Just don't call it a
UMPC. Like the "we don't need no stinkin' WMCE" days of yore, Sony is launching into a new market segment with little regard for the generally accepted Microsoft or Intel standards. They have just announced their new Vaio UX Micro PC, which seems more akin to an
OQO device than a UMPC. For starters, this unit obviously has a hardware keyboard, which doesn't seem that bad of decision given the difficulty of using current-gen UMPC keyboards. The UX is also powered by a full on Core Solo processor (don't ask us how they got it in there), and runs Windows XP Professional.
As rumored, the device also includes Bluetooth, WiFi, WWAN (EDGE connectivity) and a fingerprint reader. Along with the front camera for video conferencing, there is a camera in the rear for snapping pics, and the UX also can plug into a VGA adapter for powering an external monitor. The 4.5-inch screen is capable of a 800 x 600 resolution and accepts stylus input. We're not sure if the UX has another pointer device, but the unit can be docked to allow for desktop use, including VGA, Ethernet, IEEE-1394, three USB 2.0 ports and AV out, so you can use a regular mouse in those situations. We wish Sony would mention their battery life predictions for this mini beast, but they did let us know that the UX will be out in July for around $1800.
[Thanks, Stan]
posted May 16th 2006 1:18AM
that is sexy
Nice. I wouldn't mind having one for the car.
Beautiful.
The price? Not so much.
What's the HDD capacity?
"We're not sure if the UX has another pointer device,..."
The square-shaped nub on the upper right-hand side is the pointer. The two upper-left most buttons are the mouse buttons; the big one on top is the left button, the small one on the bottom is the right button. It's the same as all Sony U UMPCs of the past (including the mini-laptop form factor ones that never made it to the US through official channels).
Everything sounded really awesome.
Until the last sentence. Haha.
http://www.sony.jp/products/Consumer/PCOM/PCG-U1/Images/wallpaper_pop_03.jpg
The original VAIO U1
If this is designed to the same standard as the clié, you should be able to slide open the screen about 50 times before it breaks.
Man, I would just LOVE to install OSX on this baby! Drivers would be the problem - but what a kick ass portable this would make. Anyone share my opinnion?
Reminds me of my Clié UX-50. Jack of all trades, master of none.
Not bad for a sony product. But what's up with that antenna sticking up there like a sore thumb. I can see that breaking off easily.
I'm not sure you guys have the resolution right. That screen looks like it's wide and 800x600 isn't wide. I'll bet it's 800x480. Looks like this will kick down all of those UMPCs...
Sasha, I couldnt agree more. The first thing I did after I saw it was check OSX86project for any similar hardware. Time to save up!
I have been looking at a Tablet PC to show demos to clients while on the road. Most of my work is Flash based, so I have actually been looking for something that is smaller and has a lower-resolution. After all, a 500x400 or even a 600x500 flash interface can look pretty dorky on a 1280x1024 screen.
If it were not for the price, this would be about the perfect portable sales tool for when I am rushing to various meetings on the tradeshow booth. And, of course, battery life + video card horsepower is not mentioned. I wonder what those will be.
The new Sony U series can now be found on the SonyStyle Japan Site:
http://www.jp.sonystyle.com/Style-a/Product/U/index.html
A nice new unit, but the screen is smaller than the old Sony U series, which I find disappointing:
http://kemplar.com/sony_u71p.php
A clamshell design would have been more welcome.
umm...I saw the compare video, and the one that was faster...What is it called? I know it's Sony Vaio UX, but what model? Can you please tell me?
it's 1024x600, boys.
HDD is 30 Gigs
Just checked out the Japanese site
"HDD is 30 Gigs" Which is not enough by the time you've got XP in there.
Which means it's a 1.8" disk. So the first thing you'd do is upgrade to 60Gb, except it might not fit due to the dual platter and thicker case.
Where, oh where, are the perpendicular recording dual platter 1.8" drives? Device manufacturers are moving down from 2.5" disks but the 1.8" drives seem to be stuck at a lower capacity level which just isn't big enough. There's a storage gap there.
Why is it that there is an entenna on the picture above, but there is none on the japanese website. I don't know, it's just interesting.
http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/UX1/Images/feat2_lead.jpg
Ooooooohhhhhh....tell me Apple releases something like this real soon...this is the first mini-pc I've actually found vaguely smart. I'd always liked the idea (before bootcamp that is) of owning a Vaio to compliment my PowerBook...
