UMPC reviews

Click on a title to read the full review and view accompanying photos.

Kohjinsha PA series
I've now spent a full workweek with the Kohjinsha PA series and since this is the last post I'll be writing before my husband and I start our new lives as parents, it's definitely time to share my thoughts on what is currently the smallest Atom-based convertible around...

Viliv S7 Premium
The Viliv S7 Premium is a convertible mini notebook from Korean manufacturer Viliv. Their recent S5 Premium and X70 models impressed folks over the last few months and nearly started a revival of the UMPC. While the S5 and X70 were good, many people were saying...

UMID mbook M1
While preparing my full review of the UMID mbook M1 that came out of its box a few weeks ago, I started to compile a list of everything I liked and disliked about the compact clamshell device (1.33GHz Atom Z520, 512MB RAM, 16GB SSD, Windows XP). I don't normally make lists like this...

Viliv S5 Premium
One of the most highly anticipated MIDs/UMPCs to be released this year is the Viliv S5 Premium, a compact Atom-based device that packs a 60GB hard drive, 4.8-inch haptic touchscreen (1024 x 600), WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS into a truly pocketable unit that weighs less than a pound...

Raon Digital Everun Note
Raon Digital's third entrant into the ultraportable computer market is the Everun Note, a compact clamshell with a 7-inch WSVGA touchscreen released in September 2008 and now available in several different configurations...

Gigabyte M704
The newest UMPC from Taiwan-based Gigabyte is the M704, a refresh of last year's U60 that features a larger display, faster processor, and redesigned controls. While not officially available in the US, the 7-inch slider has spent the summer making...

Willcom D4 (Sharp WS016SH)
All features and reviews about the Willcom D4 UMPC (Sharp WS016SH) on Pocketables.

Kohjinsha SC3
The Kohjinsha SC3 series is the company's newest 7-inch mini notebook line and one of the first Menlow-based ultraportables to begin shipping in the world. Announced in Japan last month and launched on July 11th, the series includes built-in GPS,...

Wibrain B1H UMPC review in 33 photos
Once in a while, I get my hands on a gadget that I can't work up the energy or interest to review. Whether because the device bores me and I refuse to spend 10+ hours photographing and writing about it...

HTC Shift X9500
All features and reviews about the HTC Shift X9500 (GSM version) on Pocketables.

10 reasons not to buy the Asus Eee PC 2G Surf
The entry-level Asus Eee PC is the 2G Surf, a $299 mini notebook that many assume differs from its more expensive siblings in little more than storage capacity. A quick look at the official specs chart appears to confirm that...

Fujitsu LifeBook U810
The Fujitsu LifeBook U810 mini notebook is part of the second wave of UMPCs running on Intel's new energy-efficient Ultra Mobile Platform. The U810, first introduced as the FMV-U8240 (and also known as the U1010 and LOOX U in other...

Raon Digital Everun
The Everun is Raon Digital's second entrant into the UMPC market. When the variously configured series was introduced earlier this year, many were intrigued by the hardware keyboard, optical mouse, and built-in accelerometer and pleased to learn that unlike the...

OQO Model 02
The OQO Model 02 was introduced at CES 2007 as the world's smallest Vista-capable personal computer and began shipping to customers (sort of) in late March. The award-winning UMPC was updated with better specs and reduced prices in early September...

FlipStart Labs FlipStart 1.0 (E-1001S)
An unbelievable four years after it was first announced and long after it was regarded as vaporware and urban legend, the FlipStart 1.0 (E-1001S) by FlipStart Labs finally began shipping in the spring of 2007. Was it worth the wait?

Kohjinsha SA1F00A
Unlike in other industries, trends in technology rarely come full circle. The chances of, say, the MP3 player being replaced by the shoulder-sitting boombox are laughable at best. Yet it probably won't be long before acid-wash jeans or bell bottoms...

Raon Digital Vega
When the first crop of UMPCs fell into the hands of reviewers this summer, high price points were among the most commonly cited drawbacks. Unlike some of the other complaints (lack of keyboard, size, etc.), the cost gripe was actually...

Disappointing stuff about the Pepper Pad 3
You knew this was coming. From the moment I unboxed my Pepper Pad 3 (PP3) six weeks ago, I've been promising a review that was chock full of negativity. It may not be a great way to start off the...

Decent stuff about the Pepper Pad 3
Last week, Pepper Computer began sending out a pre-release of its upcoming software update (3.1) for the original Pepper Pad and the Pepper Pad 3 (PP3) to just about anyone who was interested. I'm not part of that group, but...

