My job means that I attend a lot of meetings, give a lot of presentations and write a few documents. Ideally, I need a convertible PC.

Specifically, I am looking for something with an A5-size active digitiser touch screen (i.e. and old-style paper organiser). A5 is (strictly) 5.23″ x 8.27″ – i.e. a total screen size of about 9.78″. Therefore, provided that the aspect ratio of the 10″ screen is about the same, I will be pretty happy. Now, bring on the active digitiser!

7″ screen at 1024×600 would do me fine, I think. Maybe 1280×720, but that gets a bit dinky for reading without mass DPI surgery in my opinion. I like the size of the Q1′s 7″ screen, and I have several jackets with pockets that would accept a device with a bezel-less screen of that size.

I do like the clarity and readability of the Q1′s screen at 800×480, but alas the low resolution does interfere with some programs.

— Steve

From 12″ to 7″, definitely 1024×600

I think general population prefer bigger text over bigger desktop area, while the general niche (geek) market prefer bigger desktop area over bigger text.

8.9″ would be optimal, but in order for a good sized keyboard to work, and minimal bezel for screen, perhaps 10 or 11″.

I would have to say 7 inches, at 1280×768 (or 1280×800) just like my trusty Toshiba Libretto U105.

My perfect device so far is still the HTC Advantage. I can’t believe I’ve been using it for over 6 months now and haven’t really lusted after any other device. Weird, especially considering I’m such a gadget-whore. In the office, I have the standard 18″ (19″?) Dell monitor at 1280×1024. At home, I have the IBM X60 at 1400×1050. Both are nice for multiple windows and switching between documents. I find, though, that unless I’m doing some hardcore file editing or PDF creating, I use the HTC much more than I thought I would. (I’ve even used the HTC for briefings and presentations in the office, where otherwise I’d have to lug around one of the laptops.) Now if they could just get Google Docs to work on the HTC…..

jk again caught not reading my blog. MSI was the first to announce a 10″ screen, for its Wind.

And let’s not forget the Foleo was to have a 10″ screen.

Fiend.

Oh, and this is another reason for you to send me that Mini to fondle. Aside from the kb, I need to know I can read sites on that screen! (Knowing YOU, once you agreed to lend it to me, you’d put Vista back on it! Fieeeeeend!)

The much overlooked Flipstart got it right with 5.6″ 1024×600 screen. It is pretty much the perfect size/scale for a small device. Easy and big enough to read without strain.

OQO can be frustrating in default resolution, but the ability to zoom helps web browsing, but zoomed is a hard way to get real work done.

For portability, I want something about the size of a 3″x5″ index card which is why I bought my OQO. I run it at 800×480 and it’s large enough to ink on and large enough to read (if I take my glasses off). At the same time, it’s small enough to put in my pocket or hang on my belt.

Once I sit down, I want a big monitor. Even if I had a UMPC/ULCPC with a 10″ screen I’d want a bigger screen when I sit at my desk. Given that, I don’t see the need to lug it around when I’m on the move.

Note that the OQO replaced an old Motion slate so I have worked with a screen that comparable to your 10″. To my mind, I’d rather shed the weight and inches with my OQO. Now if I could only do the same with my waist.

I agree very much about an instant-on OS. I’ll buy anything, a Foleo, whatever, if it has good battery life, nice keyboard, and an instant-on OS.

Vista crawling to life in a minute or so is not the mark of a mobile system. It’s for a desktop that stays on all the time.

nomo, I agree 100% with you about the UX. I got to handle one for a few minutes, and I would go nuts trying to use it. The OQO, on the other hand, looks like a nice compromise – now if only I could get my hands on one !!!

Joe: I agree completely with your comment regarding instant on functionality. Vista sleep recovery is my top issue when using a portable PC for PDA applications. If device makers want to penetrate the business market, ultraportables need to wake up as quickly as smartphones.

I agree with the specs posted by James above. The optimal size for me is a ten inch display with 1280×800 resolution (which correlates to ~0.18mm dot pitch). The Fujitsu 8.9″ display (which I use daily) has a 0.15mm pitch and is on the lower limit of usability. I often zoom the text for proofreading, but sometimes the display driver gets a little twitchy. Smaller devices like the Sony UX induce headaches every time I’ve tried using them.

I have to say a 10″ screen would be nice.
I’ve owned a Fuju P1610, Samsung Q1, and recently an HP Mini-Note.

I have the opinion that you can get away with less than 10 inches when using slate devices. With a slate you can pull it in closer to read. When it comes to a standard laptop style, manufacturers would appeal to a much broader audience with a 10 inch screen.

Oh and by the way, something I wish more manufactures than Asus were pushing for is INSTANT ON! I think Jeff Hawkins got it right when he trumpeted the shift that occurs with an instant on OS.

Kevin and Eric, I have experimented with DPI settings as well as IE text size, but usually fall back, because it plays havoc with pop-up windows and the like, and with some websites. The only UI customization that is a must for me was widening the scroll bars (think I saw that here, actually) to make stylus navigation a bit easier.

On another note, despite the P1610′s excellent integration of touch, my next device *must* have either an active or capacitive touch digitizer. Active preferred, I find I really miss cursor tracking and hover pop-ups. Guess that’s another story for another day.

This is something we’ve been covering for two years now:

http://jkontherun.blogs.com/jkontherun/2006/06/some_thoughts_o.html

As devices get smaller it’s an even more important topic than ever before. My thoughts:

5″ screen- 800×600 is perfect
7″ screen- 1024×768
9″ screen- 1280×800 (or 768)
12″ screen- 1280×800
15″ screen- 1600×1024
17″ and bigger- 1980×1050

7″ at 1920×1200…?

I like the sound of that. ;) It’d be too much for most people, though, I think — while that hasn’t happened so far, it’s bound to sooner or later, which is a trend I wholeheartedly support.