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View Full Version : Gizmodo Reviews Sony's U50


Janak Parekh
06-29-2004, 09:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.gizmodo.com/archives/sony-vaio-u50-review-awful-laptop-great-pda-016941.php' target='_blank'>http://www.gizmodo.com/archives/son...-pda-016941.php</a><br /><br /></div><i>"It catches eyes, that's for sure. I had forgotten to load the Sony VAIO U50 with any software before our flight home to Kansas City for the weekend, but since an unexpected storm front was blowing in from the north, we had almost two hours to kill while our plane sat, stranded on the tarmac of LaGuardia. Even scrolling through empty file systems was better than the airline magazine. 'Excuse me,' said the man sitting next to me, and I turned too fast to respond, because I knew he had been staring. 'What exactly is that thing, and can you play Spider Solitaire on it?'</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20040629-SonyU50Review.jpg" /><br /><br />Joel over at Gizmodo gives the U50 a pretty thorough review, and comes up with some interesting conclusions. He thinks that it fares poorly for a laptop replacement as it's hard to use the foldable keyboard, etc. However, for him it appears to be <i>"something up to keep next to the bed, with the convenience of a PDA, but none of the limitations"</i>, which I find interesting. If you're looking for a bedside wireless surfing device, I'd agree. But if you're looking for a pocketable contact database, I'd still rate a Pocket PC as a more useful unit than this. (Nevertheless, I still wouldn't mind if someone gave me one of these. ;))

jkendrick
06-29-2004, 09:22 PM
His POV of the U50 is interesting but opposite most reviews I've seen. He didn't take advantage of the strengths of the device by loading his desktop environment on it (empty filesystem reference). He also admits he's not comfortable with the stylus and is rather keyboard-centric which is not the forte of any mobile device like this- even PPCs.

I have a U70 coming end of this week and intend to do a full review of it. My goal is not to replace the PPC but rather my laptop for daily use and we'll see how it goes. Guess I'll finally have to upgrade my network to 802.11g. :)

ricksfiona
06-29-2004, 10:17 PM
That's a SUPER cool looking device. I'll never buy a Sony device though.

ghostppc
06-29-2004, 10:51 PM
:drool: and I don't even know what it does.

x999x
06-29-2004, 10:53 PM
Agreed I cannot ever go back to sony, however it is an interesting device to say the least. Is it's pricepoint similar to the oqo?

jkendrick
06-29-2004, 11:11 PM
The OQO doesn't have a price yet but I expect they'll be close.

Fishie
06-30-2004, 12:07 AM
His POV of the U50 is interesting but opposite most reviews I've seen. He didn't take advantage of the strengths of the device by loading his desktop environment on it (empty filesystem reference). He also admits he's not comfortable with the stylus and is rather keyboard-centric which is not the forte of any mobile device like this- even PPCs.

I have a U70 coming end of this week and intend to do a full review of it. My goal is not to replace the PPC but rather my laptop for daily use and we'll see how it goes. Guess I'll finally have to upgrade my network to 802.11g. :)

He brushed upon it when he said it wasnt useable as such and hey with the keyboard problems he mentioned and using an 800MHz CELERON processor just how much real computing you think you can do with this device?

Seriously, 800MHz Celeron?

Fishie
06-30-2004, 12:08 AM
Oops its 900MHz Celeron.
Still sucks horribly though.

x999x
06-30-2004, 12:09 AM
That said, if I were to choose between the two, I reckon I would have to opt for the oqo based on the number of changes they've made to the device already based on it's test-user feedback. This leads me, the consumer, to believe the oqo would surpass the u50 in functionality. I just hope I'm not being mislead ;)

Jonathon Watkins
06-30-2004, 01:26 AM
That said, if I were to choose between the two, I reckon I would have to opt for the oqo based on the number of changes they've made to the device already based on it's test-user feedback. This leads me, the consumer, to believe the oqo would surpass the u50 in functionality. I just hope I'm not being mislead ;)

Heck, with the amount of time it's taking to release the OQO I'm not surprised. :lol:

I would not go on that a a functionality/usability guide.......

