Pocketables

Packard Bell EasyNote XS launches in Europe

European PC company Packard Bell today announced the availability of its 7-inch EasyNote XS handtop. Based on the VIA NanoBook design from a few months back, the XS mini notebook runs XP Home on a C7-M processor and is so-named because it's "xtra smart, xtra strong, and xtra small."

Its brains and brawn are attributed to a 30GB hard drive, 1GB of RAM, 3-hour battery life (with wi-fi on), VGA webcam, 4-in-1 memory card reader, and "full-size keyboard." This is hardly enough for the EasyNote XS to muscle its way to the top of the European ultraportable market, but a reasonable price could still make a significant impact on its presence.

[Press release (PDF) via UMPC Portal]

Sony Vaio TZ (TZ170N) benchmarks

The Vaio TZ series is Sony's first class of ultra-portable subnotebooks to feature Intel's new Core 2 Duo U7500 processor with Centrino Duo mobile technology.

To determine how well the CPU performs, I revisited the UMPC benchmark tests I did a few months ago and chose to run FutureMark's PCMark05 on my TZ170N, which is equipped with 2GB of RAM and a graphics system based on the Intel 945GM chipset. I also ran CrystalMark, one of the UMPC community's favorites, and updated my Windows Experience Index scores for good measure.

Read on for the results.

Nokia fixes E90 Communicator flaws

If reports of poor call quality and an easily scratched screen have scared you off from buying the Nokia E90 Communicator, now might be the time to put your fears to rest and get in line.

According to a company spokesperson, the E90's defective microphone component has been fixed, the keyboard has been slightly modified, and a new "strengthening layer" has been added to the screen. While all of this is excellent news, the consequence of the improvements is that availability of the S60-based device is now "more limited . . . than originally anticipated in some markets."

Exactly which markets is unknown, but Amazon.com, who is selling the Nokia E90 unlocked for $850, estimates U.S. delivery times between 4 and 6 weeks.

[Reuters via Gadget Lab]

New Samsung Q1 Ultra models ditch Vista for XP

When Samsung launched its Q1 Ultra series of second-generation UMPCs in May 2007, four of the five models comprising the new lineup were running Windows Vista Home Premium (Q1U-EL, Q1U-V, Q1U-CMV, Q1U-SSD).

The Q1U-XP ($1149) had been the only unit to stay true to its predecessor's roots by sticking with XP Tablet PC Edition . . . until today. Samsung announced today the supposedly immediate availability of two new XP Tablet models: the Q1U-ELXP ($999) and the Q1U-SSDXP ($1649). I say "supposedly" because neither model is listed on the official Q1 Ultra microsite or on the product pages of various retailers named by Samsung as carrying the new UMPCs.

Samsung unveils SPH-P9200 WiMAX UMPC

The Samsung SPH-P9000 "butterfly" UMPC that was supposed to be released this year has apparently just been succeeded by the SPH-P9200.

Specs are slim at the moment, but aside from a glossy white housing and some minor hardware modifications, everything that is known hasn't changed. Like the P9000, the XP-based P9200 sports a 5-inch touchscreen, 30GB hard drive, and Mobile WiMAX connectivity.

Unless this device is immediately and readily available the second WiMAX becomes available in the U.S., its chance of success is looking pretty bleak to me. What do you think?

[AVING USA]

First impressions of the Sony Vaio TZ

Since unboxing my Sony Vaio TZ170N a few days ago, I've spent more than 25 hours with the ultralight Vista Business machine on my lap, usually incredibly pleased at the subnotebook's performance and usability, but sometimes confused and pretty miserable.

The misery isn't due to the upper left corner of the TZ's bottom heating up to uncomfortable temperatures on my leg, either, as the rest of the unit remains completely cool after hours of continued use. No, the horror immediately following the unboxing was due solely to the initial boot time and subsequent setup that made for a very negative first impression. I know now that all the pain was worth it in the end, but at the time, I reread Sony Style's 30-day return policy and made sure to keep all the original packing materials.

Unboxing the Sony Vaio TZ

Talk about instant gratification! Just two days after I ordered the Sony Vaio  TZ (VGN-TZ170N/B), FedEx brought it to my door.

While confessing about choosing the TZ over a new UMPC, I asked whether any of you were interested in seeing it covered on the site, as subnotebooks are generally not given any attention here. The response I got was unanimously positive, so I've decided not to discriminate against the TZ and will treat it like anything else around here. In fact, I'm planning to go to extremes by lavishing it with attention and writing up a series of feature-specific reviews similar to the ones I wrote for the Sony Vaio UX180P.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. First, let's get everything out of the box.

Asus Eee PC available for preorder

Update: U.S. preorders now being accepted at AllAsus.

Canada-based computer retailer NCIX is currently taking preorders for three different configurations of the Asus Eee PC.

Although the Internet-ready clamshell UMPC was priced at $199 when it made its debut at Computex 2007 this summer, actual retail pricing is within the $250 to $400 range. The lowest spec'd Eee PC available through NCIX comes with 256MB of RAM and 2GB of internal flash memory; the "best" model has twice the RAM and an integrated webcam. All three models are listed as being on "special order" with a delivery estimate of 1 to 2 weeks (although ETA is pegged at "end of September").

The NCIX product pages don't include any pictures, but HotHardware (via UMPC Portal) has some live shots, including ones of the Linux-based GUI.

[Eee User]

Choosing Sony Vaio TZ over new UMPC

Pocketables will be attending CES 2008 in January . . . and my UMPCs are staying at home. I'm taking the Sony Vaio TZ170N ultra-portable notebook I just ordered instead.

This will be my first consumer electronics show ever and I normally don't work away from home, so I've been obsessing over my mobile blogging strategy for months. Given my affinity for and daily use of UMPCs and handtops, the answer seems quite obvious. Grab a UMPC! Buy a new one even.

This sounds like a great idea, of course, but when I think about what I really need and how I really want to work while on the road, I realize that a new UMPC isn't right for me. Not for CES (and subsequent events).

Review: Nokia N800 Internet Tablet (Part 2)

Picking up where we left off . . .

Now let's take a look at the Nokia N800's internet capabilities, communication features, multimedia functions, productivity options, comfort and ergonomics, and battery life. 

Feel free to revisit Part 1 if you need a refresher on where we've been or simply join me for Part 2 below.