The Gadgeteer Gets a New Look and Reviews the Sony Vaio VGN-U71P

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://new.the-gadgeteer.com/review/1207' target='_blank'>http://new.the-gadgeteer.com/review/1207</a><br /><br /></div><i>"I've always been a huge fan of very small computers and have had several such devices throughout the years. A few notable ones come to mind... Remember the REX PC Companion? It was a PDA in a PCMCIA card form factor. What about the hard to find IBM PC110 palmtop computer? Then there was the Toshiba Libretto. I had those devices over 5 yrs ago or so. In more recent years, I've had the Sharp Zaurus C750 and then the Fujitsu Lifebook. The Lifebook was my travel computer, going with me to trade shows and on vacations. Last year, I took another trip down PowerBook lane, and bought a PowerBook. At that time, I ended up giving the Lifebook to my sister. After I sold the PowerBook, I was without a travel computer. Since then, I've been on the look out for the perfect travel companion. One that wouldn't weigh me down while jogging through an airport, but would be able to handle all the tasks I could throw at it without complaining. When I saw the Sony Vaio U71, I knew I had to get my hands on one as it looked to be the perfect combination of size and power."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/sony-vaio-u71p-1.jpg" /><br /><br />The Sony Vaio VGN-U71P (gee, catchy name!) represents the latest effort from Sony in the ultra-portable computing category. It's an interesting device, but it doesn't particularly strike my fancy because it's still too big - if I need to travel light, I only take my Smartphone with me. If I need to do more data intensive work, I take my Pocket PC. And if I need to be really productive, I take my Fujitsu P5010D laptop with dual batteries and 10 hours of run time. A device like this Sony Vaio just doesn't fit into my work flow - what about yours?

[atrain]

Id love something like that...

I dont realy care about size, as long as i have power...

ok screen + ok input method + internet connection, i have everything i need....

That thing is great for movies on the road, and some games....
Also, nice screen.

[BevHoward]

Am also interested in this... spent a little time with a similar model at Fry's and liked what I saw... very intuitive interface and uses a touch stylus unlike most tablets.

The latter (touch screen) drew some unfavorable comments from tablet users who indicated that doing so poses a significant disadvantage, so would suggest soliciting input from tablet gurus.

Finally, am pretty sure that the model I looked at has a pcmcia slot where the review shows a CF slot... that would make a significant difference.

[gohtor]

The device is nicely shaped giving a thinner appearance (top &amp; bottom) the lcd is truly impressive. nice as a MCE device. Has firewire support so it can double as a really expensive EXT camcorder viewer and backup device like what my friend is using it for.

[MitchellO]

I don't think any version of thesedevices has a PCMCIA slot. Too big.

[whydidnt]

The latter (touch screen) drew some unfavorable comments from tablet users who indicated that doing so poses a significant disadvantage, so would suggest soliciting input from tablet gurus.

I haven't had a chance to play with one of these, but I can tell you that on the OQO, the lack of a rtrue touch screen is a detriment. The OQO uses the Electro Static (is that what it's called?) screen like tablet PC's and it's not near as useful for a small device such as this. The disadvantage of a PPC-like touch screen for a larger tablet is that you typically may rest your hand on the screen while writing. However, for these small devices that isn't an issue, so that advantage is lost. I often find myself tapping a dialog box with my finger on the OQO only to realize I have to pull out the special pen, or click with the mouse button. This is one of the major reasons I haven't dumped my PPC in favor of the OQO, but that's probably best served in another thread.

[BevHoward]

>> hand on the screen while writing &lt;&lt;

Good info... my initial feeling was that the touch stylus would be an asset, easy replacement, finger use, multi use pens, a redit card corner in a pinch.

It's still high on my laptop replacement list... now about the money ;-)

[BevHoward]

The following relate to the earlier U70 version that I referenced.


http://jkontherun.blogs.com/jkontherun/2004/11/complete_deskto.html
http://news.sel.sony.com/digitalimages/album?album_id=168491
http://news.sel.sony.com/filestorage/download/sd_2004/U750P_Spec.pdf?version_id=168531


You are correct that it had CF... pcmcia was wistful thinking.

[ADBrown]

I had one of this thing's predecessors for a few weeks. They're very nifty little machines, but they're the size of a paperback novel, and they get kind of hot in use. Not to mention the fact that they don't have a built-in keyboard. Definitely more a niche device than anything else.

[wrevans]

Question, I looked on Sony's web site and don't see it, I recall reading a review that it's only sold in Japan, is this true?

[ADBrown]

Technically yes, but you can buy them from gray-market importers like Dynamism, iCube, etc..