MacBook Air Closeout

Here's my disclosure: I shop at MacMall. I have no ownership or ties to the company. However, I do find it interesting that they're trying so hard to liquidate their inventory of MacBook Air notebooks. At $999, it's still too high for me. Oh, and it's the older model (which has some performance issues related to overheating). Apple was wise by releasing a 2nd generation MacBook Air that looks identical to the 1st generation models. You can also get refurbished older (and newer) MacBooks at the Apple Outlet.

What is the Apple "Media Pad"?

CNN has a story about the rumored Mac-Tablet (or Media Pad). You can call it what you'd like. I'm sure Apple will come up with a really clever name that has an "i" or "mac" in the name of the device. (iTablet, iNote, MacTablet, MacNote, MacPad, iPad, MediaMac, MacMedia). You can bet that it won't have the letters "PC" in the name, even if it ends up being an ultra-mobile PC.

So what do we know about this device so far? It will be larger than an iPhone, smaller than a MacBook, and it won't have a keyboard. Well, maybe we're not totally sure about the keyboard part yet. My gut tells me that it will be similar to these UMPCs like the Samsung Q1 and Q1 Ultra.

MS Office 2007 Service Pack 2

So, I've installed Service Pack 2 for Microsoft Office 2007. It seems to have rebuilt my Outlook files. Did it do that just to give me the perception that Outlook will be faster, or is Outlook actually faster now? I have to admit that Outlook feels faster to me. It wasn't too sluggish or slow to begin with, but it has the zippy feel that reminds me of Windows 7. If Vista is slow and sluggish, then Windows 7 is fast and zippy. Outlook SP 1 would be analogous to Vista and Outlook SP 2 would be analogous to Windows 7. If you haven't tried Windows 7, you're missing out on a great experience.

Windows 7 on the OQO

I'm seriously thinking about it... I'll let you know if I take the dive.

Windows 7 RC (build 7100) to Expire June 1, 2010

Reports from Microsoft indicate that Windows 7 RC (release candidate) will expire on June 1, 2010. This is build 7100 which will be available to the public on May 5. I currently have it running on more than one computer and I haven't run into any major problems.

Get Microsoft Office 2007 Service Pack 2 Now

Download Microsoft Office 2007 Service Pack 2 here. Microsoft is calling this update a "major performance enhancement," so you're allowed to have high expectations from this download. Microsoft claims that Outlook 2007 SP2 is 26 percent faster than SP1 on a set of common e-mail tasks and is 35 percent even faster with larger mailboxes. Wow! That's quite an impressive boost in performance. If you're running a beta version of Windows 7, you'll see Office 2007 SP2 appear in your "Windows Update." I'm doing the manual download so that I can boost my productivity! Image source: PC World.

Firefox 3.0.10

Q: Will Firefox 3.0.10 fix some of the problems I've been having when I visit certain websites?

A: No

I've been having problems with some websites while using Firefox 3. It's not related to my operating system (XP, Vista, Windows 7) because it happens on all my computers (and yes, I'm running all 3 of those Microsoft Windows operating systems). I like Firefox, but if I continue to have these issues, I'll have to switch my primary browser to something else.

Windows 7 Build 7100 Running Fine

So far, so good. I've been running Windows 7 build 7100 (yes, this is the Release Candidate version) on my Samsung Q1 Ultra and it feels just like build 7077. In fact, I don't know what they fixed between build 7077 and 7100. I'm guessing that they are minor tweaks and adjustments. I'm still toying with the idea of installing Windows 7 on my OQO. My OQO used to have Vista Business, but then I replaced it with XP. If OQO releases drivers for Windows 7, then I think I'll make the switch at that point.

Reflections on the Sony Vaio UX and the OQO

I've been thinking about the Sony Vaio UX series and the OQO. Both are very small computers. Both have slideout keyboards. Both run a full Windows operating system like XP or Vista. The Sony Vaio UX isn't made anymore and the OQO probably won't be made anymore. So what's the problem with these types of devices?

