BootsnAll Travel Community

Hello,

I posted a similar item in the RTW/Vagabonding forum but figured I'd also add it here.

I'm looking to buy a Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) for a rtw trip, but wondered if anyone used them thus far and if they had feedback as what works best. I've seen suggestions for a PDA + keyboard, which may work well, but I wanted to explore the UMPC option first.

The One Laptop Per Child promotion may also workv(and it's GREEN!YAY!). If anyone has feedback (e.g. on the HTC Switch, Samsung's Q1 or any of the UMPCs listed here http://www.umpcportal.com/products/ ) I'd be grateful.

Thanks in advance!

Without going into too much detail, I have a lot of experience with the UMPC form factor. I also carried around the Sony U70, a UMPC predecessor, for a summer and, frankly, I'm not a big fan. There's a reason a lot of people mention the PDA plus keyboard option, and there's a lot of reasons the UMPC form factor has proven a flop outside of Japan.

1. The UMPC's small size and emphasis on touch screen over typing renders the faster processor, bigger hard drive, and Windows Vista all but useless in daily practice.

2. Add the external keyboard (which you really need for typing emails and any other lengthy tasks) and/or an external disc drive (which, I'll admit, I've learned to live without) and you might as well be carrying around a mini laptop.

3. It is too small to be perfectly usable when sitting at a desk and too large to be carried around in your pocket like a PDA/cell phone. (Unless you're wearing a heavy winter coat with big pockets.)

If you just need something for typing out emails and checking the net, go with a PDA or smartphone. (I'm back and forth between the Nokia N95 and the Blackberry Pearl. Both do what I need them to while traveling.)

If, however, you require something a bit more powerful than a PDA...I highly recommend the Panasonic R series mini laptop as an alternative. When I absolutely need a laptop rather than just my smartphone, I use this unit for the following reasons:

1. It is just small enough. It is really really light. Throw it in a carry on bag and you won't even notice it's there. It's about the size and weight of a hardcover novel.

2. It is just large enough. The screen is an appropriate size and won't strain the eyes. The keyboard is highly usable and isn't, unlike those found on many mini laptops, too small to be practical. And there's more than enough room on the hard drive to store movies, music, maps, ebooks, video, and photos. (The SD card slot is nice too, if you carry a camera that makes use of SD.)

3. It is made for travelers. You can drop it three meters and/or sit on it without breaking it. It is very rugged and extremely durable. I don't even keep mine in a case. I just throw it in my bag.

Hope that helps.

NOTE: By the way, should you end up deciding to take my advice, let me know. I just bought a new R7, so I might have a used model (an R6) to sell on the cheap if some relative or colleague doesn't claim it first.

That's absurdly helpful. Thanks! Will keep spelunking and likely post back when I do choose something.

quote:

NOTE: By the way, should you end up deciding to take my advice, let me know. I just bought a new R7, so I might have a used model (an R6) to sell on the cheap if some relative or colleague doesn't claim it first.

how much?

Ralph, I'll PM you by the morrow.

i just picked up the asus eee 701 for a rtw. i needed something to transfer gigs of pictures to, and therefore needed a device to host drives (ie. a computer). it's highly usable and only $400. there should be a cheaper model coming out soon that has less memory. the model currently available has a 4gb SSD (solid state drive). it loads up into linux in 10 seconds!! it's certainly not as rugged as the panasonic r series that continental op recommends, but also doesn't cost $2k. there is an option to buy with windows vista installed as well, but i wouldn't recommend it unless you REALLY need vista.

quote:

Originally posted by namehere:
i just picked up the asus eee 701 for a rtw. there is an option to buy with windows vista installed as well, but i wouldn't recommend it unless you REALLY need vista.

Some crazy fella just installed Mac OS X on one too.

quote:

Some crazy fella just installed Mac OS X on one too.

sweet! wait.. not really. it is crazy on this low powered machine. i think any windows os would be insane. i suppose if one desperately needed to run a windows only program, then vista or xp it is. but then, i would be more inclined to get a vaio or the panasonic you mentioned instead. linux on a 4gb SSD with 1gb ram loads up in 10 seconds! why ruin it with bloated garbage that is vista? wait, can i say that on this forum?