Notebook computers have become a huge success story in the hardware world, even replacing many desktop systems, but many web workers may want to take a look at some of the slick notebook alternatives that are arriving. I’ve used the Windows-based examples that I’ll round up in this post, some of which can fit in your pocket, and they are surprisingly competitive with notebooks in terms of keeping you productive. Best of all, they are much lighter and easier to tote.
The HTC Advantage, seen above, fits in your pocket and has a very unique design. Its QWERTY keyboard is detachable so that you can either use the device like a notebook or use it with a stylus and no keyboard. It weighs under a pound, and goes for around $900. The device isn’t a full notebook replacement for every kind of portable user, but does work well for word processing, e-mail and communications tasks. It runs the Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system.
The HTC device has some slick features. It comes with a 3-megapixel camera, a second camera for making video calls, and has built-in GPS and navigation features. Because it’s pocketable, the HTC is a good pick for a mobile worker who wants a very lightweight and comfortable form factor. At the HTC site, you may also want to check out the new HTC Shift, which is a very small and light portable computer that can run Windows Vista.
OQO’s model 02, pictured below, is billed as a full-blown PC, but like the HTC it fits in your pocket. The model 02 comes with a 1-GHz CPU, a gigabyte of memory, and up to a 120GB hard disk, starting at $1,299. The model 02 has an option for integrated wireless broadband for $99, and you can get it with either Windows XP or Vista. For someone who wants to do everything that can be done on a notebook computer with a pocketable device, it’s a great choice. This one has been winning quite a few awards in the press over the past several months.
Samsung’s Ultra Q1 (see below) falls into a newer portable hardware category: UMPCs, or Ultra-Mobile PCs. It’s essentially a small tablet that runs Windows XP Pro Tablet Edition, and you can get one for around $1,000 for a nicely configured one, or as low as $800 for a basic model. If you need to do keyboard-based work on the move this isn’t your best choice, but the touch screen interface works well and the device stands out for VoIP calls and wireless connectivity. I have one at home that resides in a kitchen and den area. You can get lots of business tasks done on it, but I find it best for entertainment–watching videocasts, and the like.
If you’re tired of always toting a notebook, you may want to look into one of these convenient alternative devices.
Do you have any tips on alternative mobile hardware? Have you used any of the portables shown here?
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Fair enough, mobile devices these days are kind of eliminating the need to notebook’s etc. But, I would still prefer to have a notebook (and a slick mobile alternative too). There are something that I would be more efficient at doing on a ‘normal’ sized device. Once I were to get the hang of using a ‘slick mobile alternative’ I would probably use that alone. Things change with time and we have to adapt.
Great overview.
I’ve used the OQO Model 02 extensively and the X7501 for about a week. I prefer the a full web experience and OS experience, so the OQO was a better fit for me.
We’ve done reviews on the Model 02 and the Samsung Q1 Ultra. Alot of folks like the Q1 Ultra, but the split keyboard takes a little getting used to. I’d recommend getting it with XP over Vista due to performance reasons.
One last thought – these kind of mobile devices really show their power when tied with WWAN. The Model 02 has integrated WWAN through Sprint and Verizon, and the X7501 has sim card support for WWAN access and phone support. In addition, a USB WWAN stick can be used with the Q1 Ultra.
[...] Web Worker Daily has a good overview of three such devices: the HTC Advantage, OQO Model 02 Tablet PC, and Samsung Q1 Ultra. [...]
Great overview.
I’ve used the OQO Model 02 extensively and the X7501 for about a week. I prefer the a full web experience and OS experience, so the OQO was a better fit for me.
thwe advantage 7500 now has the upgrade to WM6. that mayu be worth noting.
I have tried some of these ultra portable devices for doing work that I normally do on my laptop (working on servers, network equipment, etc). For the most part, they can be very helpful if they are setup properly. There are usually a million applications out there that can assist your daily work habits on these small devices.
Personally I prefer to work from a smaller device on the routine tasks that I do (such as my Blackberry Pearl). I don’t use it for typing up security audits or setting up a Windows server but I do use it to reboot machines, log into network equipment and respond to emails. This is enough extra-portable portability for me. For the rest of my tasks, I still prefer a laptop or desktop computer.
While I have not used any of the UMPCs you review, I am a long time user of a tablet – a MotionComputing slate. I find that the key to ease of use in a mobile device is handwriting recognition (which works amazingly well in XP Tablet and is supposed to be even better in Vista).
The only problem I have is that at 3 pounds and the size of about a half ream of paper, my slate is not mobile enough for me to carry it all the time and everywhere. For these reasons I am on the waiting list for the new top of the line OQO (1.6ghz and a Solid State Drive). It’s truly pocketable and has an active digitizer which lends itself to pen input (and once you get used to working without a keyboard, you won’t go back).
Make mine an iPhone…