High price killed them. With small netbooks coming out at an average of $300, it's very difficult to justify the purchase of a small computer that's over $1500 or even $2000. Given the enconomic hardships that this country is experiencing, price is even more critical. Therefore, I can understand why companies like OQO are struggling and why Sony decided to end the UX series and come out with the Sony Vaio P super-tiny-laptop-that's-not-a-netbook.

Mobile Health Computing

I've renamed this website: MobileHealthComputing.com

It's the same content, just a new URL. Please change your bookmarks! Thanks.

The Samsung Q1EX-71G UMPC

The Samsung Q1 was one of the first tablet-design ultra-mobile PC (UMPC) that was part of the Microsoft Origami campaign. Then, Samsung came out with the Q1 Ultra UMPC (to confuse people with the naming convention). The Q1 Ultra was also called the Q1U and had a BlackBerry-style keyboard on the front of the device. The buttons were so small that most people couldn't use it, so then they started asking, "what's the point of this the tiny keyboard?" To maximize battery life, Samsung used a very slow processor in the Q1 Ultra.

Since the Q1 Ultra was so slow, Samsung created the Q1 Ultra Premium (once again, the naming convention was to confuse consumers and healthcare professionals who use tablet computers). This model was called the Q1UP. Are you keeping up? We have the Q1, the Q1U, and now the Q1UP. Keep in mind that these are all considered ultra-mobile PCs (or UMPCs), so the "U" for "ultra" gets redundant if you're calling it the Q1 Ultra Ultra-mobile PC.

The Q1UP looked almost identical to the Q1 Ultra, but it was thicker and the tiny keyboard buttons were a bit larger and were placed in a slanted position. This device was overpriced and still underpowered.

The latest Samsung Q1model is the Q1EX-71G (or Q1EX for short). This model is a simple slate with no buttons or keys on the front. So in some ways, Samsung has almost made a complete circle with their Q1 line of ultra-mobile PCs. Now, if this naming convention isn't confusing, then what is?

Testing Windows 7 RC (build 7100)

Someone provided me with a copy of Windows 7 Release Candidate (build 7100), so I decided that I'd try it out on my Samsung Q1 Ultra (UMPC) tablet. Build 7077 worked really well, so I'm sure that build 7100 will be fine. I've got the whole weekend to reinstall all the applications! Fun, fun fun...

The later builds of Windows 7 are much faster on my slow Q1 Ultra. I've been pleasantly surprised to find that this runs as efficiently as XP if I disable all the eye candy. It's definitely faster than Vista!

I've also been thinking about installing Windows 7 on my OQO model 02. I hope OQO releases drivers for Windows 7 before they close their shop. I'm currently running XP on my OQO and it's working fine, so I'm not in a rush to make changes on it yet.

Will Windows 7 be the next dominant operating system for heatlhcare professionals? Since you can run XP within Windows 7 (in a virtual environment), I think people will be fine using Windows 7.

Windows 7 RC Build 7100

It's official! Windows 7 RC (release candidate) has leaked out and it's floating around various torrent sites. Yes, it's supposed to get publicly released on May 5, but people just don't seem to want to wait. It's going to be available to developers on April 30.

Supposedly build 7100 is very similar to build 7077 (which I'm currently running on my Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC) and I've been having a great Windows 7 experience. I'm actually really looking forward to installing the final version of Windows 7. The RTM (release to manufacturing) version is bound to leak and I'm sure it will be floating out there soon.

Apple: Over 1 Billion Downloads in 9 Months

Wow, you can have a baby in 9 months! It's quite amazing that Apple has announced that they've had over 1 billion downloads! I must have contributed to that number since I installed all sorts of free programs on my iPod touch. There are a growing number of medical applications for the iPod Touch and iPhone. The iPhone has become the first-line medical PDA or smartphone for many clinicians. Is it the best medical smartphone for 2009?

