UFG
09-29-2004, 03:48 PM
Honestly, I'm not a big fan of the VZ form factor. More specifically, I'm not a huge fan of the sliding action that seems to be popular in consumer electronics nowadays.
The problem I see with the sliding action is that it really doesn't have very many benefits over a more traditional clamshell form factor. Sure, it's nice that you can check data really quick without opening the device up, but there are really quite a number of drawbacks. For one, although you can view the information without having to open anything, your screen is unprotected unless you have some sort of case, which you'll have to open. Thus, you really aren't saving any time over a traditional clamshell PDA. Also, with the dual-hinge in the UX series, you could keep your device in tablet mode, allowing you the same information viewing power as the VZ. Also, with the slider form factor in the VZ, you have to squish all of the buttons onto the lower third of the bottom half of the device. A clamshell device, on the other hand, could be as thick as the VZ while still having the space for a full-sized keyboard.
I guess some people might find it "stylish," but I'd rate the UX above the VZ in terms of style anyday.
Just my two cents.
The problem I see with the sliding action is that it really doesn't have very many benefits over a more traditional clamshell form factor. Sure, it's nice that you can check data really quick without opening the device up, but there are really quite a number of drawbacks. For one, although you can view the information without having to open anything, your screen is unprotected unless you have some sort of case, which you'll have to open. Thus, you really aren't saving any time over a traditional clamshell PDA. Also, with the dual-hinge in the UX series, you could keep your device in tablet mode, allowing you the same information viewing power as the VZ. Also, with the slider form factor in the VZ, you have to squish all of the buttons onto the lower third of the bottom half of the device. A clamshell device, on the other hand, could be as thick as the VZ while still having the space for a full-sized keyboard.
I guess some people might find it "stylish," but I'd rate the UX above the VZ in terms of style anyday.
Just my two cents.