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View Full Version : The Gadgeteer Reviews the Sony Vaio VGN-UX50 uPC


Ekkie Tepsupornchai
06-16-2006, 09:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/sony_vaio_vgn_ux50_personal_computer' target='_blank'>http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review...rsonal_computer</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Ultra portable PCs (uPC) seem to be really hot right now. With Microsoft's Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) / Origami devices being announced here there and everywhere, it looks like this product category has the potential to become as popular as PDAs were a few years ago... I was more than a little excited when I learned that Sony had decided to announce a new uPC a couple months ago. Not content to jump on the Origami bandwagon, Sony has come out with their own 'everything but the kitchen sink' style device."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/ekkie_sony_ux50_gadgeteer_200606.jpg" /><br /><br />A couple weeks ago, we posted on <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=49095">Digital World Tokyo's review of the Sony UX50</a>. Now the Gadgeteer weighs in with her own opinions and thoughts. Overall she sees this being a valuable device for the mobile professional performing very CPU-light tasks like internet surfing. It's not the ideal device for people who perform slightly more intensive tasks like spreadsheet manipulation or creating PowerPoint presentations. Take a look.

dommasters
06-16-2006, 09:33 PM
This is the FUTURE of PDAs ....
Reminds me of the first iPaqs and how I felt when I saw one for the first time ....

ADBrown
06-16-2006, 09:47 PM
Bah. Thousands of dollars apiece, huge, heavy, runs hot, clumsy to hold, and they're supposed to be popular?

thefunkunfaked
06-16-2006, 11:21 PM
far too extreme, bulky, probably heavy and expensive for my likings.

i'll stick to my htc pocket pc phones.

dommasters
06-16-2006, 11:23 PM
Bah. Thousands of dollars apiece, huge, heavy, runs hot, clumsy to hold, and they're supposed to be popular?
That's how it all starts :wink:

JesterMania
06-16-2006, 11:30 PM
Since it runs Windows XP, can I load any binaries compiled for the desktop versions of Windows XP onto this thing? For example, can I take my version of Dreamweaver for WIndows and run it natively on the UX50?

Jason Dunn
06-16-2006, 11:37 PM
Since it runs Windows XP, can I load any binaries compiled for the desktop versions of Windows XP onto this thing? For example, can I take my version of Dreamweaver for WIndows and run it natively on the UX50?

Yes, that's the whole point. ;-)

whydidnt
06-16-2006, 11:59 PM
This is still a bit bigger and heavier than the OQO, which is probably as big as you can realistically pocket. However, it should provide much better performance as the processor and graphics sub-system are a big step up from what's included in the OQO.

I'm surprised they don't think it will work well for Excel or Powerpoint, since the OQO handles those fine. I'm still tempted to give this a try though, and I agree with the previous poster that this is the future of Handheld computing. Remember how big and heavy the original PPC's were. I still have the original Casio E105 and it seems almost identical in size as the OQO. In 5 years, I imagine we'll be getting full-blown UMPC's in the size of today's PPC's.

Typhoon
06-17-2006, 02:28 AM
Very light CPU tasks?? Isn't the Core Solo 1.06 GHz supposed to perform at least like a Pentium 4 2.1 Ghz or more? Something like that is more than adequately powerful. What app needs more than 1 GHz?? Plus, it's got 512 MB of RAM. I think you just gotta be conservative and don't give it way too many apps to juggle and everything will be okay.

christak
06-17-2006, 03:45 AM
Yeah, well maybe it's not "perfect", but it's darn nice and I like it... If I had a few extra bucks I'd pick one up. I think it would be great for its intended audience, a road warrior who doesn't want/need to lug a full-sized "back breaker" along on short trips... (or a gadget freak, like me). I use my x50v on short trips and use LogMeIn to access my "real" machines at the office and home -- This Sony device would be great for me...
8)

sapibobo
06-17-2006, 02:41 PM
To me this is just another tablet PC competitor, not a real PDA replacement. Win XP shell never intended to use with small screen. There's minimum screen area to work comfortably with it to most people.

