Can UX50 be treated as a laptop replacement?

[digital330]

Finally a PDA that comes close to being laptop replacement. But still I am not very sure on this.

Attach bluetooth peripherals like on a laptop? Like BT mouse or modem.

Will I be able to use things like Yahoo messenger chat?

Sony should really have accepted defeat and added a CF slot to this. 1GB of CF card would have made perfect storage space and many accessories could have been used for the slot. (After all Sony's latest F828 camera now has CF slot and so does NX series PDA)

[digital330]

and yeah easily replaceable battery would also be very necessary for laptop replacement PDA.

[Omnitron]

Originally posted by digital330
Sony should really have accepted defeat and added a CF slot to this. ... (After all Sony's latest F828 camera now has CF slot and so does NX series PDA)

I tend to agree on the CF card -- Putting it mildly there are TOO many card formats out there. When they put out 8 way card readers you know somethings wrong . Especially if you are going to need to USE 3 of the slots! (as I'm looking to be faced with in the near future... UGH!)

CF cards are CHEAP. And still seem to be edging out stick prices.

But as to NX using them - it doesn't seem to be FULLY supported even in the NX80. Still too many strings... I would love to see them do it with NO limitations.

[Quantumduck]

Whether or not the UX can work as a laptop replacement would depend on how you would use a laptop.  For me, my SJ-30 works as a laptop replacement.  With a laptop I would type word documents and work on spreadsheets for work (and home).  Keep track of contacts, and todo lists, and play a game or two.

Guess what, with the KB-11 keyboard, and Docs to Go, I am all set.  I can even purchase Margi-to-go, and run simple presentations off of the palm.

Sooo, what would you use a laptop for?  Can you do that on the UX instead?  My guess, unless you are a power user of spreadsheets, you can probably get by with the UX for 90% of what a laptop would do for you.

Still is fun to drool in BB though, isn't it.

[tifosiv122]

Funny...I think they are still trying to make a laptop that is really a desktop replacement.

Erik

[newyorktd]

Originally posted by Quantumduck
Whether or not the UX can work as a laptop replacement would depend on how you would use a laptop...

I need 2 apps that I HAVE to use for my work. (I work as a tech dir. for tv broadcasts). If someone would port those apps over to the Palm OS it would be GAME OVER!

But until then, I have to lug lappy and my Clie among others in my Targus bag of Tech. ;)

[n2ifp]

If Sony added a CF card slot, where could they put it?

[Omnitron]

Good question --- maybe they can come up with a CF slot in a new battery pack??? ;)

[UZI4U182]

The UX could easily be a laptop replacement. My NX70v works as my laptop replacement.

[Caffeine kid]

I dont think you should try to replace your laptop with this, if you tried you would be in for a rude awakening. Its perfect for a digital assistant with a little more beef than most. Dont limit yourself to just this clie for your computer needs, it was not designed for that.

[Unregistered]

as has been indicated above - i think the first question is what do you use your laptop for right now. knowing that, will answer if it can replace it or not.

for example, if the laptop is your only computer, then good luck surfing on the small screen for extended periods. if a desktop computer is the primary computer, and the laptop is more or less used for email and remote access, then that is a different story.

i need vpn access on my laptop - something the os5 clies cannot do unfortunately. likewise for getting direct outlook access and access to my companies global email list (again, via vpn). working on powerpoint presentations or evening reviewing them in detail. in short, i use my laptop primarily for business reason, which currently is tough to replicate with a pda. if i used my laptop more for personal/recreational use, then it would be easier. i also use my laptop to download and configure vector maps for gps use. tough to do directly on my nz90.

[UZI4U182]

i need vpn access on my laptop - something the os5 clies cannot do unfortunately.


It is very possible to do VPN on an OS 5 clie. Go to www.win-hand.com

[Caffeine kid]

I think if this can be a laptop replacement for some, then that person never really needed a laptop. What that person needed in the first place was a plam.

[Unregistered]

in order to use winhand - your computer has to be on. for those that only have a desktop - you probably cannot leave your computer on a work overnight and through the weekend.
same goes for my laptop when i travel - i can't leave it on in the hotel. secondly, the view is a bit small and you have to scroll. what would be nicer of course is simply an email client such as versa or snapper. but then again, i can't access my company email directly over the internet, only through high speed vpn.

there is no current (except the t/c which pisses me off) way to get vpn and server access remotely with a os5 clie. i wish there was. i access oracle all the time with my laptop remotely, but for now, all i really need to to access my corporate outlook. with vpn, you get complete server access. with winhand, you'd still have to access the server first on the original computer.

[Perry_Riposte]

If you want a laptop, check out the new Sony TR1A -- compact, built-in Wi-Fi, a quoted battery life up to 7 hours (but don't count on it). Oh yeah, it's also $2200.

If you want a (relatively) inexpensive portable Wi-Fi device for checking email and logging on to your favorite sites, consider the UX-50.

If all you want to do is complement your desktop machine with mobile capabilities, the UX-50 looks great. (I hope it lives up to my highest expectations.)

If want you want is to replace your desktop with a fully functional laptop, the UX-50 isn't even close.

For the past year, I've been living on a Mac laptop, using it everywhere for everything. My desktop did little more than gather dust.

But with the arrival of the UX-50, I'm ready to consider another possibility -- bring my Vaio desktop back to life, and use the UX-50 as the portable extension that allows me to do whatever I want, wherever I want.

We'll see if it actually works...

