I don’t get it. No, I really don’t. If Asus Eee PC is meant as a mass-market device does this mean ASUS R50a UMPC is like its polar opposite? Because the price is a far, far cry from the price of the well-known Eee PC.

continue reading "Europe Gets ASUS R50a UMPC"

The Samsung SPH-9200 is probably the closest thing on the market to my dream machine : have the specs of a laptop, full-sized (close to) QWERTY keys keyboard but can fold into your pocket.
The specs so far that have been whizzing around the internet for the Samsung SPH-9200 are:

CPU: Via C7-M Processor
RAM: 512MB RAM
OS: Windows XP Home Edition
HDD: 30GB HDD
Display: 5 inch 800 x 480 LCD
Camera: 1.3MegaPixel
Connectivity: WiFi, WiBro, Ethernet LAN, HSDPA
Battery Life: Up to 5 hours

Sounds and looks like the perfect tool for blogging on the run!

Here’s a video glimpse of it in action:

Via Mobility Site

I first heard about the Noahpad UMPC sometime late last year. While I’ve compared it to the original 7-inch Asus Eee PC before, what caught my interest is the Noahpad’s unusual form. The Noahpad could be folded on itself, like an honest-to-goodness notebook (and I’m not talking about computers here).

continue reading "Noahpad UMPC Video Demo"

More and more people are asking my opinion on which is the best ultra mobile laptop at the moment. The two that first spring to mind are the HP 2133 Mini-Note and the ASUS Eee PC. HP’s 2133 is now available in most countries whereas ASUS is coming out with an Intel Atom chip based model in a couple of weeks (ASUS Eee PC 901).

Which one is better?

continue reading "ASUS Eee PC 901 vs HP 2133 Mini-Note : Clash of the (mini) Titans"

We’ve already started to get a lot of queries confirming when the HP 2133 Mini-Note will be available in Australia. Called up HP Australia and was informed that it will be here Mid-May 2008!

For those not sure if the HP2133 MIni-Note is the right UMPC (Ultra Mobile PC) for them, check out ZDNet/CNet’s review. In summary this is what they had to say about it:

Summary Review of HP 2133 Mini-Note Laptop

The good:

* Inexpensive
* Solid construction
* Stylish design belies its budget price
* Nearly full-size keyboard

The bad:

* Weak performance
* Unimpressive battery life
* Tiny touchpad
* Misses out on new Intel Atom CPUs

The bottomline:

Despite an underpowered CPU, the HP 2133 Mini-Note PC offers the best balance of small size, comfort, and functionality we’ve seen in a mini-notebook, making it fast a favourite for on-the-go use.

Via ZDNet Australia

The HTC Shift has landed in Australia!

Experience a new era in mobile computing with the HTC Shift. Powerful enough to run Windows Vista® Business, the HTC Shift has the optimal blend of portability and functionality, giving you uncompromised performance while on the move.

HTC Shift features SnapVUEâ„¢, an always-on mode that provides you instant access to critical information — including e-mail previews, local weather, calendar, and SMS — even if the device is not switched on. Push e-mail gives you instant alerts whenever you have new Outlook® e-mails. Through Wi-Fi or 3.5G high-speed connectivity, you enjoy the ultimate productivity and highest fidelity Internet experience around.

HTC Shift also features a 7-inch touch sensitive screen that slides out and tilts to a comfortable angle. It has a full QWERTY keyboard for convenient messaging and text input. A built-in fingerprint sensor is provided for increased security.

Review on the HTC Shift:
Tracy and Matt’s Blog :: Living with the HTC Shift (Part 1)

Order your HTC Shift at Mr.Gadget Australia

PALO ALTO, Hewlett-Packard, April 8, 2008: To help schools offer affordable computing to every student, HP today introduced a full-function, mini-notebook PC priced starting under $500.(1)

Designed for the education market, the HP 2133 Mini-Note PC is flexible enough for students to use from the classroom to the family room.

“HP listened to our needs and now is delivering a product designed by education for education,” said Chris Sieger, director of information technology for Alexandria City Public Schools in Virginia. “Teachers and technology are the two most important assets in education. HP’s announcement demonstrates that it understands what schools need from industry.”

At slightly more than two and one-half pounds,(2) the HP Mini is smaller and lighter than many math or science books. It includes a suite of wireless,(3) multimedia and security capabilities to allow students to learn everywhere they go – from class to home, from field trips to vacations.

“Education shouldn’t end at the bell,” said Jeri Callaway, vice president and general manager, Personal Systems Group – Americas, HP. “HP believes providing each student with an affordable, creative multimedia tool like the HP Mini will better prepare them to live, learn and work in an information-rich society.”