Compared to similar devices, this "UMPC" has an unusually high processing speed and small size for the stated battery life of 3 to 8 hours. I think this represents the important turning point that will make people understand the viability of the UMPC. The price is competitive; no one is complaining that it's not $500 to $900. Partly because Sony has set up a certain reputation for itself, and partly because Microsoft didn't tell you it would be cheaper. But mostly because the functional specs is hitting a sweet spot of power, battery life, connectivity, and portability.
My assesment:
- extendable antenna
- looks to me like a futuristic communicator, like something you'd keep on your desk (think Star Trek minus spandex)
- will have a set of Sony multimedia apps with full screen touch optimized controls
- will function well as a communicator (email, IM, VOIP, video chat), blogger (esp. with two cameras), browser, rss reader, PMP, and e-reader
- car and plane use will benefit from brighter screen
- can replace a notebook for casual traveling and vacationing and in some ways will be superior: easier to use in airports and hotels, can sync with BT phone, etc.
- HD size is way too small for a lot of people
- in an area with city-wide wifi, the small size and screen dimensions become a big advantage.
However, 1024x600 is a little bit of an awkward resolution for certain applications.
Full stats here.
http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/trurl_pagecontent?lp=ja_en&trurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.vaio.sony.co.jp%2fProducts%2fUX1%2fspec_ownermade.html
They simultaneously annouced the Hard-Drive-LESS version with a 16GB (!)NAND Flash Memory.
Saw on a Japanese news site
http://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/0605/16/news036.html
says it's going to be more expensive, but the access speed and increased battery life (by how much I wonder) will be a plus.
See, this is Sony I used to like (sigh...)
ah, the days when even the coolest, most powerful vaio media centres came with just XP home...
Couple of movies of it in action.
http://www.jp.sonystyle.com/Style-a/Special/U/Movie/index.html
i think it's ~500USD cheaper if u buy it in japan...
you can also upgrade the processor to 1.2Ghz solo core (with money, of course) at sonystyle jp
The thing that all these UMPC makers are missing is that this needs to be cheap enough to be a secondary device, for use on the road. Think most people rather have an underpowered cheap device that I can sync up at home than a sub-pc that costs more than our real computers... Cause really, it's not like laptops are incovenient beasts of devices. If I had $1800 dollars, I'd by a Macbook Pro for the road, and I wouldn't be wishing I had a smaller device. However, say I only have $500 and want something between a pocket pc and a laptop, price wise? That's where the UMPC market should be aiming.
4.5 inch screen? 800 x 600? Come on! Have you tried using a 4inch screen at 640 x 480? It's next to impossible for a normal person. The only people able to use one of these are geeky adolescents, and obviously Apple fanboys. That's if their parents will buy them one.
I think it is interesting they are already offering the extended battery. The way it is designed is also quite good I believe. It will make the UX easier to carry (just like the grip on a SLR camera).
http://www.jp.sonystyle.com/Style-a/Special/U/Movie/movie.html?param=16
About the resolution. I think it is great they are offering a high resolution. This will be a perfect picture tank as well as all the other umpc stuff. If you need bigger text, just use the magnifier buttons. Watch the movies!
OK, just saw another movie. They are also offering compact flash type 2! It really will be the perfect picture tank for my D70. No more laptops on a holiday! This will be a great eBook reader/picture tank/surfing/mailing/media player/do everything device. Hopefully build quality is ok...
A bit ugly, clumsy and way too expensive.
Holy lord, has anyone watched the video of him typing? It's a thumb keyboard, and the keys look like they're about the size of peas, and barely raised. I can't imagine this is going to be fun for the big hand crowd.
That antenna is just stupid looking on that thing. Its killing me! Oh, and the price is too. EDGE?
Get the hell outta here.
Man, if the videos are anything even close, I gotta get one!
Standard battery life is a whopping 2.5-4.5 hours hours according to the US Sony Store Spec:-
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=VGNUX180P
Ouch. That's kinda a killer flaw for this kind of device is it not?
full stats in english:
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?CategoryName=cpu_VAIONotebookComputers_UX_Series&ProductSKU=VGNUX180P&TabName=specs&var2=
battery life included.
The review on El Reg is listing some more specs, including battery life (12 hours claimed).
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/05/16/sony_unveils_vaio_ux/
That's a broken link. Does anyone know the batt life with the ext battery?