[greg elmassian]

i find i'd like 3 types of devices... a small pda (small enough to carry at all times) for contacts, todo's, notes, etc... with a limited keyboard/grafitti and limited ability to surf wirelessly...

i would like a small device that can surf the net and email that also has wireless and ability to connect to a wireless modem, that is very portable... wonderful if it would fit in a pocket... need at least vga resolution..

then i need a laptop that runs windows, full sized keyboard, and good battery life...

right now i have a nz90, a special laptop that works in sunlight without a backlight (8 hours on battery with wifi going)...

thinking of getting a sharp zaurus or samsung nexio to fill spot #2...

greg

[digital330]

i basically wanted to gift Clie to someone with minor computing needs, no space for big PC, no access to Wifi but access to phone line and GPRS.

it needs to play mp3's, maybe yahoo messenger chat, check & edit emails, surf occasionally using GPRS and 56k modem, show slide shows of digital pictures from flash media, usable keyboard, decent camera, long standy times, find replacement batteries after 2 years and *most importantly* stand alone reliably for weeks/months without a supporting PC.

Although UX40 widescreen/keyboard/better memory system looks promising but I guess NZ90 is still a better fit. Ideally UX should have come with a CF slot and replaceable battery. (CF slot isn't all that big, most new PPC and some Clie's have dual slots after all!) Sony should really be selling batteries and modem for such an expensive portable device as UX40/50.

Ofcourse a small laptop like Viao TR series or IBM one can be bought but they would cost 4x (UX40 will fall below $499 mark in a few months & UZ90 is already $699 on Amazon). plus laptop won't be so cool :)

With pace at which Clie's are evolving maybe better laptop replacement would be here by Spring!

[scientist]

Zaurus is called a mini-computer
Ux is a beautiful toy in making :)

[digital330]

btw, i believe days of featureless & unconnected Palm's are numbered. they need to evolve into pocketable, connected, reliable and multimedia rich laptop replacements with long battery life.

Sony is going in right direction. plus $699 devices give them larger profit margins.

[edeab220]

I'm actually thinking of getting the UX50 instead of a laptop.

Right now I'm going into High School, and I already have a NR70. My dad is thinking of getting me a laptop (the Toshiba A15-S127), and we can get that laptop at the same price of the UX50. Yet, after seeing the SonyStyle HK site, I can see that the UX50 can do everything I was gonna use my laptop for, and probably more. It has built-in WiFi and built-in Bluetooth, both that the laptop does not have, and I would need to buy USB adapters for, as I would use the WiFi to connect to the school's network, and I would use BT to communicate with my Nokia 3650. And the UX50 also has the landscape screen, which is much better for surfin' online, IMHO. And it is also smaller and it can fit in my pocket, which a laptop will never be able to do ;).

So, do you agree with my reasoning, or should I really get a laptop?

[tifosiv122]

Originally posted by edeab220
I'm actually thinking of getting the UX50 instead of a laptop.

Right now I'm going into High School, and I already have a NR70. My dad is thinking of getting me a laptop (the Toshiba A15-S127), and we can get that laptop at the same price of the UX50. Yet, after seeing the SonyStyle HK site, I can see that the UX50 can do everything I was gonna use my laptop for, and probably more. It has built-in WiFi and built-in Bluetooth, both that the laptop does not have, and I would need to buy USB adapters for, as I would use the WiFi to connect to the school's network, and I would use BT to communicate with my Nokia 3650. And the UX50 also has the landscape screen, which is much better for surfin' online, IMHO. And it is also smaller and it can fit in my pocket, which a laptop will never be able to do ;).

So, do you agree with my reasoning, or should I really get a laptop?


Do you atleast have a desktop? I can't see writing papers on MemoPad.

Erik

[edeab220]

Originally posted by tifosiv122



Do you atleast have a desktop? I can't see writing papers on MemoPad.

Erik
I have Documents to Go...and I'll get 6 when it comes out (which would hopefully have 480x320 support by then).

[tifosiv122]

Originally posted by edeab220

I have Documents to Go...and I'll get 6 when it comes out (which would hopefully have 320x480 support by then).

Honestly...5-25 page papers, they want specific margins...specific fonts, sizes, etc...you need a real computer in college.

Erik

[ksjenkins]

I don't think that the UX could replace your trusty laptop, it wasn't ment to!

I think everyone here agrees that the Palm is an extension device, so that you can take all your "necessity" information with you. I can't justify dumping my desktop or laptop in favor of a device with a small keyboard and even smaller display. That being said my UX will obviate the need to take my laptop on every trip I take, just to check e-mail and do a little surfing.:p

You will most always need a PC:eek: But having a Clie makes it easy to leave the PC behind (if only temporarily) :D

[edeab220]

Originally posted by tifosiv122


Honestly...5-25 page papers, they want specific margins...specific fonts, sizes, etc...you need a real computer in college.

Erik
Yea, I know, thats why I sync ;) Oh...I just re-read your other post...and yea...I have a desktop...three actually.

And i'm not in college, but thanks for looking ahead for me :D

[tifosiv122]

Originally posted by edeab220

Yea, I know, thats why I sync ;) Oh...I just re-read your other post...and yea...I have a desktop...three actually.

And i'm not in college, but thanks for looking ahead for me :D

Sorry, my fault, I thought you said your leaving High School.

As long as you have some sort of computer you should be fine. A laptop is not necissary even in college.

Erik

[Unregistered]

I would love a Zaurus since it's Linux-based. I am a UNIX sysadmin for a living. But the Zaurus just doesn't have the apps I want, like Vindigo. I think the UX50. I just wish that someone would come out with a more nodern ssh client for Palm OS.

[bofh]

Whoops. I wasn't logged in and didn't know it would post like that....