Sony updates the Vaio P Series (tiny notebook)

Sony has updated the Vaio P Series of mini notebooks. Starting at $799, these slim little computers can probably fit in your white coat pocket. The new features include a touch pad (it's really a thumb pad) and a built-in accelerometer. In addition to rotating the screen, tilting the device will also move web pages forwards or backwards (tilt and navigate). I think a "tilt and pan" would be an interesting feature to build into mobile computers. You can read more about the updated Sony Vaio P on Engadget.

Fujitsu LifeBook UH900 vs. Sony Vaio P

Thinking about getting a really small PC? How about a tiny PC? Well, maybe you've been playing with the Sony Vaio P series at your local Sony store. If you want something that's even smaller, then you may want to look at the Fujitsu LifeBook UH900.

At Pocketables.net, you can see some great photos comparing the Fujitsu LifeBook UH900 vs. Sony Vaio P. So, if you thought the Vaio P series had a small keyboard, think again!  Image source: pocketables.net

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.

Fujitsu LifeBook UH900 (Smallest Multi-Touch Handheld PC)

I've owned several Fujitsu tablet PCs. They recently announced their smallest multi-touch handheld PC called the LifeBook UH900. Here's a snippet from their recent press release:

Combining amazing engineering with the latest technology, Fujitsu presents the LifeBook UH900, delivering unprecedented mobility with complete PC performance capabilities and multi-touch feature. Featuring a 5.6-inch vivid glare screen and estimated to be the size of a long wallet, the 20.4cm x 10.65cm x 2.38cm ultra lightweight LifeBook UH900 has an unrivalled sleek design which can be easily slotted into a clutch bag or a pocket! With full wireless communications capabilities and also a 3.5G configuration, the LifeBook UH900 charts the epitome of ultraportables with full-featured PC performance.

Reminds me of the Sony Vaio P series, except that this device features a touch screen. I'm sure this one's going to be expensive! I'm guessing that this will be replacing the existing U or U800 series (U810, U820, etc.). I wish that the screen on the UH900 could flip all the way back or swivel like a convertible tablet PC. That was a feature found on the U800 series.

Sony Vaio P for $299?

The Sony Vaio P is a tiny little computer. I can't call it a netbook. Sony won't like that. It's generally priced at $849 (less if you get a refurbished model from the Sony Outlet), but it may appear on Verizon Wireless for $299 if you commit to a 2-year contract with a data plan.

What do I think about the Vaio P? I think it's a great little computer if you like tiny font on a small screen and you don't need long battery life. I've had several computers made by Sony and I'd buy another Sony, but I won't pay retail for a Sony. I enjoy playing with gadgets at the retail Sony store, but you won't find me walking out of that place with a bag in my hand.

The Viliv S7 reminds me of my Fujitsu P1610

The Viliv S7 is a really tiny convertible tablet and it reminds me of a convertible tablet I once owned: the Fujitsu LifeBook P1610. Fujitsu now has the P1630 and it's a really nice (tiny) convertible tablet that has a decent keyboard.

So, Viliv is a small company that is starting to create some novel computers that are really small. The S7 has a 7" touch screen and it's a bit smaller than the Fujitsu P series, so I can't speak for its keyboard. When the keyboard gets too small, it becomes too difficult to use. For example, the Sony Vaio P series is probably too small for most people. Of course, Sony was targeting women with the Vaio P and I suppose that makes sense since most women have smaller fingers compared to men. This is especially true if you're talking about Asian women.

Viliv is a Korean company and I think it has potential if they create products that are high in quality. Earlier this year, they launched the S5 and the X70.

Would you use a "mini notebook" over a netbook or notebook?

First, perhaps we have to define the term "mini notebook." I am not referring to netbooks. I'm not referring to tablet-style ultra-mobile PCs (UMPC). In my book, the category "mini notebook" is a very unique category because we see a few devices out there that don't really fall into the UMPC or netbook categories. Some may say that they're a netbook or UMPC, but I'd probably disagree.

Let me pick on two examples:

1. Sony Vaio P. This is a very slim mini notebook. It lacks a touch screen. The screen is 8" and it weighs 1.4 pounds. Some may call it a netbook, but Sony prefers not to call it a netbook. I call this device a mini notebook. It's smaller than a netbook. It could be a UMPC (since it is ultra-mobile), but that could be debatable.
2. Fujitsu U820. Fujitsu calls this device a "mini-notebook." It has a passive touch screen that is 5.6" and the device weighs 1.32 pounds. This device can be converted from a notebook to a tablet. So, it's actually a mini convertible tablet PC. Fujitsu shouldn't call it a mini notebook.
   

Are these mini notebooks practical devices? Or are they glorified toys (very expensive toys) for gadget lovers like me? They're still far too expensive to compete against netbooks. Will they survive? At some point, devices can be too small to be very useful.

As smartphones become more powerful and as they blur the line between smartphone and MID (mobile internet device), we will certainly see an evolution of mobile computing practices. What if someday, your smartphone is your entire PC? You dock it at work, use a full-size keyboard with two monitors, and then you remove it from the dock to take it home with you. Can you imagine holding that much computing power in your pocket?

Sony Vaio P

It appears that Sony is refreshing the Vaio P series this fall. What do we expect to see, other than Windows 7? Will they include a backlit keyboard? (I doubt it, even though it could really use it). What about a lower price? If you haven't had a chance to play around with a Vaio P, I urge you to watch this video and then walk into your nearby Sony store. I don't think you'll walk out with one, but you'll be impressed by this little toy.

What Role will Netbooks Play in Healthcare?

What role do netbooks have in the world of medicine? Do doctors and other healthcare professionals use netbooks? Are they more like toys or do they serve a practical application?

Here are my two cents ($0.02):

• More medical students will purchase and use a netbook so they can have something small and light when they go to the bookstore (or Starbucks) to study. After all, netbooks are inexpensive and medical students don't typically have a ton of cash. These students are more likely to continue using netbooks as they recognize the value of mobile computing. As a result, they will be netbook users during residency and even after they complete their training.
  

Not convinced that more physicians may become netbook users? How about another this?

• Because of the recent push to implement electronic health records (EHRs), we will see more EHRs being utilized in the near future. This may also translate to an increased use of computerized physician order entry (CPOE). This means that physicians who are "on call" may need to have access to a computer if they wish to enter orders. Instead of carrying a laptop when they go out to dinner (or to a party or any other social engagement), they may opt to carry a really tiny PC (also called a netbook) like the Sony Vaio P. This thing is so small that it fits into a purse! Netbooks may become the perfect companion of physicians who need to have access to a computer for their CPOE needs.
  

So, is there a chance that netbooks will gain traction among physicians? I can think of two good reasons to say "yes."
Image source: TechBot

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.

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.

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.