Storage - so, what is the point then?)...

hhhmmm.... thoughts anyone?