 
milnoc
join:2001-03-05
H2Z
 ·TekSavvy Solutions..
| They'll get better in time. It's still a very new market segment. It'll take a bit of time for the market to mature. But still, UMPCs have made a few strides in the last couple of years. One example is my Fujitsu U810 UMPC which despite its limitations has turned out to be my favourite mobile device, greatly surpassing the convenience of my 12" tablet PCs.
Here's my review of the U810 as posted on YouTube.
»youtube.com/watch?v=mSJDMeZgWX8 | |
|  | 
GlobalMind
Domino Dude, POWER Systems Guy
Premium
join:2001-10-29
Hollywood, FL
| Re: They'll get better in time. A colleague of mine has one of those Fujitsu's as well. He seems to like it, and frankly I would too but for the cost.
I just don't see myself having a need for it that would justify it at this time. The only thing I could see myself using it for is to backup my CF cards over a race shooting weekend, but I can easily get a Wolverine or Epson unit for that for a great deal less money.
What would be cool with the Fujitsu and others like it is the ability to load other software on it, which I could then use while on a trip instead of the laptop.
Maybe later.
--
TheGlobalMind.com | Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go? | Trust the instinct to the end, though you can render no reason. Ralph Waldo Emerson
| |
| | |
milnoc
join:2001-03-05
H2Z
·TekSavvy Solutions..
| Re: They'll get better in time. You can. Many UMPCs are fully functional PCs in a scaled-down package. Mine's loaded with Vista (ugh), OpenOffice.org, Google Earth, Zoom Player, The Gimp, Sim City 4, Audacity, Skype... As long as the PC software can work within the constraints of the screen size, there's no problem. | |
| ossito16
join:2004-07-31
Whiting, IN
| the biggest hurdle What about the price? It would seem if the companies dumped some on to the market at a lost they would take off. i.e. Toyota Prius. Of course this could being accomplished by installing a fully working linux distro that can be upgraded. I using a nokia 770 to post right now but I am sure we are aware that Nokia tablet support is worse than comcast support. Give me a 5 to 6in screen for $400. | |
| | 
a333
A hot cup of integrals please
join:2007-06-12
Corona, NY | Re: the biggest hurdle thats already there, its the Asus EeePc, which comes preloaded with PClinuxOS, and costs only $399. Not bad..considering it comes with a built-in webcam. | |
| | | ossito16
join:2004-07-31
Whiting, IN | Re: the biggest hurdle this thing is just an ultra-portable laptop, give me something no bigger than a Sony PSP. | |
| jester121
join:2003-08-09
Lake Zurich, IL | Doh! Karl has proclaimed these devices the Hottest New Thing, and argued that they're revolutionizing the portable computing marketplace.
»Re: Where does the Eee PC fit in ?
I'm so confused.... | |
| | | 
KoolMoe
Aw Man
Premium
join:2001-02-14
Annapolis, MD
clubs: | Re: I like the Nokia N810 best for UMPC type device I've got the n800 and it's cool. I'd like to have the chance to use it more - but it's cool, especially being able to RDP into a computer for a full(small) Windows desktop when needed.
KM | |
| grumpy3b
join:2001-12-11
Lompoc, CA
 ·Millenicom
·DSL EXTREME
| I think people really want a PPC/PDA Device I do really think most people consider an ultra MOBILE PC as a pocket device not a briefcase or carry bag device. I know I have little use for a true UMPC type device but I have significant need for a PPC/PDA type device with as large as a 5" to maybe 7" display if it is overall small enough.
I want PDA functions, a solid OS that is open and can be updated, has multiple MODULAR connectivity options (I really do not want the restriction of built-in connectivity) At any given moment two of the connectivity options should be allowed active. I want a touch screen, decent CPU and expandable memory. And a good 4-hrs battery life. BTW, I am assumiing that 4hrs battery-life rating would, in Mfg speak, be equal to about 2.5-3hrs real world battery life. 
I use a Sony Clie nx73v currently and really other then the fact Sony abandon the device because, well, it's Sony, the device fills almost every need. Even the display is not bad. A tad larger to a 5" by whatever would be perfect. It lacks in that I can only add wifi to it but with that I can still connect to a wifi evdo pocket router if I really need it...put an EVDO router in my vehicle and I am set almost anywhere I travel.
This is what I find works for me...the Eee is NICE but the inability to use it in a tablet mode is all that it's lacking really. Make the screen spin around and fold flat and THAT might just be the PERFECT compromise...of course I would need to all that touch panel. But that is meeting the price point and almost down to the size I find perfect.
But opening a portable device and being forced to use it in it's "L" configuration makes for a very impractical device in almost all places I want or need a PPC.
A slide out keyboard with a tilt up disply for typing is not a bad option vs. a swivel display. At least for me.
