Hi again.
I was just thinking, does anyone of you use UMPCs, or have used them before?

I have a HTC shift (which im writing from now), and i use it quite a lot. Im studying and using it to take notes and such.
Currently its running windows 8, and its very snappy - even though its hardware is pretty old. It can handle nearly everything, even older games.
Im currently using it quite a lot to replace my W500, which is being repaired. It cant replace it, but its not useless (which lead me to make this thread..)

I also have an OQO 01+. Its a VERY old device (2006 i think), running windows XP. Its quite snappy, but doesnt handle things like youtube very well.
Other than that its nice to use for browsing the web, play games, doing basic stuff on the move and such. But unfortunatly i can't install windows 8 since it only have 512 MB RAM.
The only thing i really miss on this device is a better GFX and a integrated 3G modem.

But how about you? Are you also hooked on those baby machines

Best regards

I don't know the exact definition of UMPC devices. I'm still looking for a small 4" to 6" hi-res display device for internet browsing and reading emails but not a mobile phone. It should have GPRS/EDGE/3G connectivity (GPRS/EDGE is mandatory because real 3G coverage over here is almost zero). Physical keyboard would be nice. Preferred OS is Windows of any edition or CPU architecture.

I'm aware of HTC Shift and Viliv S5 but it was extremely expensive. It seems as market for this kind of devices is dead in favor of phones

They were small, mobile PCs with thumb keyboards and screens ranging from 4" to 6", that ran standard versions of Windows (e.g. Windows XP rather than Windows Mobile 5). The Sony UX Series and the OQO were the best-known examples. Basically, they were very small laptops, so small that they had thumb keyboards instead of real keyboards.

I considered getting the OQO but the lack of a typable keyboard was a deal breaker.

I think the biggest problem for UMPCs (except for the price.. If it have to be up to date it is VERY expensive...) is the batterylife. Its hard to get a device with more than 4hour of battery.



What do you mean, when you say "typable keyboard"?
The thumb keyboard is actually decent on my 01+, meaning better than most other mobile devices.



The two newest i have heard off, is the Fujitsu F-07C (http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/26/fujitsu-loox-f-07c-review/) and the xpPone 2 http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/11/itg-xpphone-2-hands-on-windows-7-on-a-smartphone/
But both are EXTREMELY expensive, and from china. But other than that, they seem to be some very nice machines

Both looks like a phone

They both have phone functionality, but i think its possible to just turn it off and use them as UMPCs instead.

Well I can do that with any smartphone for better price than these devices. The reason I'm looking for different kind of device than phone is I'd like to have something which does not look like a phone and does not have a phone capability. The reason is simple - I hate (any kind of) phones

I can tell you the HTC shift can get phone capability - but this does really make you choice harder-

Have you tried to look for one of the OQO 2+ ?
Very few 2+ models left the factory, but it is possible to find one time to time. The specs aint bad.

"Typing" means using all 10 fingers, without looking at the keyboard, and entering at least 50 words a minute. On the OQO, one can only push buttons at a slow rate.

Thats true.
But its just not physically possible. But you could consider a foldable BT keyboard

Hi,

I am using a Samsung Q1 Ultra on my nightstand to surf before I go to bed and sometimes in the morning. I have a OQO 01+ which is collecting dust in the closet. I had the 02 model also which I sold and other umpcs that are in the closet collecting dust.

John

The Q1, have nearly identical specs to my Shift?

I can tell i once had windows 7 running on my 01+, but it didn't work very well with games so i reverted to XP. What others do you have?

I like my solution better: Just don't buy a UMPC!

Another interesting device Tainell U-Touch 500 But the price 999 USD kills it.

I think this UMPC is an oudated concept, since most of the current biggest smartphones can probably do the same.

I have a Samsung Galaxy Notes phone, which due to its sheer size (5.3") could be also considered as kind of UMPC. Surfing, watching videos and browsing the internet is a delight in such a big and brilliant screen. I don't want now a smaller phone anymore

Thats acutally a very interesting machine. Maybe a little expensive, but cheap compared to other UMPCs (when i look at it, the price is 699). But its such a shame they all are so expensive!

The 699 USD configuration does not have mobile internet connectivity that the device is losing its point.

I still don't understand why it is so expensive. Basically a 4" smarthphone with mobile Windows which does not look like a phone would be enough.

It's so expensive because it's inherently expensive to build ANYTHING in that form factor - even smartphones are around those prices without subsidies.

In any case, there is always the Fujitsu U820. Looks like a laptop, but it's ridiculously tiny. Oh, and it has a pointing stick. I think you can get it with 3G support?