Delightful stuff about the Pepper Pad 3
Even though my first Pepper Pad 3 (PP3) was equipped with what I assume was a defective screen, my experience with the device over the past few weeks hasn't been soured. I still have a meaty list of everything it...

Final thoughts on the OQO 01+
Now that the 01+ is packed up and ready to be sent back to Dynamism, I’ve been mulling over my time with it and discovered a few highlights and lowlights I didn’t mention last time. Additional highlights Speaker I’m really...

Getting to know the OQO 01+
I've been using the OQO 01+ for a couple of days now and am beginning to get a real feel for what the device has to offer. If I had this unit before I got the UX180P, I know I...

Overview of the OQO 01+
This is the first installment in a multipart OQO 01+ review for my new Quick Takes series. Quick Takes are based on short-term usage of various gadgets provided by Dynamism, the best place to find next-generation notebooks and consumer electronics...

Benchmark battle: Sony Vaio UX180P vs. Samsung Q1P
Are you one of those people who can look at the names of two different processors and know immediately which one is more powerful? I'm not. That's why when I got my Samsung Q1P in December, I expected it to...

Vaio UX180P extended battery: Part 2
Now that you've seen the extended battery for the Sony Vaio UX series, it's time to check out its performance. Using the same parameters from my reviews of the standard battery, I ran several drain tests under various usage scenarios...

Vaio UX180P extended battery: Part 1
In my 3-part UX180P standard battery review, I spent well over 100 hours charging/draining the included li-ion battery (VGP-BPS6) to basically just confirm Sony's stated rating of 2.5 hours. Now, thanks to the kindness of a reader known to many...

Vaio UX180P reviews: All in one place
Here's a consolidated (and continually updated) list of all my feature-specific reviews on the Sony Vaio UX180P Micro PC. The reviews also apply to the UX280P, which is essentially just the UX180P with a bigger hard drive and more RAM,...

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...

Vaio UX180P stand options
You are already well aware that unlike its Japanese counterparts, the UX180P's accessory bundle does not include the carrying stand. Apparently, it seems that Sony wants U.S. consumers to scrounge around for their own alternatives. So far, UX owners have...

Vaio UX180P Bluetooth DUN
Now that I finally have a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone, I decided to test out the Bluetooth dial-up networking (DUN) feature of the UX180P. Assuming you know your carrier's settings, the process is really quick and easy. These settings can be obtained...

Vaio UX180P standard battery: Part 3
Well, it's been a long time coming but Part 3 of the UX180P battery review is finally done. If you haven’t already, you can read Part 1 and Part 2 now. For this string of tests, I enabled wireless options...

Vaio UX180P standard battery: Part 2
This part of the standard battery test review will cover results garnered under various multimedia scenarios (i.e., watching movies and listening to music). For a reminder about the testing parameters, please read Part 1 of the review. Videos If you...

Vaio UX180P standard battery: Part 1
It's already a well-known fact that the battery life on the UX180P leaves much to be desired. Exactly how much is the topic of this installment in the feature-specific review series. This will be another multi-part review, as I still...

Vaio UX180P web browsing: Part 2
In case you missed it, click here to read Part 1 of this review. Picking up where we left off... Navigating websites The most basic method of making your way through various websites is to use the pointing device and...

Vaio UX180P web browsing: Part 1
Several days ago, I received an email requesting a description of the ability and ease of viewing/navigating a website on the UX180P. Since web browsing on the UX is a broad topic, I've decided to break this installment in the...

Vaio UX180P cameras
Next up in the feature-specific review series is another unique element that won't fail to impress: two integrated cameras. It's commonplace for just about every gadget to include a camera (or at least a camera add-on) these days, but you'll...

Vaio UX180P included accessories
Since I'm still discovering and learning more about all the UX has to offer, this addition to the feature-specific review series will focus on all the extra goodies that are included with the UX180P.* I'm a sucker for great accessories,...

Vaio UX180P keyboard
Find out how the UX180P's keyboard stacks up in this third installment of the feature-specific review series. The consensus about the UX keyboard is that it's handy for typing out short emails and URLs, but relatively useless for anything beyond...

Vaio UX180P orientation
In this installment of the feature-specific review series, I'll take a closer look at the UX180P's screen orientation modes. Ease of Use The quickest way to switch from landscape to portrait mode is by pushing the dedicated button on the...

Vaio UX180P screen
This is the first of what will eventually become a series of feature-specific reviews of the Sony Vaio UX180P Micro PC. One of the first things you notice about the UX180P is its 4.5-inch wide SVGA touch screen. Size The...