Which computer(s) should I take to #HIMSS10?

I'll be walking all over the place while I'm at HIMSS10 so I don't want to carry a really heavy bag. I'm debating between my Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC + keyboard, or my Lenovo ThinkPad X200 tablet PC. I often travel with both, but I doubt I'll take both for HIMSS. I'll also have my smartphone and my iPod touch.

I can effectively blog while I'm at HIMSS on almost any machine that has a decent keyboard. The problem with the Q1 Ultra is that it's so slow that I won't be very productive when I'm trying to get some work done at night. I love my ThinkPad, but it's significantly heavier than my Q1 Ultra UMPC (Ultra-Mobile PC). Does anyone still use the phrase UMPC anymore? 

Stay tuned to find out which computers and gadgets I ultimately end up taking to HIMSS10!

Tablets and netbooks are secondary devices

For many individuals, gadgets like tablet PCs and netbooks are secondary devices. We may rely on a "heavy duty" desktop at home or in the office. We may even have a robust laptop/notebook that we use as our main machine. Then, we may carry a netbook, an ultra-mobile PC, or a small tablet as a secondary device.

For me, my Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC is my office "note pad." I try to avoid using paper whenever I can. So, I'm using Microsoft OneNote to take my notes during meetings. I'm constantly connected and I'm able to quickly look things up on a web browser. For these types of secondary devices, we really don't need to run a full operating system. Instead, a slimmed-down version or even a simple Linux OS is often quite sufficient. I think Lenovo has the right idea with their Skylight 10" mobile computer. Some are calling this a netbook, but this is somewhere between a netbook and a smartphone. It will be interesting to see how these secondary devices evolve as users recognize that they need for a robust solution at home and in the office and they don't need such a robust solution for a secondary device.

Sony Vaio P or Fujitsu LifeBook UH900?

The Sony Vaio P is a tiny little computer. The Fujitsu LifeBook UH900 is also a tiny little computer. So which one is better?

If you're a fan of tablet computers and touch screens, then the UH900 is the obvious winner. However, neither device is "perfect" in my opinion. If you're a busy health care professional and you're looking for a tiny little computer that you can put in your purse or glove compartment, then either of these will suffice.

Unfortunately, these novel computers are not priced like netbooks. However, let's hope that prices will come down as more competition arises. I'm not sure that I'd buy a clamshell computer if I want something really small. I currently have both an OQO model 02 and a Samsung Q1 Ultra, so I've experienced the mini tablet, the slider QWERTY, and everything in the middle.

Installing Windows 7 on my Samsung UMPC

I spent some time last night installing Windows 7 on my Samsung Q1 Ultra which is an ultra-mobile PC (UMPC). This tiny little tablet computer came with Windows Vista or XP Tablet. I've mainly been running XP but I've also been using Windows 7 RC (release candidate - build 7100) on this machine. Now, I'm in the process of reloading all my applications so that I can test the RTM (release to manufacturing) version of Windows 7.

I'm eager to see how Windows 7 performs on this device. Win7 RC worked fairly well. It was certainly much better compared to Vista. I'm hoping that Windows 7 with all its tablet-friendly features will motivate more physicians to start leveraging the tablet computer for its touch screen. I still see so many health care professionals using convertible tablets as laptops. Pick up the pen and use the screen, not the keyboard!

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.

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.