However, imho, the key is in the launcher proqram. If Sony or other vendor develops more small-screen-friendly launcher to replace default XP's then I think it has a chance to become a real PDA replacement.

Just my 2 cents.

alese
06-17-2006, 10:37 PM
I guess people confuse few things when they say that such a device can't replace a PDA.
If you consider a PDA, a device that is doing PIM and maybe some notetaking and E-mail, then the statement is correct. UMPC is not a replacement for this, phones are, from dumb ones for very light PIM to smartphones and Phone editions - they are natural replacements for PIM usage on a "classic" PDA.
If you do something more on your PDA, like real work on real applications, like Word, Excel, Power Point or maybe you just want to browse the web or watch video, then such UMPCs are the replacements.
At least they are the replacements for me. I have tried to get my PPCs to do more, to be more like "real" computers, but it was an excercise in frustration. Whatever you do current WM devices are just not capable enough (either hardware or software wise) to be really used as laptop/computer replacements, except maybe if you are willing to live with a lot of compromises and/or your "computer" needs are light.
Sony may be the forst generation, but it allready offers more capabilities, than any single WM device. Yes it's more expensive and little bigger, but you'll have to buy quite a lot of accessories and addon's for (any) WM device to get it even close to what Sony has out of the box.

Ed Hansberry
06-18-2006, 01:27 AM
Bah. Thousands of dollars apiece, huge, heavy, runs hot, clumsy to hold, and they're supposed to be popular?
agreed. the only people I can see using this is someone that has a desktop, no smartphone and wants a modicum of mobility. that and companies like Symbol.

Nurhisham Hussein
06-19-2006, 01:59 AM
I have to agree with alese - I like these alot. I'd get one if I hadn't already bought the previous version (and I never resell stuff). It's not a replacement for my PDA - it's more a replacement for my laptop.

BTW, this Sony's 5th generation uPc - the first three never made it out of Japan, and the 4th was only available outside of Japan in very limited numbers.

2nd BTW: Comparison shots (http://www.handtops.com/forum/2302/0//UX_vrs_OQO_Pics.html#) of OQO and the UX.

lorint
06-21-2006, 08:44 AM
I bought one of these two weeks ago in Japan and have used it lots. It is a great laptop / desktop replacement. Processor power is certainly adequate. I only wish it had more RAM. A gig would have been nice, making it the no-brainer replacement for my laptop.

Want to read more? I blogged about it:

http://geekswithblogs.net/lorint/archive/2006/06/10/81423.aspx

It is easily as fast as my Dell with a 1.8 GHz Centrino.

-Lorin

digital843
06-24-2006, 12:37 AM
Well, I bought one - UX180p(American version). Nearly $2000 with tax - but 12 months no payments/no interest. Mailing July 12. I do have a question. Will I be able to use my favorite PocketPC programs? Some reviews call this a handheld and others a notebook. Any answers? Here or [email protected] Thanks. John

alese
06-24-2006, 08:56 AM
...I do have a question. Will I be able to use my favorite PocketPC programs? Some reviews call this a handheld and others a notebook. Any answers? Here or [email protected] Thanks. John

In short, NO. This is full WindowsXP device, that runs regular Windows software, like Outlook, Office (XP, 2003...), so you can't really run your Windows Mobile (PocketPC) software on it.

digital843
06-24-2006, 08:56 PM
Thanks. Guess I should have realized that when I learned it was XP. In addition, no added memory except the memory stick. Will have to re--record a lot of stuff that is currently on SD. Another question. I have read several reviews and seen the belt carrier but am not clear whether this is included with the UX180p or is an additional cost. All the accessories seem so expensive. I know something comes with the package but in some pictures it just looks like an inexpensive pouch.

John

PS If anyone has any questions after I receive the unit(estimated mid-July) I will try and answer.

alese
06-24-2006, 10:03 PM
...In addition, no added memory except the memory stick. Will have to re--record a lot of stuff that is currently on SD....

You do know that you get a 30Gb hard drive in the device and you also have USB port, so you really don't need Memory Stick...

digital843
06-24-2006, 11:26 PM
All very comforting to know. Thanks again. John