Exclusive Sony u50 review

We ding Sony for screwing up sometimes (lack of a real MP3 player), but it's not because we don't like them, it's because we actually love them, really. In fact, if you look around here, most things have a Sony logo on it, so when they mess up we're the first to be disappointed, and when they nail it Sony-style like with the U50/70 we're equally enthusiastic about it.

The U50/70 is the smallest and lightest full-power PC on the market. The hardware really speaks for itself, we took a lot of photos and video make sure to check'em all out.

The U50 we reviewed, had the following specs:

Model:
VGN-U50

CPU:
Intel Celeron M 900 MHz

System Bus:
400 MHz

Chipset:
Intel 855GM

L1 / L2 Cache:
64K / 512K

RAM (std/max):
256/512MB

HDD:
20GB

Optical Drives
PCGA-DVRW1 (iLink DVD-RW drive) - optional
PCGA-CRWD2 (iLink CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive) - optional
PCGA-DVD1/A (iLink DVD-Rom drive) - optional

Floppy Drive:
PCGA-UFD5 (USB Floppy Drive) - optional

Graphic / Video Features Chip:
Intel 855GM

VRAM:
64MB (Max - shared with Main Memory)

Display:
5 " SVGA TFT

Resolution:
800 x 600
External: 1600x1200, 1280x1024, 1280x768, 1024x768, 800x600

Sound system, Sound Card:
PCM 16bit audio, integrated speaker

Interface
Integrated I/O:
USB 2.0 ×1; 802.11b/g Wireless LAN; Speaker; CF Card Slot; Memory Stick slot;

External I/O:
USB 2.0 ×4; i.Link; VGA Out; LAN;

Input / Output Devices
Keyboard:
QWERTY 87 Key, 17mm pitch, 2mm keystroke

Pointing Device:
Pointing Stick
Battery Life:

Standard Battery: 2.5 hours
Enhanced Battery: 5.5 hours

Power
Consumption:
24W

A/C adapter:
100-240V / 50-60 Hz

Physical Features

Size:
6.57(W) x 4.25 (L) x 1.03 (H) [inch]
167mm× height 108mm× depth 26.4mm

Weight:
1.21 lbs / 550g

Operating System:
Windows XP Home Edition (or Pro).

You can read the full specs on the u50 and the u70 here.

So, who needs this? Corporations with some unique application that benefits from the smallest possible PC. People who are always on the go, and want to have all their data and all their programs with them always and everywhere. you can have: 2 sets of accessories (TFT, mouse, keyboard, docking station, ac adapter) and take the U70 between home and office. Go to a meeting, or on a business trip, slip the U70 and folding keyboard in your bag. Totally convenient, totally unobtrusive. It's not an attempt at an OS, it's the real deal, a full version of XP running, with all your apps, any apps.

We put the U50/U70 through a week's worth of mission critical email, instant messaging, IRC, web browsing, IRCing, Powerpointing and it's we found it extremely fast and usable.

One of the features we really liked is the fact the screen is actual touch screen, in other words you could you use your finger or whatever stylus to write and do things, this feature along had us preferring the u50 over a Tablet PC.

After you look at all the pictures be sure to check out the video, it's 10 minutes and gives a good overview of what you can do with one of these puppies.








Case.


What's included.




USB, Firewire, VGA…


Folding keyboard.




Front view.




Back view of cradle.


Size comparisons.


Width.


iPod on U50 action.


Back.

[Richard @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Yeah! Great! But do I have to wait 5 minutes for it to boot so I can look up a phone number or schedule an appointment?

[Keith @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

No PCMCIA support. May not work in high security wireless environments as Sony Wireless does not work with Cisco LEAP technology.

[Andrew @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

If I can get Linux on it...I'll take it. With Windows on it I'm not too tempted. Anyone know if I can use say maybe Lindows or Lycoris?

[Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Great review Phillip.

Living vicariously through your demo. :-)

Thanks.

Mike

[Z @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

This device seems to be pretty slick. It should have Bluetooth built into it, though - there's no excuse for it not to. External USB devices for Bluetooth are lame, IMO. Integration is the key.

And why isn't the keyboard wireless? IMO, they should've included a BT keyboard, and integrated BT into the U50/70 itself, which would allow someone to go out and buy a BT mouse to use with it as well.

The only other thing I think they should've integrated into it is one Type II PC Card slot.

Those are my only gripes. Other than that, it looks really nice.

I like the specs of the U70 best.

[eduo @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

There is ONE key piece of data missing in this review, and that is usually the key piece of data portable devices have prominently tested: Battery Life.

Sony gives some numbers, but real-life data would be better.

Another thing missing is the accesories that exist for the machine. For example if I want to take it with me to give a PowerPoint presentation can I use a small to-vga adapter or do I have to carry my dock station with me?

-Other things I'd like to see: Size and usefulness of the external drives.
-Capability to have other OSes in it (that is, Linux or BSD) (actual speed of those OSes is probably a feature for another kind of site, so I won't gripe about that)
-Whether it can drive powered USB devices (like an optical mouse) and its impact in battery
-Additional batteries? Car chargers? small AC adapters that don't need the dock?
-Capabilities of the video card (I don't think it does 3D decently or maybe at all, but would be nice to know)

Myself? I don't miss the Cardbus slot as I don't have any PC cards. I wouldn't mind getting CF cards instead and USB can probably take care of the rest. Saying it SHOULD have this or the other is dumb, as it SHOULDN'T have anything. It would be nice if it had Bluetooth but it's not a showstopper (it wouldn't be a showstopper if it hadn't WiFi, but it's welcome).

All in all the machine is a pure thing of lust. I once fell in lust with a Sony device, a UX50 (as everyone else in engadget, it seems), the machine is nice and the WiFi lasted a good three months before noticing I had moved to another country and I couldn't enforce the warranty here and decided I should be punished by breaking down completely. The feel of the UX50 is a little flimsy as well (the keyboard is superb, tho'). I did decide to not fall head over heels after another Sony device but this one is intriguing me.

I'd love for the U70 to be a hit, but mainly because I'd like Apple to be convinced it can be done and it can sell. If in a year or so the market hasn't taken off for these things (although it won't at that price, probably) then I'll probably get myself one (or whatever the current model is), but in the meantime I'll keep hoping Apple does look up and see that while 17" laptops are cool for some, others prefer *small* and *smaller*.

Eduo

[Felipe @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Do the U50 have any Serial Port even in the docking station?
Also do you think it have any chances to be sold by Sony USA?
Thanks
Felipe

[Brett @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Hi Felipe,

there is no serial port on the U50 dock.
I haven't seen /heard plans for a US or EU official release.

regards,
-Brett
[ http://conics.net ]

[Tron @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

great photos, what kind of camera did you use and at what setting?

[Leon Ritt @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Very nice ultraportable, one of the ideal applications for this unit are travel guides. Have a look at http://www.europe-travel-guides.com to download the free pdf guides for all european countries and major cities with hotels, restaurants, etc.
When you visit europe don't forget your U50 and the europe travel guides.

[Roberto Sala @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Have you taken a look at our Micro Personal Computer and Micro Tablet (handheld)? It supports PCMCIA type II and searial RS-232C. We also have the integrated Micro Tablet w/ Pentium M chip coming out soon! Just wanted to let you know.