Falling Hard Drive Prices

It's amazing to see how hard drive (HD) prices are falling these days. I remember when these things used to cost much more. Now, you can get a Toshiba 120 GB 2.5" laptop hard drive for $35! I've upgraded countless machines with bigger, faster hard drives. You can also use that old HD for external storage. However, make sure that if you upgrade your computer's HD, make sure you wipe it clean because hackers may retrieve your sensitive data. Technology is quite sophisticated these days. Remember that formatting your HD doesn't wipe it clean. If your HD contains patient data, then I suggest you drill a hole through it so that there's no way that anyone could ever harvest that sensitive information. Data security must be your highest priority whenever you upgrade or replace HDs in a medical office or hospital.

Should I Sell my OQO Model 02? Any Buyers Out There?

I'm so discouraged about OQO. I don't think they're going to survive. I'm torn about what I should do with this device. Should I try to sell it? Are there any buyers out there? Will we start seeing a flood of OQOs and accessories on eBay?

Looks Like the OQO Isn't Going to Survive

Sad news. Goodbye OQO.

Goodbye Origami Project

The Origami Project is shutting down. The bloggers have indicated that they are now preparing for a next era of mobile computing. I'm not entirely sure what that means, but I know that much of it is centered around Windows 7. The ultra-mobile PC platform has so much potential in the healthcare industry. As more electronic health records get implemented, healthcare professionals will recognize the value and importance of mobile devices that utilize pen-based input.

Go Green Today on Earth Day

Go Green! That's become such a common saying these days. Computers are going green and so can you! Make sure to unplug your power transformers when you're not using your devices. Turn off your PC at night. Laptops consume less power than desktops. However, laptops also come with batteries that contain heavy metals which are toxic to the environment. I'm proud of the fact that my Thinkpad X200 Tablet is a "green PC."

Bluetooth 3.0

It's exciting to see how Bluetooth technology has improved mobile computing. Bluetooth 3.0 is coming soon! I use my smartphone to connect my laptop or UMPC to the Internet and I often tether (or connect) via Bluetooth. Bluetooth 3.0 is going to be really fast and I'm eager to see how it will impact mobile computing and healthcare.

Netbooks Selling Poorly

Netbooks are cheap. Some look really cheap. They even look like toys and you wonder what's under the flimsy-looking plastic. You would almost think that these low prices should increase sales. However, netbook sales have not hit their goals for the early part of 2009.

Are netbooks doomed to fail? Are they just a fad that will pass away? Will students and healthcare professionals recognize the value they provide in the world of healthcare, or will we turn back to high-priced tablets and become a pen-based industry? Personally, I'm a big fan of tablets and pen-based input. I hope that netbooks don't die away, but perhaps we'll see a convergence of netbooks, ultra-mobile PCs, and tablets.

Top 10 Search Engine Keywords in the Last 30 Days

Top 10 search engine keywords that are bringing people to this site:

1. ultra mobile health
2. dell xt2 vs lenovo x200
3. ultramobile health
4. apple tablet + medical
5. dell xt2 vs x200
6. medical umpcs
7. ultra-mobile pcs
8. umpc for healthcare
9. umpc joe kim
10. xt2 vs x200

So will we see an Apple Tablet? Since I use a Lenovo Thinkpad X200 Tablet, I suppose I'm quite biased in my posts. Thank goodness this is only a blog! Bias is allowed.

Windows 7 RC Coming May 5

Microsoft has announced that Windows 7 RC (release candidate) will be coming in a few weeks. May 5 to be exact. The RC version is not the final version, but it's very close. The big question is: will this version be available to the public, or only to developers? I've been running Build 7077 which is rumored to practically be the RC version and it's been a great experience. I'm waiting eagerly to run Windows 7 on my Lenovo Thinkpad X200 Tablet.

Viliv S5 Premium UMPC

The Viliv S5 Premium may become the OQO replacement for those of us who have an OQO model 02. The Viliv S5 looks like a solid little device, but who's heard of Viliv? Viliv is a Korean technology company that creates ultra-mobile PCs like the S5 which fits in the palm of your hand. This little computer has generated a lot of buzz recently and it may be a great little mini table for those of you who need a full PC but don't need a small built-in keyboard like those found on netbooks.

