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Rating:  -
The unit is very well designed for two-hand, two thumb operation. I like the thumb mouse control button. The docking/charging station and the touchscreen were pleasant surprises. The keyboard isn't as easy to operate as the much smaller Treo - definitely needs to be revisited by Sony. The zoom works nicely, but the translucent zoom setup screen (which pops up on cursor movement if zoom is active) often obscures a portion of the small screen, interfering with cursor placement. Beautiful high res display.
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The Sony VAIO VGN-UX280N is not the best choice for conventional laptop computer use. It is, however, a superior computer for someone who travels a great deal and needs a computer suited for mobile use. I'm a field archaeologist and I have used this computer while traveling and it has increased my productivity. While I'm in the field I make use of many of the features to produce reports simply, easily and I'm able to transmit these reports directly to a user at a great distance. It also allows me to keep notes and provide detailed memos that I need for my work. Some of the applications that make the best use the computer are:
* Book Reader: The computer can be used as an excellent electronic book reader. I have three book readers installed on my computer, including Adobe reader, Microsoft reader and Adobe Digital editions. Whenever I have this computer, I always have a book to read from the wide library of inexpensive or free books that I can download from the Internet.
* GPS: If you install a GPS program like DeLorme and use a simple GPS antenna attaches to the computer through your USB port, you will have an excellent GPS system for your car that has all the same features including voice directions that a dedicated car GPS has. If you've ever tried to use a larger laptop with a GPS antenna and GPS software you know how unwieldy that is. This computer is small enough that it can be easily mounted anywhere in your car and the screen showing your position and route will be visible. I have been able to use the GPS software to travel directly to remote destinations and also use it to create detailed maps that I used in reports.
* Voice Recognition Software: Software like Via Voice or Dragon Speak with a good quality microphone can turn this computer into effective machine that recognizes your dictation and turns it into text. This is another invaluable tool for someone on the go; you can dictate while you're driving, in an airport or when you are walking around. I have dictated long detailed sets of field notes while my memory was fresh when I was driving. I was able to use time to produce my notes that normally would have been lost. Your spoken word will be turned into a set of notes they can easily be referred to and shared with others at a later time.
* Tablet PC: The computers equipped with several utilities allow it to be used as a tablet PC. Sony provides a program entitled "Pen Plus" which allows the user to make drawings using the stylus on the touch screen and save them. I have used this feature to produce simple measure diagrams that I can then store and refer to at a later time. Microsoft Word also has utility that will convert script entered onto the touchpad with a stylus into text. At meetings I have used this feature to take detailed notes that did not need to be typed for the record.
* Communication: The computer can communicate through Bluetooth, WiFi, and cellular phone technology with other devices. A user can communicate through e-mail through an existing cellular phone with Bluetooth, through WiFi using the Intel Pro set wireless setup system and finally you can set up a wireless account through Cingular using cell phone technology. This means that you can communicate through e-mail and other forms using these three forms of communication almost anywhere.
* Keyboard: The existing keyboard that is provided with a computer is difficult to use. Replacing this keyboard with a simple portable keyboard that is connected through USB will allow the user to enter data quickly and easily.
* Camera: The existing camera that is provided with a computer can be used for various types of field documentation. As a field archaeologist, I can easily take photographs using the camera and insert them into reports. There are better cameras on the market than the one provided with this computer but the simplicity and functionality of having this camera combined with a computer provides me with a system that outweighs any weaknesses.
While I was doing fieldwork about 10 years ago I wished I had a device that combines GPS, a camera and a computer that would allow me to compose reports detailing the location, the appearance and a narrative description of problem areas such levee breaks that I hiked out to see. This computer gives me the ability to do all these things simply and easily and provides a method for transmitting my results quickly through cell phone technology to a user who may need the information right away.
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Small, ultra portable, awesome screen.
Hook it to your belt and go.
Like everybody else says, the extended battery is a must.
I use mine with Sprint's wireless usb card, just like broadband at home.
Rating: -
as a field service engineer carrying a tool box, manuals, parts and that brick of a dell laptop every where. my little vaio saves the day. if your on the road 5 to 6 days a week it rocks.
true, it is a complete laptop in the palm of your hand. i can even take over the customer's tool thru the port replicator.
key board is small, but if you have been link to a crackberry for the past few years. then the key board is huge.
the cell internet that comes with it, sucks. get the sprint thumb drive wireless thingy. it works in every major city, europe, and the middle east. its almost as fast as your home connection.
the screen size is perfect for reading DOCs or PDFs. i had everything on a dell axim in the past. which you can't read any doc on. its just too small. i now carry all my tech manuals and procedures on the vaio.
no more dragging that gaint, heavy crappy dell laptop thru the airports. security is a non issue, the vaio hangs on my belt, making messing around with my shoes, belt, coins and cell easy. i don't even carry a bag any more.
you will need the large battery if you plan on working during your flights. the normal battery lasts about 3 hrs. the large about 7hrs, thats JFK to London right there. on one battery!
Rating:  -
I bought to use it in Turkiye. But I cannot access to internet. This product uses Sony Ericsson'un CG83 EDGE Modem (850Mhz, 1800Mhz, 1900Mhz). My GSM operator (Turkcell 900MHz) and others (Avea and Vodafone) doesn't work with it. I try to find a solution and reach a blog. I have to buy a GSM adaptor to access to internet! If you want to buy and use outside of USA, Think twice. Reach to your operator and ask that.
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