Sony's VAIO UX UMPC is definitely one of the sexier handheld PCs out there, but it's never been accused of being a rocket -- even the latest models only offer a lonely single-core 1.2GHz Core 2 Solo for your $2500, and since the chip is soldered onto the board, swapping it out for a Core 2 Duo isn't exactly easy, requiring an infrared soldering station and plenty of experience swapping chips. Nevertheless, it can be done, and Anh Nguyen from the Micro PC Talk forums pulled it off, upgrading his unit to a 1.2GHz U7600 Core 2 Duo with no ill effects or excess heat -- just some better benchmarks and hardcore modder bragging rights. Check out benchmarks after the break, and hit the read link for more.

[Thanks, Logan]

Merely weeks after Sony let slip a user's manual for its UX490N handheld, the unit is now (apparently) official. Granted, it's not like the specs are a surprise at this point, but the UMPC will indeed pack a 1.2GHz Intel Core 2 Solo U2200 ULV processor, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, a pair of integrated cameras (0.3-megapixels in the front, 1.3-megapixels in the rear), a fingerprint scanner, 48GB SSD, 4.5-inch 1,024 x 600 resolution touchscreen and a GMA 950 graphics set to boot. Furthermore, you'll also find built-in Bluetooth / WiFi, an Ethernet port, audio in / out jacks, an MS Duo expansion slot, WWAN support (AT&T), Vista Business and a Li-ion good for 1.5 to 3.5-hours. Enticed? Claim yours now for $2,499.99.

[Via MicroPCTalk]

Sony's jam-packed Vaio UX handheld may be the unofficial title holder for the world's most densely spec'd handheld. The latest UX running Vista Premium now peaks with a 1.2GHz Core 2 Solo U2200 processor and 64GB SSD, in addition to 802.11a/b/g WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, 1.3 megapixel webcam, CF slot, memory stick slot, USB 2.0, fingerprint sensor, 3-hour battery, 1GB memory, Intel 945GMS Express chipset, and 4.5-inch, 1,024 x 600 pixel display. However, its measurements remain unchanged at 150.2 × 95 × 32.2~38.2-mm and about 532-grams. Unfortunately, all those extra cycles and bits won't make that wee QWERTY any more comfortable to use under the strain of our massive beef hammers.

[Via Impress]

Unfortunately, we could be seeing the early beginnings of a polarizing trend, as the oh-so-hackable Sony Vaio UX becomes yet another non-Apple device to sport iPhone-esque visuals. The aptly-dubbed uPhone boasts an interface that looks awfully similar to that found on Apple's handset (and a good deal better than those knockoffs, might we add), and relies on a well disguised flavor of Windows to pull it all off. Currently, the project is still a work in progress, and while he has got Skype, a calculator, and a few fancy slide transitions up and running, there's still work on the horizon. Head on through the break for a few short clips of the device in action.

[Via DAPReview]

If you think running OS X on your Xbox 360 (well, the PC-stuffed version) is 1337, how about cramming Apple's latest operating system on a handheld Vaio? A long-winded sev7en over at MicroPCTalk has apparently taken it upon himself to do just that, and while we'd offer up kudos if he simply shared photographs and nonchalantly bragged about his success, offering up a full blown installation guide is darn near saintly. The aptly-named Mac OSUX project allows users to more easily carry OS X around in their cargo pockets, and all that's reportedly required (or recommended) is a Vaio UX, copy of OS X, a docking station, external USB 2.0 optical DVD drive, keyboard and mouse, and marginal reading comprehension skills. If you fit the aforementioned mold, feel free to hit the read link and get to it.

Sony just coughed up their new Vista-enabled VAIO lineup for Japan. The biggest news here is that the latest T, F, F TV, G, S, and type U ultra-portable all come pre-loaded with Vista starting January 30th. Otherwise, we're just looking at minor spec jumps and color changes. On the color tip, the 11.1-inch Vaio T (pictured) now hits in your choice of Bordeaux, green or rose; the Vaio U can now be ordered in blue when opting for the 32GB SSD model; and the 12.1-inch Vaio G sports a new premium brown carbon fiber chassis in addition to black. Models touting a bump in specs include the 13.3-inch Vaio S which now features a 2.33GHz T7600 Core 2 Duo processor; the 17-inch Vaio A now maxed out with the T7200 Core 2 Duo proc; the 15.4-inch Vaio F series sportin' a 1.66GHz T2300 Core Duo and nVidia GeForce Go 7600; and the 15.4-inch Vaio F TV now with a terrestrial tuner built standard into all models with the top-ender packing a T7400 Core 2 Duo processor, 200GB of disk, and webcam. All hit Japan starting January 30th. Pics of the other models after the break.

Finally, we ultra-portable nerds in the US can experience the agony of deciding whether to part with $2,500 for the 32GB flash memory-based Vaio UX Micro. Dubbing it the UX Premium Micro PC, the device is a US-market version of the Japanese 32GB Vaio UX that will also be coming to Europe as the VGN-UX1XN. Like its European cousin, the Premium Micro will run Vista and sport a 1.3GHz Intel Core Solo U1500 processor, a 4.5-inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display, 1GB of RAM, a 32GB solid state disk, a Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11g, USB 2.0, Firewire, and Memory Stick Duo memory card slots, and it's also going to have integrated Wireless WAN with EDGE connectivity. You'll have until February to either save the two and a half grand or cut up your credit cards to prevent financial ruin; click on for another pic.

Sony continues kickin' out the updates on the VAIO UX lineup with a new 32GB Solid State Disk option for those tempted to drop Yen in Japan. And tempted they will be since the larger capacity SSD brings sufficient capacity for XP and MS Office without the heat and vibration associated with the current 40GB hard disk. What's more, that SSD smokes the HDD's read/write times while extending battery life, dropping the weight, and cutting OS boot and sleep recovery times by half in the process. You'll pay for the privilege though with the 16GB SSD option already demanding a pricey ¥60,000 premium (about $515) which should bump the take-home price to right around 3 grand. Still if given the choice between this and the $2,663 Q1-SSD with that same 32GB SSD and OS, well, we'd probably take our chances on the UX dontchathink?

[Via Impress]

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]