New and Exciting Changes this Week

I'm anticipating some new and exciting changes to this site later this week (if everything goes as scheduled). What is it? I can't go into details right now, but please stay tuned! If you follow me on Twitter, you'll be one of the first people to find out when it happens.

Netbooks at Best Buy

I was walking through Best Buy today and I noticed that they now have many more netbooks on display. They had the Asus Eee, the HP Mini, the Dell Mini 9, and a few others. However, they had very few tablet PCs. In fact, the only convertible tablet PC was an HP tablet TX2Z that features a capacitive multi-touch display (which means that you can use two fingers on the screen and perform gestures). The phrase "multi-touch" has gotten confusing in the tablet PC industry. My Lenovo Thinkpad X200 tablet is considered to have a multi-touch screen because I can use my active digitizer pen or my finger as an input device. However, I can't use two fingers on the screen because it is a passive screen (not a capacitive touch screen like the iPhone or BlackBerry Storm).

Windows 7 Still Running Well on my UMPC

I have to admit that I'm extremely impressed by the way that Windows 7 is running on my Ultra-Mobile PC (UMPC). I had tried a few of the earlier builds of Windows 7 on my Samsung Q1 Ultra and they were not better than Vista. However, the latest build of Windows 7 (build 7077) has been fast, efficient, and very responsive. My hat's off to you Microsoft. You've learned from your mistakes (and failures) on Vista and you've created a great operating system with Windows 7. If you're still running Windows XP, I urge you skip Vista and go to Windows 7.

Torn About the OQO

I've had my OQO model 02 for a while now and I'm torn about the news that the company might not survive. I was torn when Apple decided to kill the Newton. I can't endure another loss like that again.

The End of Mainstream XP Support

It's finally happened:

"On April 14, Windows XP will transition from the mainstream support phase to the extended support phase, as planned and previously announced."

I'm so glad that Windows 7 is coming soon. I've been running a beta version of Windows 7 build 7077 and it has really impressed me. The engineers at Microsoft have done an outstanding job creating this operating system and I'm very pleased. I think most people will have similar experiences with Windows 7. What's great is that Windows 7 runs quite efficiently, even on older and slower computer. That certainly wasn't the case with Vista. You can get ready to kiss all those Vista-related headaches goodbye as you prepare for Windows 7.

eClinicalWorks, Dell, and Walmart

The eClinicalWorks package at Walmart will include Dell computers. Which Dell tablet PC will be included in the package? That's right, the expensive Dell XT2 Tablet running Microsoft Windows. No Apple tablet running OS X for those who are Mac lovers. I wonder if we'll actually get the chance to play around with an XV2 in the Walmart stores. People don't recognize the value of a tablet PC and most will probably use this convertible tablet as a notebook/laptop. However, for those who take advantage of the pen-based input system, they will quickly learn how efficient they can be by using the digital stylus. What about the ultra-mobile PC platform? Sometimes I wonder about these tiny devices and netbooks. Will they gain momentum in the healthcare field?

Experimenting with Windows 7 (Build 7077)

I have to admit: I did not have high expectations for Microsoft Windows 7. I had the chance to test some of the earlier beta versions of Windows 7 (including the public beta) and they didn't really impress me. However, I recently installed the latest build (build 7077) and I have to say that I've been very impressed. I installed this version on a convertible tablet (Fujitsu) and an ultra-mobile PC (Samsung Q1 Ultra) It's very fast and responsive and it doesn't lock up like Vista. If you have an older notebook/laptop, you may want to give it a try.