Business and mobile professionals value the same mobility, usability and cost concerns of the education market. The HP Mini provides mobile professionals a sleek, lightweight device that provides access to information and the ability to collaborate with others as well as to communicate via email, instant messaging or even blogging.(3)

The HP Mini is packed with a combination of features to boost productivity and improve the overall mobile experience, including:

* Simple, refined design and anodized aluminum shell that is sleek and sturdy yet lightweight;
* HP DuraKeys, featuring a clear coating applied over the notebook keyboard that protects the finish and printed letters and characters;
* An HP 3D DriveGuard, which sends a signal to shut down the hard drive upon sudden movement or shock by using a three-axis digital accelerometer chip
* Scratch-resistant display and magnesium hinge bracket
* A large 8.9-inch diagonal WXGA display, user-friendly full keyboard (QWERTY) and touchpad;
* Ability to view video, still-image capture, web conferencing or video-enhanced instant messaging(3) with no additional hardware to buy or carry. An optional(4) integrated VGA webcam enables video and still-image capture to allow the addition of photos and video clips to presentations, documents and email;
* Two battery solutions – three-cell for lightest-weight configurations or optional(4) six-cell for longer battery life;
* Wireless technologies such as integrated Wi-Fi Certified WLAN(3) and optional Bluetoothâ„¢, allowing students to access the Internet as well as communicate via email, IM, chat, VOIP and blogging. The wireless technologies also enable connections at hotspots as well as with Bluetooth devices such as printers, mice and headsets; and
* Optional(4) Absolute Software’s Computrace(5) allows IT professionals to work with local law enforcement to track and help recover stolen or missing computers, inventory computers district wide and detect changes in hardware and software.
Via HP Press Release

Another handsome-stallion added to the filling UMPC stable…

[photopress:asus_eee_pc_zoom.gif,full,centered]

If you thought the current Asus Eee PC was a hit, wait till you see the new 8.9 inch screen version to be released later on this year – it will have a touchscreen and maybe GPS. Kinda like a big UMPC. At approximately US$500, it should sell quite well.

via Digitimes

BARCELONA — Feb. 11, 2008 – Today at the 2008 GSMA Mobile World Congress, HTC Corp. (TAIEX: 2498; “HTC”), the world’s leading provider of Microsoft Windows Mobile® smart devices, announced an updated version of the HTC Advantageâ„¢ that introduces new software, increased storage and an improved keyboard. The HTC Advantageâ„¢ is an ideal companion for the business traveller who needs a powerful and portable device that includes constant connectivity.

Developed from the ground up to be extremely portable, yet powerful, the HTC Advantageâ„¢ integrates a broad set of features into a compact and innovative design. Based on a future version of Windows Mobile, the updated HTC Advantageâ„¢ includes a customized HTC Home today screen that provides one-touch access to emails, text messages, missed calls, calendar appointments and contacts, as well as current weather conditions and forecasts for hundreds of cities around the world.

The HTC Advantageâ„¢ features HTC’s TouchFLOâ„¢ software which enhances finger touch scrolling and browsing of Web pages, documents, messages and contact lists. The Advantageâ„¢ will also include Opera Mobile 9 and Google Maps for mobile.

In addition to the many software enhancements, the HTC Advantageâ„¢ also adds a variety of new and improved hardware features including 16GB of storage, a new improved keyboard with haptic feedback and an updated version of VueFLOâ„¢ using a G-sensor that recognises the screen orientation of the device for optimal customer usage.

“Having established broader boundaries for mobile computing with the first HTC Advantage a year ago, we are introducing a wealth of new enhancements focused on improving the overall touch screen and keyboard user experience,” said Peter Chou, president and CEO of HTC. “Our goal with the HTC Advantage is to provide a small connected mobile computing device that will replace notebook PCs on daily commutes or short trips.” With its innovative built-in video output capability, the HTC Advantageâ„¢ empowers its users with freedom to make presentations anywhere. Users can run presentations directly via the projector and TV output. Its 5-inch VGA colour touch screen and innovative, magnetic QWERTY keyboard are ideal not just for editing Microsoft Office documents, but also for enjoying leisure time. Users can watch videos, browse the web, use instant Outlook push e-mail, synchronize their contacts, tasks and calendar, and navigate anywhere with inbuilt GPS and TomTom NAVIGATOR 6. Offering a complete package of connectivity, the HTC Advantageâ„¢ offers a wide variety of Wireless connectivity options such as Tri-band HSPDA, Wi-Fi® and stereo Bluetooth® 2.0 connectivity. The updated HTC Advantageâ„¢ will be available in March in select countries across Europe.

Full product spec available at www.htc.com.

See our current HTC range here at Mr.Gadget Australia.

One of the coolest UMPC gadgets will launch in Europe in the next 2 weeks – the HTC Shift!
It’s designed for road warriors who want all things laptop without the bulky size.

Features of the HTC Shift

- Always-on access to critical information with HTC SnapVUEâ„¢
- Receive instant e-mails with Microsoft® Direct Push technology up to 2 days on battery standby
- Powerful enough to give you the full Windows Vista® experience
- Revolutionary small form factor gives you portability without compromising mobility
- Adjustable 7-inch touch screen
- Mouse buttons and microPad
- Worldwide UMTS with HSDPA
- Bluetooth® 2.0 and Wi-Fi®
- USB 2.0 connectivity
- Fingerprint sensor

With its launch in Europe, it should be reaching our shores not long after…watch this space.

HTC Shift @ Mr.Gadget Australia