Engadget's Gets Their Hands on the Sony UX180P

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/07/hands-on-with-sonys-would-be-umpc-killer-the-ux180p/' target='_blank'>http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/07/...ler-the-ux180p/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Sony is never a company to back down from raising a few eyebrows or ruffling a few feathers in the standards game, and so shall it be with the not-quite-UMPC UX180P. There's little question that the UX whips up on the current crop of UMPCs in the marketplace, sporting a more powerful processor, higher-res screen, integrated keyboard and EDGE -- but at $1800, it needs to. And right there lies the million-dollar question: at almost double the cost of a UMPC, does the UX serve its function? And what exactly is its function, for that matter? Read on for our take on the answers, along with some in-depth imagery."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/ekkie_engadget_ux180p_handson_20060710.jpg" /><br /><br />Engadget gives us their hands-on impressions of Sony's UMPC-competitor, accompanied with photos of the device, its accessories, and overall packaging. They conclude by stating their preference between the Sony UX, the OQO, and UMPC. So which way to do they lean? Check out the article to find out.

[dommasters]

I'm reading the review whilst a pool of drool deepens all around me :D
Love it.

[posiedon7]

Buddy of mine received his on July5th. Reminds me of Sony Clie PEG UX50 on steroids. Keyboard could be better, flat keys are a pain, using stylus is a workaround. Also this thing is smaller then its predecessor which makes the screen slightly smaller. Still a good resolution.

All in all pretty nifty machine. I am seriously in the decision mode on whether or not to pull the trigger. He has it working on BT DUN with his PPC 6700 and its reporting decent speeds. Coupled with the new Sony BT headset (which allows multiple connections) this could be a definite replacement to a laptop or notebook.

[alese]

I would love to get this, if I could afford one...

[IpaqMan2]

I could totally use something like this. People who can't see a market for a device like this has a very narrow vision.

Here's a good example of how a device like this can be used. I have been taking inventory of nearly 500 different servers we have at our locations. I am literally on my hands and knees behind the rackmounts and in front trying to get everything from each devices serial number to the different type's of connections and ports each server has. Too narrow of place to be using a laptop, so I have been using my PPC-6700 to enter all this information onto a excel sheet - but wish I had something like this device from sony with a bit bigger screen and wider thumboard. But the price is just way too high and I can not justify it.

[posiedon7]

I could totally use something like this. People who can't see a market for a device like this has a very narrow vision.

Here's a good example of how a device like this can be used. I have been taking inventory of nearly 500 different servers we have at our locations. I am literally on my hands and knees behind the rackmounts and in front trying to get everything from each devices serial number to the different type's of connections and ports each server has. Too narrow of place to be using a laptop, so I have been using my PPC-6700 to enter all this information onto a excel sheet - but wish I had something like this device from sony with a bit bigger screen and wider thumboard. But the price is just way too high and I can not justify it.

Sell your Lap Top, Get A Desktop and this unit. On the dock it has a standard video plug plus it has a portable dongle with video, and network plug to boot.

It really does kick ass. I am closer to ordering this unit and scrubbing my laptop, getting a workhorse desktop and be done with the lugging around.

Watched a movie on it today and it was pretty dam good, screen sise and all. If only Sony would release a 4gb Stick, then it would be a no brainer.

[pdagal]

I believe Sony did just announce a 4 gig MS Duo. Posted from my UX180P 8) .

[christak]

I'm still having a hard time with the price -- I'd love to have one of these -- the functionality would be great, but I'd sure like for the price of this thing to get closer to $1000 (or maybe even $1200)... maybe it will get there in a few months??
8)

[pdagal]

Or more likely a few years ;). At least with that many features packed into that small a package. Esp. with $ony and very small companies (i.e.: OQO) making them-- Sony doesn't do cheap and small companies can't get the manufacturing volume to bring prices down 50%.

[christak]

Agreed... I'd still love for the price to be lower (...duh...), but unfortunately you're probably right... 8)

[wshwe]

Several years ago color laptops cost upwards of 3 or 4 grand. $1,800 is a relatively small price to pay for the latest technology.

[trog]

I have been using one for about a week now. I really like it. The ability to change the screen orientation and hold it like my Ipaq for note taking is huge. I hate to admit it but my Ipaq stays home more often.

[BoxWave]

Just a note -- we had one of these lying around for testing purposes, and quite frankly, it's still a little too large (with, imo, limited input ability) for my liking. it has been put up with the couple of dozen devices that don't see front line work here at the office.