If you read this blog you know that I like mobile technology. I have the Asus Eee PC 701 and still love it, a Macbook Pro (awesome), a slew of BlackBerry devices and now a Sony Vaio UX390N Ultra Mobile PC.
The 390N is 1.1lbs with the standard battery. It uses a 1.33GHz ultra low voltage Intel Core Solo. One of the best parts is that it uses a 32gb Solid State Drive instead of a rotating hard drive. 32gb is adequate storage since this not my "primary" PC. I do have my email setup on it and a few other things - but still have 20gb free. I replaced the Windows Vista Business install with XP Pro - I don't care about hand writing recognition.
On the device itself is Wifi (802.11 a/b/g), WWAN from AT&T (very nice if you are already a subscriber), keyboard, touchscreen, pointer style mouse, 2 cameras, a fingerprint reader (I love biometrics, I don't have to type a password anymore), USB port, Memory Stick port (i wish it was an SD slot) and headphone/microphone jacks - of course there is a power port too. The included docking station adds 2 more USB ports, power, firewire, ethernet, VGA out. S-Video.
Using an Ultra Mobile takes a little time to get the handle on it. The keyboard is nice and if you are a BlackBerry user - you shouldn't have any problems. Some people say the keyboard stinks or needs improvement - but I like it.
Most of the time I use my Macbook Pro for software development and testing with 3 or 4 VMWARE virtual machines running at one time. Even now, I am using the UX390N while the Macbook is doing something else.
Best thing about the 390N, it's a real PC - no compromise on functionality and the weight. It comes with a protective case that could realistically be worn on a belt - but I'm not that geeky. The built-in WWAN is very convenient, it's still EDGE service - i get about 225k connection speeds, but for web based email and pop/imap services along with even remote desktop connections - it's OK. It's not a cable modem, but the speed is workable. AT&T did some upgrades to their EDGE equipment to maximize when the iPhone came out.
I bought the extended battery which increases the weight about 4 ounces, but it still fits in the same case and fits in the docking station. The battery life was about 2.5 - 3.0 hours on the standard battery when set to "Performance" power settings (I won't sacrifice speed for battery). The extended battery is giving me over of 5 hours, I dimmed the screen to 50% and got over 6 hours, some people have reported 9 hours - but even at 5 hours that's enough for me to use it to watch movies on a plane from Columbus, OH to Phoenix, AZ and still have an hour left. Not to mention I can actually use it on a plane, that time is no longer dead (non-billable) time - I can catch up on my documentation. With my Macbook and event the Asus Eee PC my elbows end up in very weird positions.
I got my UX390N from www.woot.com the price was awesome - check them out every day for a new deal.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment