Vaio UX180P: Gripes and grievances

Since the day my UX180P moved in, I've spent a pretty indecent amount of time exploring its features and hardware components. To say that I'm obsessed with the device is certainly an understatement (check the reviews listed in the sidebar for proof). While I haven't devoted even a nanosecond to regretting my purchase, the past 10 weeks haven't all been hearts and flowers and rainbows. That is, I'm not so blinded by love that I can't see its flaws. In fact, I've even compiled a little list of them.

Taking my cue from jkOnTheRun and in no particular order, here's all the stuff that bugs me about the otherwise lovely UX180P. Oh, and just so you know, the unit's specs don't bother me. A lot of people complain about them, but I don't understand why. Who buys a computer without already knowing the details of its HDD, RAM, and processor?

Out-of-box storage capacity. Because of the hidden partition and all the preinstalled software, only 14.4GB of the 30GB hard drive is accessible when you first turn on the computer. Less than half of what it's supposed to be?! People who don't know about this beforehand will obviously think they received a defective unit, which instantly sours all of the unboxing excitement.

PlusSoft PenPlus for VAIO. To justify the inclusion of a touch screen without Windows Tablet PC Edition, Sony preinstalls a couple of applications that can make use of it (e.g., Touch Command, touch panel, etc.). The most Tablet-like program on the system is PenPlus, which—to put it mildly—absolutely sucks. It's worthless. And my software standards are incredibly low; I mean, I think Microsoft Paint is great. PenPlus is little more than an on-screen doodling app, and who needs that?

SIM card slot. I like the addition of the EDGE/GPRS radio and SIM card slot (did it really need to be screwed in, though?); however, Sony shouldn't have traded them for the CF slot built into the UX50 and UX90 models. Compact flash cards aren't particularly useful, I know, but it's never a good idea to get rid of an expansion option. Plus, given the recurring costs, I think more people would make use of a CF slot than of WWAN.

Windows XP Professional. I'm sure Sony had perfectly sound reasons for not licensing Tablet PC from Microsoft, but I can't think of any of them. Even though an active digitizer (versus passive) touch screen is better for tablet functionality and handwriting applications work just fine with XP Pro (I have EverNote Plus), I still think Tablet PC makes more sense.

Battery life. I think my multipart battery reviews exhausted this subject. The extended battery, which I'll be testing in the next few weeks, should yield much more satisfying results, but the standard capacity battery that ships with the UX is definitely disappointing.

Integrated USB 2.0 port. One measly port? That's it? The included port replicator is equipped with three additional USB 2.0 ports, I know, but having to carry the replicator (or even a small USB hub)  everywhere defeats the purpose of the micro PC's existence. It would be like saying the UX is an absolutely perfect computer...once you connect an external monitor, keyboard, optical drive, printer and external hard drive to it.

Exposed MS Duo slot. I don't know of many gadgets that feature a door to protect an expansion card slot, but I wish the UX had one. Considering that the UX was designed with mobility in mind, some sort of hinged cover to prevent dust and outdoor debris from getting inside the slot would've been nice. I don't suppose that a computer appreciates even a light drizzle.

Pointer caps. The little square caps for the pointing device are made of some kind of fabric-like material that gets dirty easily. I don't pick up the UX after making mud pies outside or mixing chocolate by hand, but my cap isn't as clean as it used to be. Sony does throw in a few spare caps, but they're not any more resistant to invisible thumb filth than the included one. Plastic or rubber that can be wiped clean would've been a better option. Making the caps removable and washable would've also worked.

Keyboard. The keyboard and I are working through our love-hate relationship. So much about it is great (design, backlight, size, key spacing, StickyKeys, etc.), but it's still not the most ergonomic set of keys I've ever met. The problem is actually with the rounded hand grips on the back of the UX, which make holding the device and using the pointer/mouse buttons quite comfy, but typing quite the opposite. To overcome the "bulge" of the grips, I need to stretch my thumbs to the point where they actually get a bit sore.

Most of the issues have simple solutions and workarounds (e.g., delete PenPlus), which is why I still think the UX180P is a fantastic little machine. It amazes me every time I look at it, pick it up, and/or turn it on. It's been my primary computer for about a month now, and it will stay that way for a long time. Even after I get a UMPC (I still want a Samsung Q1), I'll continue to use the UX every day.

