Handtops, UMPC - Just ordered UX390N

01/27/07 + tx6700ux

I just ordered the flashed based UX from Dynamism. Anyone else placed there order yet? I have a 180 and a 280. Would probably sell reasonably, if someone was interested. I am really excited about having the flash based UX

02/17/07 + kyone

Sony is famous for preloading lots of useless software... Try and remove as much as possible.

Try running 'Autoruns' and see what is loading on startup.

When you have relatively limited processing power and memory its important to keep your operating system running lean.

02/18/07 + tx6700ux

I have uninstalled a bunch of the usesless to me software. Vista is running along quite snappy. I am not using standby before putting this one in the holster, since it has flash and I dont have to worry about movement damaging the drive. Completely different just being able to push the hold button, and having truly instant access. I am really falling in love with this lastest UX.

02/18/07 + MeanSquare

I'm using a UX90 SSD, which has been updated to Vista by me. Doing a clean install made sure that I didn't have any of that extraneous Sony-ware that oft plagues us. Vista itself has a few things that hog a lot of resources though.

The one thing I miss is a feature that Intel hasn't added to the Vista graphics driver yet. On the XP driver, you could tell it to "keep the aspect ratio" on an external screen. That meant that the 1024x600 display would show blank bars at the top and bottom, but would still display very nicely on a non-widescreen monitor. I suspect they'll add it back in a later update.

I'd recommend TweakVI, which makes tweaking Vista fairly straightforward. I used the Auto-Tweak option for Vista services and shut down a whole slough of things that don't seem to really matter the way I run my device.

I've also been using Acronis True Image to back up my UX. (I back it up to my network storage drive.) True Image has been Vista-compatible as of the current version. It also works very well.

Vista does seem to take up about 15GB of drive (as it advertises it will do). With a 32MB SSD, that can put a crimp on things, but, even with my 4GB pagefile, I still run about 10GB free.

There are two of my favorite programs for which I'm waiting for Vista updates. One will run, but balks if I try to adjust the user interface. The other has some issues that keep it from running. So far, only the one really dislikes Vista's User Account Control setup. (I was afraid it would be worse). I upgraded to Office 2007 at the same time and quite like all the changes in both OS and apps. (I'm fond of Mahjong Titans as well

)

On the whole, I'm very satisfied with Vista on my UX. I made the shift, just to see if it would work and decided I'll keep it. Oddly, I'm waiting to update my desktop to Vista (Ultimate). (It's mostly because I'll probably do a clean install and it'll be a lot of work to re-install all the software.)

Recent Blog: MeanSquare's Review of the Sony UX (with comparison to OQO)

02/18/07 + tx6700ux

I just found handwriting in Vista. In fact I wrote this with Vista's handwriting! Very cool!

02/22/07 + xoxUXox

Hello! As of yesterday, I am the overly happy new owner of a UX390N. I was disappointed, though, that with all the extras they include that a screen protector was not among them. However, I do have a spare 9 x 3.75" sheet from bestskinsever.com. Does anyone have EXACT dimensions of the UX screen protector? I am afraid to simply go by screen measurements as I seem to recall reading somewhere that there is an offset, so as not to interfere with the digitizer operation (?) Also, any advise on how to cut a screen protector evenly?

02/22/07 + tx6700ux

My advie 8is to order one fom link.

02/27/07 + Borrelli147

Hey, if your still selling those other 2 UX's you've got, email me at epborrelli AT NOSPAM hotmail.com

02/28/07 + tx6700ux

They are still available. I sent you an e-mail.

03/01/07 + Kirby

Hello, all. Nice site. Yes, I am new and in need of assistance.

I bought a Jornada 728 because I liked the design (clamshell with a 7" screen and 7" keyboard). I'm a writer and needed something portable that didn't kill my back that I could use to type my manuscript, go on-line and also check e-mail.

Here's the problem. A hard reset is such a hassle. On top of that, the Jornada was discontinued by HP and the Windows CE OS is no longer supported.

Is there a device that you might recommend? I have been looking into the Sony Vaio UX and the OQO models, but their keyboards are too small. I have heard of the bluetooth stowaway keyboard. Is this a very portable option for either OQO or Sony? Something that I could use on my lap in the car or plane? Would both the folding keyboard and Sony or OQO fit in my purse? (yes, I'm a woman). I like the sounds of the Sony Vaio ux380n with flash memory, but I think that's more machine than I need or want to spend.

Any honest suggestions would be appreciated.

Sincerely,

Kirby

03/01/07 + tknguyen

You might want to consider the Sony U101

link

Recent Blog: Extra USB port for Flipstart

03/01/07 + Kirby

Thank you for the quick reply. I will look into this one. I hadn't heard of it before.

-Kirby

03/01/07 + GreatDane

Hi Kirby,

You could also have a look at the Toshiba Libretto U100/105, and the Fujitsu P1510D or P1610D

Recent Blog: Performance Capped

03/01/07 + Kirby

Hello,

I can't thank you enough for the responses. Unfortunately, the Toshiba and Fujitsu are too big. Here's the dimension of the Jornada: 189x95x34 mm; Weight: 515g. That's why I was interested in the Sony Vaio UX or OQO and how portable they were with the folding, bluetooth keyboard.

Thank you again. I really do appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Kirby

03/01/07 + tx6700ux

Go for the UX. Worth the money. If money is tight, then buy a used one. I still have a 180, and 280 for sell. Wouldn't sell them if I did not have the 390. UX's are awesome.

03/01/07 + MeanSquare

Kirby,
A few more questions might help narrow things down a bit. I see you've been using the Jornada 728. The Jornada runs the Handheld PC version of Windows CE (which has lately morphed into Windows Mobile while losing the Handheld PC designation in the process). If the Jornada was suitable for your word processing, browsing, and e-mail needs, then you might look as some of the newer Windows Mobile devices that masquerade as Handtops like the HTC Advantage. A WM device should cost a lot less than a full handtop like an OQO or UX. It won't run desktop/laptop software, but, if you don't need to do that, you won't need a handtop.

If your needs are a bit more than what a Windows Mobile device can do, you might also look at the UMPCs. They generally start with 7 inch screens so they aren't as pocketable as an OQO, UX or HTC. One might fit rather well in a standard purse though. The only question here is "Are you going to be doing your typing on a flat surface (desk/table/etc.)?" Many of the UMPCs don't have a keyboard attached. You can get one as an add-on. Since it's an add-on, you'll have to have a flat surface to stand up the UMPC while you type.

The keyboards that would work with a UMPC would be the same that would work with a UX or OQO. I'm using a full-sized Logitech (DeNovo) keyboard and mouse with my UX as I type this. It works well for my desktop, but it's too big to carry. If you go with a USB plug-in keyboard, you can get a micro keyboard that's about the same size as a UMPC. Samsung makes one for the Q1 that should fit into a normal purse and would work with anything that has a USB port (UMPC or handtop). If you go with Bluetooth, you can go with a StowAway fold-up keyboard that's very easy to carry. I don't know of any micro-sized Bluetooth keyboards that aren't fold-up style. The one issue with fold-ups is that they generally also need a flat surface off of which to work or the hinge keeps trying to fold as you type.

Hopefully, the above will help you think through to making a decision that works for you.

Recent Blog: MeanSquare's Review of the Sony UX (with comparison to OQO)