So, I guess it is form factor and price that is the real issue. And the MFG just do not get it that people can afford ONE laptop priced device and one PDA/PPC priced device...or at least that is the most a majority of us can justify.
I might add that the Nokia devices are very close too...but the price needs to be lower...and I have been reading there are issues with durability & stability. Or maybe I am thinking of some other similar device...cripes these things are all starting to look the same to me anymore.  | |
| | coold8
Premium
join:2005-05-15
Englishtown, NJ | Re: I think people really want a PPC/PDA Device UMPC's have kept me away with $1,200 price tags. Once they cost $600-$700 for a decent Sony, I would buy one. | |
| | | jamullian
join:2005-11-06
Jamul, CA
| Re: I think people really want a PPC/PDA Device Just as with cellphones, now that there is a choice of different models with different features, those of us who really need a particular feature set can get what what we want.
The HTC X7500 happens to be perfect for me as a PDA/PPC, so much so that I bought it at a premium before it was available in this country (as the 7501). And while I wouldn't use it all the time as phone, it saved my proverbial when the California fires brought down the phone lines here and it took AT&T 6 weeks to restore them. (My normal cellphone is Verizon that does not offer service here). I strongly believe in not putting all my eggs in one basket and backup backup backup. Besides, that's a good excuse for having more toys.
I don't really think the market is lukewarm. OQO and HTC seem to be surviving OK ...
--
Hybrid: HN7000S .98/2 watt Business Internet on IA6 PLUS TopGlobal MB6800 with Option GT Max 7.2 ready on AT&T EDGE network | |
| | | | grumpy3b
join:2001-12-11
Lompoc, CA
·Millenicom
·DSL EXTREME
| Re: I think people really want a PPC/PDA Device You are right I still believe that for most people it is the cost pure and simple which hurts the market. And HTC makes some of the sexiest rigs around and that X7500 has about the perfect form factor for what I am hunting. But, I for one do NOT want a cell phone in the device...and for those who want a pure and simple PDA/PPC the options are very limited.
Try and buy an unlocked version of any of these devices and you pay another premium on top of the already overpriced MSRP. And believe it that people have been brainwashed into just reading the sticker price and thinging it's a reasonable price. To those who think cellphones truly cost hundereds of dollars to produce...take a look at the prepaid cell phones for $30-$80. Doubtful they have significantly less features then the same phone you "got a deal" on with your last 2-year contract. I feel the price of these phones represents what almost any of the common & popular phones should cost if purchased unlocked.
My point is these devices that add a cell phone inflate the cost of the device because the price is increased by the MSRP of what would be a simple cellphone purchased seperately from the PDA/PPC.
And I am with ya for redundancy of communications as today we cannot depend on them...sorry to hear you got affected by those horrid fires we had here in CA last year. I have added EVDO to my backup plan. I can always reach out using any number of VoIP options including MagicGate, Skype or whoever...well, as long as the EVDO towers & relay antennas also are not affected by something.
Oh, thought I would mention I never had heard of Jamul, CA before. And I used to spend LOTS of time in the SD area...what a cool town name! And to add, that X7500 is a VERY sweet looking rig. I have added it to my "something to compare with" list. | |
| | | grumpy3b
join:2001-12-11
Lompoc, CA
·Millenicom
·DSL EXTREME
| I am so very wary of Sony anymore. After the way they simply abandon the Clie series devices. I LOVE my nx73v and though it is lacking in some areas and pretty limited because of Sony doing many things in a non-standard fashion, I still find the design near perfect.
I still use it daily. Same would go for the nx80v with it's bigger memory and built in wifi. I had to go with a hack to get a non-sony brang Wifi CF card to function.
But Sony worries me...the OS is closed (I cannot even remove the included version of Netfront as it is embeded in ROM and the only 3rd party software that would allow removing it is no longer to be had anywhere. Once Sony decided to no longer support the product very little can be done to keep it alive. This one as bought in '04 I believe. I bought it 2nd hand so I am unsure of the year but the data on the card & device seemed to indicate nothing prior to then. | |
| 
rasmasyean
@rr.com | Flexible OLEDs might help You can then roll out (or unfold) your screen from your compact device. The US Defense industry is investing heavily on this technology so maybe soon it will transfer to industry.
Otherwise, just get a laptop. | |
| 
Subaru
1-3-2-4
Premium
join:2001-05-31
Greenwich, CT
clubs: | What I like is.. The size but the price turns me off. | |
| thrillkill
join:2004-03-31
Fort Lauderdale, FL | Price doesn't make sense These devices are too underpowered for the price,you pay for convenience not speed. | |
| |
gene
@charter.com | Re: Price doesn't make sense the n800 for less than $200 is a great deal | |
| | | | |
|
|
Response to Ultramobiles Remains Lukewarm
·
I like the Nokia N810 best for UMPC type device
·