Comments

[Cyrus]

I just got my UX180 after reading through your very detailed reports. I wish I could have figured out how to purchase one via the $300 off link, but it wouldn't let me ship mine to California, where I live.

Anyhow, the purpose of this comment related to the virtually useless keyboard. I'm pretty proficient with the keys (on a normal keyboard, I type between 90-100 wpm on average). On the UX, this is closer to 15 wpm. It's pathetic.

So, I started looking for alternative input types and came across JK's review of ritePen by evernote. The recognition engine is amazing! As it should be, given the founder of the company's history. So, if you haven't tried ritePen, I'd recommend a go, as a 30-day demo is available on the website.

[Jenn]

I don't know if they're still offering it, but EverNote was once giving away free copies of ritePen or EverNote Plus in exchange for a handwriting sample.

All you had to do was handwrite 16 sentences (provided by EverNote) on a sheet of paper, scan or take a picture of the sheet, and then email it to the company.

A few days after I sent my sample to them, they emailed me a link and code to download a full version of the software for free! I chose EverNote Plus but still haven't gotten around to actually installing and using it yet. It's on my to-do list...

[David]

I actually like the choice of XP pro. It has the remote desktop server which I don't think the tablet edition has. This allows you to connect to the UX by the network and seamlessly use your desktop and monitor without dealing with any cables.
I picked up MS one note on ebay for $25. This is my first tablet so I don't know what you guys use it for but it works fine for me to take notes.

[Kevin]

Here's three of my pet peeves for my UX390cn

The location of power, headphone, and microphone plugs. They are put on the bottom, so if I use the supplied stand without the port replicator, I can't plug in my headphones or the power adapter. These would have been much better on the top or sides.

I also have the opposite problem to you with the keyboard. I have big hands so can reach all letters ok. But that also means I have big thumbs. I often end up typing two adjacent letters instead of just one or "double bouncing" the letters. I've taken to using the pen stylus to click the letters on the keyboard instead of my thumbs. I tried using the "filter keys" accessibility option to remove double bounces but that interferred with pressing the "backspace" key multiple times to remove words, etc.

Finally, I was thrilled to see a compact flash card slot. However, I find it next to useless. I tried using a 2 Gig card from my camera. Not only was it extremely slow, but I swear I could actually see the battery power indicator moving down as it accessed the card.

To address some of the other comments, by ux390cn came with Windows Vista business, so it had the benefits of both XP and Tablet PC power.

[Kevin]

Just thought of one more pet peeve. The battery can only be charged when it is pluged into the Vaio. I can't charge the battery separately.

I have both the standard battery that came with the Vaio, and the optional high-capacity battery. If I'm at a conference, it would be great if I could leave the drained battery charging in my hotel room while I'm off using the ux380cn on the other battery.

By the way, in my last comment, I incorrectly said I have the ux390cn. I have the ux380cn (hard drive, not flash drive, Canadian model).

[Jenn]

Well justified gripes, Kevin.

A separate battery charger would've been incredibly useful when I was running all those drain tests!

[Karim]

First, thanks a lot for all the useful info& detailed reports posted here, I need some help in my new UX 490n which just arrived yesterday , as I live in Cairo Egypt I need to unlock the Cingular to use Vodafone ,I know all the steps but the thing I can’t locate is Hyper terminal which is missing in Vista , I need to get the IMEI # to call Sony for unlocking code. Thanks in advance for any info regarding this unlock.

Thanks every one.

[Jenn]

I'm not sure about hyper terminal, but the IMEI number is printed on the outside of the box on a little rectangular sticker of its own. It should be on the same side as the bar code.

The number is also in the battery compartment. Remove the battery and you'll see a thin white strip on the UX housing with IMEI printed on it followed by the numbers you need.

[Karim]

First , Thanks for your replay. I need the IMEI# for the modem not the ux !!!

any ideas ???

Regards

[Jenn]

Hmm. As far as I know, that's the number a mobile carrier asks for when you unlock a SIM. If the UX didn't have a WWAN radio, I don't think it would have an IMEI# because it wouldn't be linked to a GSM or UMTS network.

That's always been my understanding, anyway.

Have you tried giving that number to Sony?

[Karim]

The UX 490 has WWAN, and if you want to have the unlock code from Sony you have to give them the IMEI# which i can't get it or sony didn't show how to get it.........any way thanks for your assistance.