Tablet PCs on CSI

I don't usually watch television at home. I'm too busy blogging. However, when I'm at the gym, I'll turn on the television and watch shows like CSI (Crime Scene Investigation). Here's what draws me to the show: they use tablet PCs and other cool gadgets in the lab. You don't see many slate tablets out there among consumers. Slates are primarily used in the vertical market. However, I use a convertible Lenovo Thinkpad X200 tablet and I love it. I'm a huge fan of tablets and I think that they are underutilized in both healthcare and education. They are much more interactive than standard computers and I think we're going to see them make a comeback someday. They're gaining some traction within the medical community, but once again, this is a vertical market. Will the release of an Apple Tablet put fire back into the tablet market?

What's Happening at OQO?

There are many rumors floating around the web about the future of OQO. I've had an OQO model 02 for a while now and I love this tiny little device. It's a fantastic micro PC (or ultra-mobile PC if you prefer) and I hope that the company survives these economic times of uncertainty. The OQO has been piloted in various healthcare settings and as more patients require digital monitoring and electronic devices, ultra-mobile PCs are needed in the clinical setting. I hope we see the model 02+ that was revealed at CES this year.

Nokia RX-51 MID

I admit that whenever I go to the airport, I swing by the technology stores to browse gadgets and play with the Nokia N810 tablet Mobile Internet Device (MID). The N810 is a really nice device that runs a simple Linux OS and has a full-featured web browser. It doesn't support business applications such as Microsoft Office, so it really is a device intended to be used for digital media and web browsing. I never purchased one because I already have so many gadgets that it would be impossible to justify.

I think the new Nokia RX-51 is going to be a really nice MID. In fact, Nokia has been very receptive to feedback and improved their tablet by adding a slide-out keyboard, internal GPS, and additional capabilites. What more can they do? Let's see what Nokia delivers later this year with the RX-51. I'm optimistic that it will be a really versatile device that may help physicians who are on-call and who need to have Internet access while they're out of the house. No one wants to carry around a laptop computer, but people may slip a tiny MID in their pockets.

Windows 7 Build 7077 on the Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC

This is my next project: Windows 7 Build 7077 on my Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC. This build 7077 is rumored to become the RC or Release Candidate version of Windows 7. The last time I installed Windows 7 on my Q1 Ultra, I was not impressed by the results. However, now that Microsoft has had a chance to fix some bugs, clean the code, and make some improvements, I'm willing to give it another try.

The future of medicine relys advances in technology such as mobile computers, UMPCs, gadgets, and other devices. It's exciting to see how the world of medicine is changing because of technology.

Windows 7 Build 7048 on Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC

I decided to give Microsoft Windows 7 another try on my little Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC. This is the older model that is thinner but also slower. The 800 MHz processor just isn't fast enough to run Vista effectively. I have to admit that Build 7048 is much better on the Q1 Ultra. I had tested some earlier builds and they just didn't work well at all.

There is another Build of Windows 7: Build 7077. I haven't had the chance to get my hands on that version yet, but that will be my next project (maybe I'll get to it next weekend). Rumors are that this build will become the RC of Windows 7. In the meanwhile, I will play around with Build 7047 this week and write about my findings. I've been running XP on my Q1 Ultra, but this week I plan to use Windows 7. My excitement for Windows 7 has been renewed. I'm not being overly optimistic (yet), but I am hopeful that this OS may replace XP on my Q1 Ultra.

Windows 7 Build 7077 Runs Well on the Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC

I'm happy to report that Windows 7 (build 7077) actually runs quite well on the Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC (or Q1U, for those who like to differentiate them from the original Samsung Q1). I had tested a few of the earlier builds on my device and they did not work well at all. Somehow, the engineers at Microsoft have refined Windows 7 so that it actually runs fairly well on a slow machine that has an 800 MHz processor. I've been pleasantly surprised by Windows 7, so I've removed the Vista partition on my device and I've replaced it with Windows 7. I still have XP as a backup, but over the next few weeks I'll be mainly using Windows 7 to see how well it works on my mini tablet device.

At what point is a PC too small?

