Sony Vaio P

So, when will Sony add a backlit keyboard to their Vaio P series? I'm a big fan of Sony products, but I will not purchase the Vaio P unless it comes with a backlit keyboard. I'm willing to pass on a touch screen (unless we're talking about a convertible tablet), but I must insist that the device have an illuminated keyboard.

Why am I so insistent? Well, I spend a fair amount of time doing work while I'm sitting in my bed and my wife is asleep. I have a USB light that shines down on the keyboard, but this can be quite disruptive. My wife has a MacBook Pro that has a backlit keyboard and it's a great machine (but a bit too big for my uses). I like tiny gadgets - that's just who I am. I used to use my OQO model 02 (which does have illuminated keys), but that's just too small and the fan is too loud. So, I often sit in bed typing on my Lenovo Thinkpad X200 tablet and using the USB light that has a bright LED on the end.

Dell Adamo Laptop

So, what do you think about the Dell Adamo ultra-thin and light laptop? It looks really nice, but at $2k, it's hard to justify. Plus, a non-user replaceable battery? What's the purpose of an ultra-light mobile PC if you can't replace the battery when you run out of juice? That just doesn't make any sense to me and I think that the Apple MacBook Air has set a poor example.

I have had several Dell PCs and I even use one right now to run Mac OS X (x86 mod/hack running OS X 10.5.2). I also run Ubuntu and XP, so it's currently configured for triple-boot. I've been happy with Dell and I've recently purchased some from the Dell outlet for a small medical office practice. I think the Adamo has tremendous potential, but the lack of a removable battery is a deal breaker for me. I'l stick with my Lenovo Thinkpad X200 tablet and continue to use that until someone comes out with a battery that will last over 24 hrs.

Lenovo Pocket Yoga - A Touchscreen Netbook?

Looks like Lenovo is releasing a netbook-type of pocket notebook/UMPC that looks almost like the Sony Vaio P with a touch screen. Is that right? I wonder if this has a backlit keyboard (I doubt it). I imagine that the screen is a passive touch screen.

So, is this practical for healthcare professionals? Is this new innovation in technology applicable to the medical/healthcare industry? Will you see doctors carrying this device around the hospital and using it to run EHR/EMR applications? In the healthcare world, productivity is key. Therefore, you really need something that has a larger screen so that you can be efficient and productive with your time. However, if you're a doctor who takes call from home, this may be a great little gadget to carry around with you when you go out for social events (and you're on call). Imagine being at a restaurant or a party. You get a phone call from your intern/resident/patient, and you whip out your pocket notebook to look up labs, patient history, etc. Or, you use this to enter electronic orders. Either way, you can carry a full PC in your pocket. That's what made the OQO so popular among some healthcare professionals.

Apple Netbook or Tablet?

According to CNN/Money.com, it looks like Apple is preparing a netbook. Or, is it a tablet? A netbook with a touch screen? Wait, I'm confused.

I suppose no one really knows what Apple will be coming out with later this year. If it's a netbook, then I hope it's reasonably priced. Sony's Vaio P series are nice and small, but they're just way too expensive when you compare them to other netbooks on the market. I suppose the same could be said about MacBooks if you were to compare them with PC laptops.

Samsung Q1EX-71G UMPC

The Samsung Q1EX-71G UMPC is now on the Samsung website. CDW has it listed for $729.99 (the part # is NP-Q1EX-FA01US). Let's see what the reviews look like. When UMPCs first came out, I thought they would be great in the healthcare sector. Uptake has been slow with the UMPC, but the Motion C5 Mobile Clinical Assistant (MCA) tablet seems to have gained significant momentum in hospitals.

Samsung Isn't Giving Up on the UMPC

Samsung has a long history in the UMPC market. It was one of the first UMPCs that came out when the "origami project" was unveiled. Now, it is preparing to come out with the Q1EX (or NP-Q1EX). Who can keep up with this crazy naming convention?

Since I'm a Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC user, I am probably quite biased. My tiny tablet has been a good, functional machine, but it's not a multi-tasking power PC. It has a very slow processor, but in exchange, I get long battery life. It's a compromise, but one that I'm willing to make. In the healthcare field, doctors need to carry these things around everywhere, so portability, durability, and weight are critical factors.

I'm curious to see what people will think about this new Samsung UMPC. The Q1EX lacks any buttons, knows, or keys on the front. They went with a very simple and basic tablet. It almost feels like they went backwards, but maybe they are depending on all the great features that will be included on Windows 7. Multi-touch?Capacitive touch? Doubtful.

Netbooks for Medical Students

I often get asked, "are netbooks appropriate for medical students?"

This is somewhat controversial. On one hand, netbooks are small, cheap, and light. Sounds perfect for students! However, they have a tiny screen and this can significantly hinder performance and work productivity. If you're planning on using your netbook to send e-mails, do instant messaging, and other non-work-related tasks, then a netbook might be the perfect little gadget to add to your collection of mobile phone for texting. However, if a student is serious about getting some real productivity out of a laptop, then I would suggest getting something that has a screen size of 12" or more (ideally around 14" so that it's not monstrous to lug around Starbucks or Barnes and Noble).

Vista SP2

So when is Vista SP2 going to be available? Some are speculating that it may be within the next month or so. My gut tells me that SP2 will be the final service pack for Vista. All the focus will go towards Windows 7. In my opinion, Windows 7 should be called "Vista SP3." After all, if Windows 7 is going to be a minor upgrade that fixes many Vista problems and streamlines the operating system to be more efficient, then shouldn't that be considered a service pack?

I'm getting closer to a Mac each day. I'm sure all my friends who are devoted Mac users are just waiting for the day when I make that switch. Give me a tablet Mac!