Anybody have the UX*** mini-computer?

I noticed Sony updated it with 1gig of ram. I was wondering how good the unit is?
I saw the Samsung Q1(I think) which is MUCH larger but cost almost 1/2 the price. I was hoping someoen here can tell me more. THeres not too much reviews for it, and I see in Japan there are flash based versions of this. I would hate to buy this, only to have the flash version come out.

 

I've heard mostly great reviews about it, I personally think its much better than Samsung's offering anyways. If I remember, the Samsung has only a 900 mhz Celeron M, whereas the latest UX has a 1.2 ghz Core Solo for instance and more features such as a fingerprint scanner, two webcams and a keyboard.

 

I have UX180P and all I can say is - WOW !

It's incredible what is packed in such small enclosure. It's very well built and it's equipped with everything you'll be needing on such small computer.

Samsung follows original Origami concept but Sony made a class of it's own. It's on pair with early TX series, if we talk about raw power.

Beautiful 4.5" screen with 1024x600 resolution is his up and downside, all at once. Screen is beautiful but it gives you very strong eye strain. If you have poor eye sight you'll not love Vaio UX so much.

If you have some more questions feel free to ask.

 

I had the UX180p but now got a UX90 that comes with 16GB flash drive. Although mine only has 512MB, it is still faster than many computers that have 1GB of ram, mainly due to the flash drive. The screen is incredibly beautiful but small. If your eyes are good then you will no have problem using. I always use my device docked and connected to a 19" monitor when I am at home.

The battery life could be a problem if you are on the road a lot. The standard battery gives about 2hrs of constant usage, while the extended battery is twice that.

 

See I saw the flas drive one. I like the speed, but besides a lightly better battery life (which is a good thing) and faster loading of software, many software would get bogged with 512mb. Like office programs or even some games. Not that games would run well on thsi small screen.

Hey how do you put programs in? It doesnt have a cd drive? USB drive? How much are those nowdays?

Also, the reason for getting this is to have a navigation system for the car. I told myself if the car doesnt have nav, I was gonna buy a handheld version. BUT the good ones are already $800 for a 4.5in screen. So I figure, why not get something that does everything... The Q1 is nice for that, but its much larger. Sony is small, but I wonder if its too small.

And I wonder if 2hrs is good enough. Hows the screen brightness? Anything bad?

 

I usually use USB flash drive for utilities and small programs and I use my home network for installing large programs since I don't have USB optical drive.
I don't know the exact price for USB optical drive but you can find cheap slim optical drives that don't need external power (they use power from 2 USB ports, one data+power and one power only).

I also thought about that but, frankly, I haven't tested it yet. I also fear that screen is to small for 1024x600 resolution runing GPS program. Perhaps scaling down to 800x600 would be a lot more comfortable...

It's a bit more than 2 hours with standard battery. You can buy extended for twice the battery time.
Screen brightness is excellent, really, no complaints there.

Downsides are (IMHO):

1. Small screen for such big resolution
2. Below average battery life
3. Keyboard is not superb, it's just OK

It would be great to purchase 16GB flash drive and put it inside instead of HDD drive. That way UX is totally without moving parts and has a bit more juice to spend.

I'm sort of mixed feelings about this little gizmo. In one way I like it and it far more advanced than any UMPC on the market. On the other (smaller) hand, small screen and high resolution bother me after a while. But it's not a big issue for me because I have Asus A8Js as my true laptop.
UX is a great PPC replacement for me.

 

same here. I have the SZ160 for my portabel computer. I thought abut the TX. It has a larger screen but now its a laptop. But 11in is small by laptop standards, but price moves to $2k vs 1.8k

 

btw, how well does standby work? I would use it, then throw it into standby while on the go.

 

I played with one of these units at a Sony Store here in Dallas, and I was quite impressed. The size and weight of this thing is incredible, and it has a fingerprint reader!!! Amazing. As for the navigation thing, I use a Samsung A900m as my "portable GPS unit", and it works FANTASTIC. For the $150 I paid for the phone, I can't complain one bit - and it's a WHOLE lot less than a UX!

Javier

 

I am extremely impressed with all they managed to cram in there. Really the main reason I myself would avoid it is because of the mediocre battery life.

 

I've desided to hold off. I found a place that will sell it for $1599. BUT most places now have it for $1699. I have a feeling Sony is gonna be discontinuing(sp) the unit for the release of the flash memory version in the USA. I hope they can keep the price down.

 

Hi Outie!

I'm considering buying the UX90 with flash drive.
I'd like to pick your brains a bit because I'd be setting it up very similarly to the way you use it.

That is, I'd dock it at home and connect a 17" or 19" monitor to it.

So here are my questions:

- In addition to the external monitor, can you plug in a USB keyboard?
- Are you using a 19" *LCD* monitor?
- What is the speed/response of the monitor compared to using a desktop (I know people who have tried using an external monitor with a PPC and the monitor was extremely slow in response).
- No fans of any kind in the unit right?

All I can think of now. Thanks!

Ric