We live in a world of mobile technology. We see PDAs, BlackBerrys, iPhones, Smartphones, iPods, and all sorts of other mobile devices. Computers are also getting smaller and we see young people using UMPCs, netbooks, micro PCs, and other miniature computers. But at what point is the PC so small that you fail to be productive? At what point does the small size hinder your ability to do what you need to do? How do you balance size, weight, and functionality? After all, you can probably find a PC in a very small size, and then if you look some more, you can probably find another one that's 25% larger. So how should a physician, pharmacist, or nurse decide on the size of that mobile PC when working in the clinical setting? At what point is an ultra-mobile PC too small?

Updated Drivers and Software for the Lenovo Thinkpad X200 Tablet

I just downloaded and installed some of the updates from Lenovo for my Thinkpad X200 Tablet PC. The new software seem to have fixed some of the Wi-Fi connection problems I was having before. The Thinkvantage System Update is undergoing some changes and it probably won't be running until May. So, you have to manually download and install these updates.

Spilled Water On a Laptop Keyboard

Well, I didn't spill the water. Thankfully, it wasn't my current Lenovo Thinkpad X200 Tablet PC (which has a spill-proof keyboard). It was my older Fujitsu P1610 Lifebook (which is a tiny device shaped like an UMPC and has a porous keyboard). I quickly unplugged it, removed the battery, and disassembled it to speed up the drying process. Thank goodness for online service manuals. I'll have to wait until tomorrow to see whether or not it will work. Fortunately, this device has become a recreational device (even though it is a convertible tablet PC with a passive touch screen). It's a great little computer that I used for a while, but I quickly realized that I needed a full-size keyboard to be more productive while I traveled for work. That's why I switched to the Thinkpad. I'll miss the p1610 if it dies, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Will OQO Make a Device Just for Healthcare?

Some people are eagerly awaiting the new OQO model 02+ which will be available very soon. I've been happy with my OQO model 02 (except I wish the fan was not so loud). This micro PC (or some may even call it an ultra-mobile PC or UMPC) has even been used in various healthcare settings. As younger physicians and other healthcare professionals get more familiar with mobile technology, tiny devices like the OQO will become more ubiquitous within the healthcare setting. The landscape of medicine is changing quickly, so gadget lovers should rejoice!

Downgrading from Windows 7 to XP

Looks like Microsoft XP continues to live on. According to rumors, consumers will be able to downgrade from Windows 7 to XP. Maybe the netbook version of Windows 7 will really be XP with a new skin. I still use XP on most of my machines and I run Vista on my Lenovo Thinkpad X200 Tablet PC. To be quite honest, my expectations for Windows 7 are not very high. I've been doing some beta testing and I haven't been impressed with the new OS. I hope to be pleasantly surprised, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

Microsoft at HIMSS 2009

How many of you are enjoying HIMSS in Chicago? Microsoft is heavily involved at HIMSS (have you checked out Microsoft Surface yet?)

There are some great topics this year, especially with so much buzz around health IT driven by talks about economic stimulus. We've heard so much about this from President Obama. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, signed by President Obama on February 17, includes $19.2 billion for healthcare information technology (health IT). This means that there are many pieces to this gigantic pie for different companies raning from small and large corporations. How do you plan to contribute to the health IT revolution?

Are You Ready for Windows 7?

Have you tried Windows 7? I've been so unhappy with Vista that I've gone back to XP on most of my machines, including my mission critical PC. However, I'm quite intrigued by Windows 7. We will probably see a slim (or lite) version of Windows 7 for UMPCs and netbooks. I'm still running XP on my Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC and my OQO model 02. Will Windows 7 be the ideal operating system for power PCs and ultra-low-cost machines?

In the healthcare field, XP will probably continue to dominate for a few more years because of the way many EHR/EMR systems are configured. Plus, you're often using older peripherals like scanners, printers, bar code scanning devices, and other devices. Some ambulatory EHRs have an EKG attachment that hooks up via USB. My guess is that most of those older connections will only work on PCs running XP. So, I think that health IT will lag behind other industries and we'll be using XP for a long time.