Vaio UX reviewed

Even though Sony prematurely created -- then killed -- the UMPC market a couple years back  with their U-series ultramobiles. Many seemed stoked to learn that they're back at their old tricks with their Vaio UX "Micro PC," and none too soon with competition from Samsung, TabletKiosk, and Asus. DWT got their hands on a UX and gave it a thorough once-over; seems like they were quite enamored by the 4.5-inch 1024 x 600 display (that sometimes requires use of zoom keys to actually read that tiny, tiny text), and the Japanese version's IC-card reader for SuiCa. Unfortunately the keyboard is supposedly quite terrible, with "almost no tactile feedback from key presses and typing is a real chore," and the battery life wasn't doing much more than 2 hours, dropping out at 1.5 hours under relatively heavy use. Basically it doesn't sound like they're recommending the UX all that much, but as with any Micro / ultramobile PC, if you really want to pony up the couple of grand to get one you've probably got a very decent reason why.

[Joe @ May 25th 2006 4:07PM]

Hey I noticed the font on the keyboard is the same as the playstation 3 lettering.

[Petey Boi @ May 25th 2006 5:10PM]

uhhhhh..it is by Sony!

[antaeus @ May 25th 2006 5:48PM]

Are you people blind its not like the PS3 font at all, and Cullen I hope you burn in hell for being a fanboy.

[E @ May 25th 2006 6:17PM]

The PS2 font is also the same as Spiderman...

[macleod @ May 25th 2006 8:00PM]

Are you all forgetting that the OQO trumps all the ballyhooed UMPC's just being announced?

The OQO has replaced both my laptop and lifedrive and I couldn't love it more!!

[Antonio @ May 25th 2006 11:41PM]

Sony Vaio turns 10.
I posted a nice animation from the sony site here:
http://www.devicetodevice.com

[Matt @ May 26th 2006 1:58AM]

I like the Sony design a lot but i still think the OQO is sweet. Still not worth that much money though.

[Mark @ May 26th 2006 4:38AM]

I just finalized an auction win for a loaded OQO last night on Ebay...not one of the scam deals, either. I have lusted after an OQO since the day I first saw a picture of one. It comes with the extended battery, which should boost battery life to between 4 and 5 hours, making it a VERY usable laptop replacement. I have a Fujitsu P1510D, and I like it, but I don't LOVE it the way I did my P1120. There's something about the P1510D that I don't care for, and I am not even sure what it is. I've always been a fan of tiny tech, and the OQO makes me drool...but this new Sony gizmo leaves me saying "eh". It may have better specs than the OQO, but I can't get as excited about it. Depending on how the OQO works out, look for a P1510D on Ebay in the next month or so!!!

[sUXor @ May 26th 2006 8:34AM]

This may sound hypocritical coming from an iPod owner, but:

2 hour battery life, and they actually released the product?!

[Intrepid @ May 26th 2006 10:47AM]

At least more competition in this small form-factor market leaves less room for CrApple.

[wii.dx @ May 28th 2006 5:11PM]

Love the screen specs as they are better than what UMPCs get, but keyboard. I know Sony can make a keyboard that works nice from first had experience so I can't understand how they could go this wrong.

[emu.ds @ May 29th 2006 4:19AM]

Good to see Sony back in the Game. If not with this one than with the next they will get it right!