"UMPCs (ultra mobile PCs) have been around for 2 years or so in the relative mainstream. Long enough that we've seen several very different designs from the tiny OQO to the sleek slider Sony Vaio UX to those that resemble traditional handhelds sans keyboard like the Raon Vega. But really, there have been 3 major design camps: the pure slate like the Samsung Q1 Ultra, the extremely compact model with a keyboard that slides down from the bottom (OQO, Sony Vaio UX and others) and more recently the miniature notebook (Fujitsu U810 and Vye). HTC, perhaps the largest manufacturer of Windows Mobile phones has entered the game late with a design that's truly their own. In fact, the HTC Shift looks a lot like a giant HTC Tilt Windows Mobile Pocket PC phone rather than a notebook or UMPC. Cool. The Tilt with its slide out-and-up display is extremely popular and makes even better sense on a Vista ultraportable. The Shift can be used as a slate, as a flat slide-out keyboard device and in a conventional notebook position with the display upright. UMPCs attempt to bridge the gap between the mobility of a PDA and the power of a notebook, and the Shift comes closer than most thanks to its relatively large display and borderline touch-typable keyboard."
If the HTC Shift is high on your wish list, even after all the delays that we were made to sit through, then take a look at
MobileTechReview's... um, review. The device packs both Windows Mobile 6 Professional and Windows Vista, which is a boon for some, and a mind-boggling concept for others. Think it's your cup of tea? Expect to shell out $1,500 for the privilege.
HTC Shift Reviewed
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