Oqo is screwed...OR maybe they will both drop their prices to something more reasonable, like a grand? ;)
The higher resolution is IMO only for multimedia purposes. The zoom buttons are presumably to help with the resolution. However, after using a Nokia 770 with a 5" 800x480 screen, it's certainly doable. Small screens look sharper.
The battery life for a full Windows OS and the size is not bad. Smaller size = smaller battery = shorter battery life. Again, given that the thing is about a pound, it's not bad.
As for the price, it's not much more than a Fujitsu P1510 which has similar specs. Maybe it's not worth it to most people, but the price is more or less on track given the state of technology.
I've learned some hard lessons on buying new gadgets early. I like the features and form factor of this thing, but the value it would give me doesn't justify the current price. I'll wait until the next generation, and get some feedback from other users who have lived with it a while. If it looks like it would fill a gap in my current arsenal of iPaq hx4700 and MacBook Pro running OS X and WinXP, then I'd probably buy it.
micro pc? yes...micro price? hardly!
we got to send them a message, "No dice at that price!"
It says $1,300-$1,542(depending on configuration)on Sony's Japanese site.
"Under 170,000yen"($1,542)
http://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/200605/06-0516B/">http://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/200605/06-0516B/
Does anyone realise, how much it looks like the CLIE UX?
Another thing, can anyone give it to me for free?
Call it an impulse buy, but I've pre-ordered. Anyone interested in a slightly used OQO 01+ Tablet PC with both a single and double battery?
How do you pre-order. Are you located in Japan, or is it already possible to pre-order in USA and Europe?
Drop The Price and Ill buy one get rid XP and throw on plam ill buy it . I like Palm or Windows Mobile I dont like XP in this type of enviroment i need a pointer of some sort and if you could get rid of that damn fingerprint reader the price would go down alot
Graphics powered by Intel GMA 950, battery life seems to be 7h..
Jan,
It's available for pre-order on SonyStyle.com. Don't know about Europe, but it's there in the US.
It is indeed on sonystyle.com, but not yet on sonystyle europe. Probably because of issues with WWAN technology. Perhaps they will include GPRS or UMTS or no WWAN at all in Europe?
email me about the oqo: breaksjm@gmail.com
i think i will have to start saving up for this, this looks like it would be a great companion for my 2 PSP's, 'specially with the 2.0 usb ports. and 30-60gig's, perfect for my legal iso's and homebrew games, i have about 20 gig's worth already. The price, well a bit steep but hey I thought that of the psp at first, but now I have two. This would be great for switching files on the move and checking out the new tech here at engadget and hacks/homebrew at pspupdates. Dang to bad I'm on sick leave.............
I saw some dude with one of these on a cross-country flight, about a month ago. It was grey (pre-production?). He watched a lot of video on it. It's quite a chunky thing. It looked very cool indeed.
It's 1024x600 (WSVGA) on 4,5", guys. Not 800x600...
$1800 for 512MB of RAM and a 30GB hard disk?
You've GOT to be kidding me. Obviously the Apple fanboys with big incomes (or rich parents) will snap these up, but as someone else pointed out, the price kills it for the primary segment, someone who wants an ultra-portable for under $999.
If Dell sold this thing it would cost $999 before coupons and could be had for $799 within a couple of months.
And I bought a U750p about 1.5 years ago...
The question is: Does it worth the upgrade? The u750 has a 5' screen ...
Wish I could see it fo real, or read a full review of the beast!
I'm a little disappointed by the size of the screen. I'd hoped it would be 7 inches like the early leaks about this device. It seems too small to use a lot. Maybe just for email , diary and task management. But very little data entry could be done usefully with it I think.
The press release makes me think the main driver for the screen size has been to get the device as small as possible so it's "a pc that can fit in your pocket." .. and your hand. I know from experience that its easy to drop ultraportables if they're too big for your hand.
I wonder too if the size of the screen is actually a result of the decision to go with a thumbpad. Ergonomically, can people (especially Japanese people with small thumbs??) stretch to use a keyboard wider than 4.5 inches?
I think it will sell, but its turning out to be an interesting year for ultraportables, so who knows what will come out next.
If that keyboard is really backlit I'm nearly sold on it though!
This is where we've come from, the original U
http://www.sony.jp/products/Consumer/PCOM/PCG-U1/Images/wallpaper_pop_03.jpg
i got the mini cooper of vaio, the pcgsrx87.
but now i want the smart of vaio.
lol
WOW!
I was gonna buy a PS2, but now this thing comes along.