If so, then Duke Nukem Forever (http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,61935,00.html) would be the best game in the world.... ever! :wink:

Interesting looking device, that U50.

jkendrick
06-30-2004, 03:34 AM
That said, if I were to choose between the two, I reckon I would have to opt for the oqo based on the number of changes they've made to the device already based on it's test-user feedback. This leads me, the consumer, to believe the oqo would surpass the u50 in functionality. I just hope I'm not being mislead ;)

How can a device that's not been released be better because they've made changes to that haven't been released either? I just find the OQO following amusing until it's actually up for sale. :)

dh
06-30-2004, 03:39 AM
No question, that U50 does look beautiful. With Calligrapher installed it would be easy to use as a pen based PC.

I'd like to play with one for a while just to see how it feels and works. Future generations of this kind of computer will be really interesting.

jkendrick
06-30-2004, 03:42 AM
PhatWare has PenOffice which is a full suite of pen utilities in addition to the Calligrapher engine. Most users are installing it on the U and getting full Tablet-like capability out of it.

jkendrick
06-30-2004, 03:44 AM
A much better review of the U50 was done by Lisa Gade of PDABuyer'sGuide and can be found here:

http://www.pdabuyersguide.com/notebooks/sony_vaio_U50.htm

Rob Alexander
06-30-2004, 05:44 AM
Hmmm, that is one of the stranger reviews I've read. I could certainly say, in parts, that he gave us more information than we needed (or wanted) to know. Still, I find myself torn. The gadget lover in me really wants one, but the practical side agrees with the end of his review. This would be a great device to own as a suppliment to a desktop, but not at that price or anywhere near it.

Jonathan1
06-30-2004, 08:04 AM
Wow. That was the longest review of nothing I've ever read. I mean generally when you read nothing its about a sentence or two long. This thing was large.
I mean instead of going on about WIFI strength, or battery life, or how fast the system felt, or how well the handwriting recog works, or if its running tablet edition, or or or. Nope, he talks about worrying about pissing on the thing and the pretty Tron blue lights on the keys. :) :roll:

At least he did focus enough on how bad trying to interface with this thing on a desk is. Sony should know better. That keyboard should lock the display in place. :?

Jonathan1
06-30-2004, 08:05 AM
A much better review of the U50 was done by Lisa Gade of PDABuyer'sGuide and can be found here:

http://www.pdabuyersguide.com/notebooks/sony_vaio_U50.htm

Now THAT'S a review.

pdagal
06-30-2004, 08:30 PM
Thanks, Jonathan :)

- Lisa


http://www.pdabuyersguide.com/notebooks/sony_vaio_U50.htm

Now THAT'S a review.

dh
06-30-2004, 10:51 PM
Thanks, Jonathan :)

- Lisa


http://www.pdabuyersguide.com/notebooks/sony_vaio_U50.htm

Now THAT'S a review.
Well I for one refuse to read your review Lisa.

I happened to read your C860 review and it ended up costing me $700.00 because I just had to get one. I simply can't afford to visit your site anymore. :D

pdagal
06-30-2004, 11:09 PM
*laugh* Now, wasn't that the best $700 you've ever spent? :lol: .

I'm still loving my C860, though my wallet is thinner!




Well I for one refuse to read your review Lisa.

I happened to read your C860 review and it ended up costing me $700.00 because I just had to get one. I simply can't afford to visit your site anymore. :D

dh
06-30-2004, 11:13 PM
*laugh* Now, wasn't that the best $700 you've ever spent? :lol: .
Yes it was :D

And thanks to the interesting Sharp policy of refusing to let anyone buy their products, we are members of a very exclusive group.

By the way, you should add StageOne to your list of great Zaurus apps. I use it everyday and it's just brilliant.