Torn between the MX and UX...help needed

Good day!

I've discovered the PortableOne laptop while reading these forums and have pretty much decided this is what I want to purchase.

My problem (which seems to be common based on posts in the forum) is deciding between the UX and MX. Seems most are opting for the MX.

My needs: (1) Portable enough to carry with me frequently, (2) Good enough screen that I can use it outside on deck in summertime instead of being on a leash in my computer room and (3) equipped such that I can browse the Internet, e-mail, play online games (nothing like what you guys do), dumping digital photos and video on while vacationing to view and possibly edit (nothing bigtime).

The UX is the one that physically appeals to me but it has onboard graphics. The specs say Intel DVMT...is that the same as Intel Graphics Accelerator 950 that is shown on most other laptops with onboard graphics? What the machine be Vista Premium ready with this? Will it suffice for my uses above?

OR...should I, like so many others posting here, opt for the MX to get the discreet graphics card?

Also, because I want to be able to use it outside in the summertime, do you recommend that I go with the transflective screen? It sure is expensive!

Any comments would be appreciated.

 

no the machine will not be windows premium ready.


you need a 128 mb dedicated gpu.

If you have only these two to choose from get the mx.

However portable one definitely sells a machine thats in the middle too its the sony sz.

I like their line up because I like the sony sz and the asus a8js as the best machines of their class.
It shows me they know at least as much about it as I do.

I dont like the ux that much at all really although I dont necessarily think theres another one like it thats better. I like the sony sz a lot more.

 

I am no notebook deity ;-) but I would go with the UX, personally my favorite ultra portable. Have all here to play with and like the build quality of it best, should be classified as a semi-rugged unit very thick gauged magnesium alloys top and bottom. It is Windows Premium Ready and certified by Microsoft; you also get a free upgrade to Vista Business Edition with it once Microsoft launches it. Sure it is not a gamer’s laptop but if you are not needing a gaming rig the UX can handle anything you throw at it with all the latest Intel Core Duo 2 processors options etc… quite a powerful machine. The TrioView modifications on the latest UX's truly look exceptional on these since they have less glare on the standard displays than the MX-A8JS’s and SZ’s, so if you need to view screen under direct sunlight I recommend it.

here are Microsft requirements for Vista Premium: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/capable.mspx

And Footnote #2 for Vista Premium GPU requirements:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/capablefootnotes.mspx
(If the GPU uses shared memory, then no additional graphics memory is required beyond the 1 GB system memory requirement; If the GPU uses dedicated memory then 128MB is required.)

 

The UX has longer battery life and better built then SX? Isn't the SX newer?

 

what kind of online games do you play? the graphic requirements will be the key issue in deciding between a model that is much lighter, more compact versus one that is bigger and better equipped for gaming.
as far as the UX.. I think its really the best looking design Clevo has produced (they are the ODM) i wish they had a 13.3" or 14.1" design that looked like that. From what I've seen, it seems that P1 is the only well known and reliable reseller selling this model.

 

You know Ivan...

because those requirements defy the laws of computing I think we can get rid of them.

The reason is that if a laptop has a gpu with even 8mb ok, that means it would run 120 mb as integrated graphics.

It would still be faster than an intel 950. So how could it miss the requirements but a computer with no gpu pass?

What has to be involved there ( if its not just bs anyway) is that it simply turns off the ui or it goes to a different mode, an intel 950 in between mode. An extra machine marketing mode if you follow me....

Theres a big difference between running the UI of vista and running it in playschool mode.

Either it needs a gpu or it doesnt right? the 950 is not a gpu.


There surely is no game that needs 128 mb video ram but if you dont have that integrated graphics are cool. lol.

 

Lotta: Here are probably the main questions that will help you decide.

***What types of games will you be playing and for how long?
***And, will you be playing the latest games until it can no longer keep up?

If you say yes or most likely, I say get the MX. If you have gamer blood in you, and though at the moment you don't want/have any games, you will eventually find some you want to. I know I got that. So I opt for the MX and waiting for it to come.

Of course if I wanted to quit gaming (pretty hard to do, I was still playing HL,TFC), I would go for a integrated card. But, I would probably find a way to game. Which was one reason I couldn't "force" myself to get a tablet PC(gamer's blood).

Hoped that helped. Both are good machines. It's up to you.

Btw Ivan, will P1 be doing the Trioview modification on the Asus line tabletpcs?

 

Not on the tablets anytime soon, still working on work around the added wacom digitizers in the tablet pc's.

And to confirm stamar, yes there are added benefits to having the larger dedicated gpu's in Vista, such as, driving the Windows Vista Aero User Interface, but dedicated gpu's do need more power and since the UX already has the latest and greatest 32bit/64bit processors in them adding dedicated gpu's in them too would sacrifice more battery life, the UX is not designed for gamers, they are designed for people who need a small portable power house to get work their work done anywhere they happen to be.

 

Basically you need to choose over whether weight or gaming is more important. Both are portable, but the extra 1.5+ pound of the MX can feel substantial IF you are carrying it around constantly. If you only occasionally carry it, then you might prefer the added gaming versatility.

Either way you've made the right choice. They are both tops in their class machines.

As for the screen upgrade- it really is unique. I've written about it before in earlier posts, but let me reiterate it is the best compromise between matte and glossy. It has the color clarity/richness of glossy screens but without the reflective issues; indoors with overhead lighting or outdoors with sunlight there is a very big difference. I got the upgrade for primarily indoor use (glare on a Fujitsu VC screen, one of the best glossy screens made, was very annoying to my daughter) and it was worth every penny- it's that different.

We have last year's UX (different model, of course), but it has held up beautifully, despite going in and out of a messenger bag crammed with books all day long. Law students probably give laptops as much hard use as they can get and I've been impressed with the build quality- no loose hinges, no creaking; more importantly, it is an extremely reliable machine.

Last but certainly not least, the most improtant thing is that with either unit you will get Portableone's unparalleled customer support...and that is "priceless!"