Sony VAIO VGN-UX280P The Ultimate Travelers Tool? Part 1 -June 6th, 2008
Flashpacking
On the Road Doesn’t Mean Unplugged
Gadgets, Laptops and Technology for Independent Travelers and Expats
I just picked up a Sony VAIO VGN-UX280P UMPC (Ultra Mobile PC) from a buddy of mine that gave me an offer I couldn’t refuse. Well, he didn’t have to try that hard – if someone is selling a gadget around me I am sure to buy it.
The Sony VAIO VGN-UX280P is one of the smallest UMPC’s around, you can fit it in a case and wear it on your belt, or even shove it into the leg pocket of a pair of cargo pants.
An ultra portable PC like this could potentially be the ultimate “laptop” for Independent Travelers, it is only one pound and the size of four packs of playing cards 5.9 x 3.75 x 1.5 inches (WxHxD)
Some of the features (from Sony):
–4.5″ Touchscreen and mini Keyboard
The small screen is not as bad as you would expect, I didn’t have any problems navigating and reading. If something is too small you can zoom in and out by just pressing one button. The QWERTY keyboard is pretty easy to use but you probably couldn’t type just by feel. The touchscreen is cool but I haven’t really used it that much.
–Intel Core Solo Processor U1400, 1 GB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive
Not screaming fast but for the size it seems pretty fast, especially considering you are running a full version of Vista on a PDA sized gadget. 40 GB is more than enough room for most people. The internal components also have Sony’s G-Sensor shock protection that basically pads everything to prevent data loss or damage if you drop it or handle it roughly.
–Biometric fingerprint reader
I use this to lock the UMPC, secure certain private files (no, not porn) and store passwords.
–Tri-mode Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g), Bluetooth connectivity
Wi-Fi, not much more to say, good for airports and hotspots and Bluetooth is good for transferring stuff between the UMPC and your mobile phone.
–USB 2.0 port, headphone, microphone jacks and camera
I am going to use the USB for a portable hard drive (for movies and backups), and the camera might be good for sending video emails but I haven’t tested the quality yet.
–Memory Stick slot
I don’t like Sony’s memory stick format, this is my one complaint so far. Sony knows damn well that everyone uses SD cards.
–Microsoft Windows XP Professional
A real operating system!
Bringing a laptop with you wile you travel is pretty much unavoidable these days, but lugging around a full-sized laptop is a big pain and adds serous weight. So if this works out as a viable alternative to a full sized laptop it would be great. Heck, You can hardly go wrong with a laptop that fits on your belt so we are off to a good start.
I am going to test this wile I am traveling over the next two months and report on it in a series of articles from around the world. So stay tuned for more…
Next Stop, Dubai! - Really fast Wi-Fi in the airport there!
James Grey is a self proclaimed Professional Adventurer and Expat Bar Braggart. Raised in a small crappy town in Virginia USA, James decided to chuck it all in after watching Indiana Jones too many times and ventured out into the world to seek Fortune, Glory and Exotic Women. James has lived in Jakarta, Indonesia for 4 years and occasionally works in the Middle East
