Mobile Computing Poll

[Jonty]

Hi guys

There is a lot of interest in mobile computing recently. We're now seeing low-power, high-performance technology in a variety of form factors. Arguably there are too many overlapping niche products, so if you had to grab one device on your way out in the morning, what would you choose?

Please feel free to vote and explain why

Kind regards

Jonty

P.S. Just to clarify:

• Smartphone (including PDAs) means Windows Mobile, Blackberry, iPhone et al. (focus on its computing capability, not its call-making functions).
• Netbook means EeePC and the likes. A small, cheap, sub-notebook computer.
• UMPC is like the OQO, HTC Shift etc. Smaller than a Netbook, usually with a touchscreen, but more expensive.
• MID is a device focused on high-speed internet access (browsing, email etc.). Size-wise, it's a handheld positioned between a smartphone and a Netbook.
• Laptop means a conventional notebook computer (whatever screen-size you want).

 

[Jonty]

Hi guys

Okay, last post, then I'll stop talking to myself

For me, I'm torn between a smartphone and a laptop. I hope to buy the Touch Diamond or Touch Pro, which has Office, email, proper web browsing, decent media playback, Vista sideshow etc. (it makes calls too ). Obviously the size is a big plus, it is small enough to pack and forget about, but powerful enough to have fun and do some work if needs be.

However, for gaming and proper work over longer periods, obviously a laptop has the advantage. A 13.3" system like the Dell XPS M1330 or HP DV3000 is a powerful piece of kit to rival most desktops (obviously not for gaming). Sure, it requires more thought to carry about, but it's still practical.

Netbooks are cool, but I wonder about the power of them. I keep thinking I'd like one for maybe using at work or when I'm out at weekends, but I'd be stuck when I need to do something more demanding than browsing, media playback, or word processing. UMPCs are slightly better in this respect, but their price tag is prohibitive. As for MIDs, they are cool, but too focused on the internet for my liking, I'd sooner have a phone (more portable) or laptop (more powerful).

Just my two pennies/cents worth

Kind regards

 

[Bob007]

I clicked laptop, am only 1 so far, unclean! Dell D505 atm.

Reasons i have/use/can't live without a laptop is fairly simple for me. it does everything my desktop does that i need when am out.

I travel around customers locations a fair bit, lappy allows me to take a fair bit of stuff i may need and with inet access i can get anything else. On mine right now theres are images for every windows version (yes even 3.11), Suse/ubuntu live images. Also have 6 VM's on it. 2k3/xp domian, xp/2k/linux(kubuntu) workgroup and a 98se. These allow me to quickly "test" things beofre i do anything.

Also with Inet access at location i have access to a wealth of information, google, technet, knowledgebase, linux forums, FH. I don't use it to game, i have a desktop for that. But it allows me the utils of a desktop PC with the freedom of a mobile device.

It is getting on a bit now tho, becoming heavier am sure of it When i do have to replace it, it will be with another laptop, so much more use to me then anything else.

 

[Kryten]

Voted for Smartphone here. As much as I'm attached permanently to my desktop, and as much as I loved my (now sold) Dell D820 laptop powerhouse, going on true day-to-day usefulness for that "odd thing" you need to know, that important email you've been waiting for or just that lunchtime browse around your favoured sites - you can't take your laptop into work with you all the time, and certainly not at all here. A smartphone therefore fits the bill rather nicely in it's place, and compliments a stationary laptop/desktop system nicely, synch's easily and of course sits in your pocket.
Have a Sony W960i myself for a combination of things like WiFi, easy synching, walkman with 8gb etc etc etc. So, its a phone, mp3/4 player and "computer" all in one.

 

[nath]

Smartphone here, though it's almost a dead heat between that and a laptop. For my work I need both, but the smartphone edges it out because I need to check my Calendar regularly and emails semi regularly. Also the smartphone has TomTom which has proven invaluable. I've got the HTC Touch Dual, I wanted to hold out for the Diamond as it looks lush, but my contract was up and wasn't patient enough

 

[Cyradix]

Laptop here...
Need something decent to watch all those tv shows I "found" on the internet while I'm travelling for work

 

[Raven]

meh, i do that on my phone

Voted phone got a second N95 now (dropped the first one, 5 min call to O2, new one came next day, top service) they seem to have fixed most of the software issues on it so can now check emails properly, browse the net and has decent video playback.

 

[WPKenny]

Same as Raven really.

I just got a N95 8gb sexeh/smart phone.

I've now got rid of several other gadgets I used to have to remember before I left the house depending on where I was going and what I was doing.

My phone's now my sat nav, mp3 player, occasional internet, 5mp camera, and 5-minute-filler (n-gage games, woot!), all in one.

Before I was carrying around an aging 1gig mp3 player with dodgy buttons, an old Nokia 6630 with TomTom installed, a separate bluetooth GPS unit and all the chargers needed to keep them going while travelling. I couldn't leave them in the car cos me and the missus use different cars from time to time and she might need the sat nav when I don't.

Now I just carry the phone and, if needs be, a usb charging cable.

If I wanted I can hook up a bluetooth keyboard to the phone and plug it into a nearby telly, edit MS Office docs, play games, browse the web and watch movies at a reasonable quality. It's all I need in a portable device.

I have a MacBook Pro for work but it sits on my desk in the office most of the time unless I'm on call. It's a half decent gaming system if I wanted it to be (2.2ghz C2D, 2gb RAM, nvidia something gfx, bootcamp=winxp) but I just cba shifting it around all the time.

