Preview of the Sony UX50 now available

Digital World Tokyo got a chance to fondle the Sony UX50 Micro PC in Japan and have published a brief overview.  They reported that although the high resolution of 1024 x 600 makes things tiny on the 4.5 inch screen they were able to see everything.  The zoom buttons on the right of the screen can be used to instantly blow things up when the screen gets too crowded.  Their impressions of the small thumb keyboard were mixed, with the flush keys not providing a lot of tactile feedback, but they admitted they were able to type with no errors.  There are some other good nuggets of information in the article so check it out if you are interested in the new Sony.  My favorite observation from the article:

It's difficult to hold the UX50 in your hands and not be impressed with the amount of technology crammed into it. It compares favorably with Samsung's Q1 ultra mobile PC, which is based on the recently launched Origami platform, and will definitely draw looks when you use it in public.

At Tuesday's launch Sony said there's also a second version on the way. This will use flash memory in place of a hard-disk drive so it's likely to be a little lighter and more expensive. That should launch in the middle of this year.

A flash memory version of this device would be a killer feature, and should make for faster performance with less battery drain than the hard drive version.  Does anybody know what the largest capacity flash drive is currently available?  The only down side I can see to this is if the drive is smaller than the 30 GB drive in the current version.

-jk

Comments

[Scott_H]

"The only down side I can see to this is if the drive is smaller than the 30 GB drive in the current version."

I have no idea, but I read another article somewhere that alluded to 16 GB. I suppose they could always put more than one in there, couldn't they?

[rotten_fruit_fan]

About the HDD size. If they live the CF slot you could just add a microdrive for files and use the flash memory to install programs.

I hope they follow trough and lower the first device's price when that happens.

By the way, I think fujitsu should be getting nervous too since this device is going after their P1510d market.

[jk]

Just a guess but I'd imagine a flash drive would be more expensive than a regular HD so I'll bet any machine with just a flash drive would be more expensive, as long as the drive is big enough.

The CF slot is only on the Japanese models, the US model has EDGE instead of a CF slot.

I don't see this device competing with the P1510D at all, it's too big a size change for those who seriously take notes and do drawing.

[Phil]

From what I have read, they are going with the 16GB flash drive, as the 32GB version is not in production yet. The 16GB will offer read times that are 1.5 times as fast as the hdd(4200) and write times that are 3 times as fast, at only 5% of the battery consumption.

The current market rate for such a flash drive is currently about $288, so the price jump shouldn't be too bad.

May not be much lighter, but for the 50% increase in read speed and increase in battery life, I don't mind losing the storage capacity, as I will be able to use the CF slot for microdrives when necessary.

Regarding the previous post - they aren't going after the p1510 market - while this does provide a keyboard, it is by no means a laptop replacement, and wouldn't satisfy the needs of a road warrior. Input will always be a problem with the smaller keyboards, and thus appeals to those who need access to information at all times, but do not necessarily need to input it in large amounts.

[Raphael Salgado]

http://www.beyondthetech.com/downloads/images/fun/x51v_ux180p_700w.jpg

I Photoshopped a comparison of the Dell X51v, Treo 700w, and the UX180P exactly to their dimensions. Looks pretty tempting!

[clearone chat 50]

there is no downside to this.. I want one now!!