If I remember correctly, I think this thing has a Memory Stick port somewhere (If it has a CF Slot then it would be sweet). Would be nice for dumping digital photos/movies off my memory stick to this portable Vaio, and to view them, of course, on the screen.
If the battery life is OK (Meaning over 4 hours) then I can see purchasing this.
http://pcgsrx87.googlepages.com/
Here's some hands-on images. It also states (from the Babelfish translator) that there will be a 16GB NAND flash version late June. I'm sure this will drive the prices way way up but it's a interesting alternative if you want maximum battery life and a "0 spindle" device.
http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/trurl_pagecontent?lp=ja_en&trurl=http%3a%2f%2fpc.watch.impress.co.jp%2fdocs%2f2006%2f0516%2fsony4.htm
The real world images really show how small it is for a full blown XP machine that doesn't run on a crappy Celeron or Transmeta proc.
I'm not sure why everyone is complaining about the price. The OQO is $200 more than the Sony and it doesn't include a lot of the features.
This is exactly what I was looking for as I want a device that I can carry around with me everyday and keep in my bag. With WWAN access, I'm all set and even better if it Cingular allows voice option via Bluetooth.
It's exciting to see some technology pushing from Sony after the disappointment of the PS3 details last week. I'm looking forward to some hands on time when it hits the NYC Sony store!
An interesting link can be found here:
http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/Concept/Vision/index.html?product=typeU
All that sex, running Windows. What a shame.
Okay, wow, finally. I remember when I first heard about the Sony U series. I had just missed the American offering of the u750 by a few months, and was super-disappointed. I then proceeded to quest on ebay, but every time I found one, I either missed the end of the auction, was outbid, or the price went too high for my taste. Then Sony announced they were ceasing production of all U's except the U8 and the u50, I believe. I figured it portended the death-knell of the U series, and the US was s**t out of luck by default because everyone knows Asia always gets the coolest gadgets first. Then, I just read about the UX yesterday, and no joke, my voice was cracking as I read the article. I am in love with the U series, from the oldest efforts (though cute, they are kinda bleh by now) to this latest deliciousness. I already intend to save up. I just wish Sony would make a U with an integrated optical drive. The TX is the next-smallest currently available Vaio. Give it a few years, and I'm sure Sony will be able to come up with something. I'm not crazy about the screen size either. Almost an inch smaller than the previous U's, but don't count out einen schmeedle due to his small size. To paraphrase dialogue of the knife fight scene between Geena Davis and Craig Bierko in The Long Kiss Goodnight, when Geena sees Craig's small pocket knife: "Oh honey, only four inches?!" "You'll feel me!"
It can be use as mobile phone?
I notice people saying it seems great except for the price... I am surprised that $1800 is considered to be a high price. This is about an average price for a decent laptop, and most really nice laptops cost much more. This is a very small laptop, basically. Are people assuming that, because it is small, it should be priced like a PDA?
The vgnux17gp will be available in Australia soon.
How can I make this version usable on the new G3 850MHZ
network that will be operational next year.Or should I be looking at another UX model.
This thing sounds PIMP! I just have to save up!
this thing is PIMP!
Not sure why only 1 ilink port on port replicator - as this doesn't have a DVD drive and to create DVD's directly from a digicam I woul dneed 2 ilonk ports (1 for DVD drive which is optional and 1 for Digicam)... a built in drive would have been advantageous..
Is there any Data Card option like as other laptop where we can insert a data card to connect to internet.
I am holding a UX50 in my hand now. Learning how to use it so I can teach the owner.
I am not that impressed with it.I find it difficult to work on it except when I dock it to my home desktop. For the same price I can get a decent laptop that is as small as I want it to be. However this is for the gadget freak who has deep pockets.
Beware this model comes only with Japanese manual. I have been scouring the web for the past 2 days hoping to find an English manual. Hope someone can help. One really needs a manual to use this machine effectively. By the time I get to know the full features by trial and error, I will tripping over my own beard.If anyone wants to no more details pls let me know.
I am hoping that someone out there has found an English manual for the Vaio VGN-UX50.
Thanks
Please i will like to ask if.... can u please help me get the Sony Vaio UX Micro PC.... if you can get it.... e-mail me: slims.mensfield@gmail.com .....you full name and address....and the lat cost of the item.......... so that i can go on in giving you the money through western union...... then i will send you my information too.....
Regards,
Mensfield Slims.
i like it.i really like it.i think i should by one but it is so expensive.