 

[soze]

I have my normal phone a Nokia 6120 then i always have a smart phone my work mobile currently a E-ten Glofiish X800 previously a TYTN2 so thats my GPS as well. I use that for Internet on the train ect.

I currently have my main gaming rig and a Dell laptop i use for downloading so i don't need to leave my machine on 24/7. I'm looking for a little machine to use as my downloading machine i think i will get a linux Acer One as i like the look.

 

[Yaka]

using my trusty old dell axim x51v, prolly the last great PDA's ever made.

cant see any mobiles that beat it for the mo. really wish dell made a x51v with phone functions built in.


other than that the iphone thouch which is damn good for browsing and sucks lees than the iphone

 

[soze]

using my trusty old dell axim x51v, prolly the last great PDA's ever made.

cant see any mobiles that beat it for the mo. really wish dell made a x51v with phone functions built in.


other than that the iphone thouch which is damn good for browsing and sucks lees than the iphone

I loved my old Dell reason i got a x800 is the same 640x480 screen but has alot of extra features.

 

[xane]

I don't like Smartphones, the screen is too small for video playback and I'd prefer to just take a "disposable" regular mobile when I go out. I use a Palm T5 for PDA/video/mp3 right now, but I'd like an Eee or similar for serious mobile use later, unfortunately I just bagged an ex-work Laptop for £50, so no need for yet another (third) aptop, my missus would complain.

 

[Raven]

We are looking at getting a laptop too as the wife is starting (yet another) college course. Would like to see what Intel do with the new Atom chips though and get a smaller PC that she can stick in her handbag or something.

 

[Embattle]

The nirvana of mobile computing is something that is both small/big when you want it to be depending on what you want to do at that point in time, there are some interesting future technologies that'll aid in this area.

If I really had to pick one I suspect it would be none, I find the idea of mobile computing and communications as not being that relaxing or at least being a bit stressful/hassle. I guess it is kind of strange considering my affinity for technology, it is sort of like knowing what time a train is due to arrive, what type of train it'll be and who is on it but at the end of the day I don't get onboard.

A Netbook is about the only thing I would consider, although even now when I consider what I would actually do with it other than read websites while on the loo or in the bath I get kind of stumpped.....both of which are easier to do from my PC.

 

[Yaka]

I loved my old Dell reason i got a x800 is the same 640x480 screen but has alot of extra features.

bothe 50 and 51 series actually had 800x600 screens all thats needed is a simple tweak. i use mine mainly for browsing and stock taking/tracking and tv/movies. the current versions of netfront and opera are preety much perfect now.

i will make the jump to a pda type phone at some point just waiting on one that will replace mine with out a prob

 

[Milkshake]

I need mine to program and develop, and so my setup is currently a laptop (or 3 :S ) then a server to do any big builds or anything number crunchy....along with some cron jobs.

I think I'd like a 'smartphone', but for now I've got enough on my plate...and it's good to be switched off when I'm out.

 

[old.user4556]

Nokia N95 8 Gb for me.

Fuck, it's good; and with o2's free data bolt on, I can use the web and check emails as much as I like (fair use blah blah applies).

 

[Kryten]

Big G, how much is that data bolt on?

 

[old.user4556]

It's free (as is the phone).

£35 a month for 600 minutes, 1000 texts and unlimited data (subject to fair use, which means no p2p and constant streaming video), 18 month contract (has to be an 18 month, can't get it on the 12 month).

The combo of 3G, GPS, WiFi and free data on the N95 is just brilliant. The LED flash is also very impressive. (can post a pic if required).

 

[Kryten]

Nah, it's ok. Very happy with my w960i (chose it purposefully over the N95, partially due to hearing about some software issues on the 95 but mostly just because I'm used to the SE interface) but only on a basic tariff. I'm starting to use the data more and more and it doesn't take half a minute to go over the included 1mb allowance, after which it's bloody expensive.

Phone cost nowt after a little haggling and paying £19.99 a month tariff, unlimited texts and about 50 minutes (not much call for talktime with my speech issues ) Also an 18 month contract.

 

[DaGaffer]

Can't stand my n95. The latest firmware update has improved the shonky battery life but nothing can fix the rubbish ergonomics; the number of times I've cancelled a text by accident isn't funny. Soon as the contract's up in August, its gone. 3G iPhone or Sony Xperia X1 next I reckon.

 

[Jonty]

The Xperia X1 looks really nice A little chunky, but it's packing a heck of a lot of features. The hardware is apparently developed in conjunction with HTC, which have very good build quality. It should be interesting to see how it stacks up against the HTC Touch Pro.

Kind regards

Jonty

P.S. How long does the N95's battery last with normal usage?

 

[DaGaffer]

Until the last firmware update the best I'd ever managed to eke out is two days, normally you'd have to recharge every day. Since the upgrade, definitely better, but if you use things like maps it drains away pdq.

 

[soze]

My N95 8gb did not last 3 days with just standby if you add GPS Internet phone calls ect it can last less than a day. I had access to one but gave up on it in less than a month. The X1 looks interesting a sony style ui on a HTC device sounds good. Unfortunatly i doubt the good looking UI will go much further than the front end.

 

[KevinUK]

Wheres the Tablet PC option! <Me still fighting in its corner>