CCC Week. Challenges 7-9

Thanks to you all for the 30+ requests for buying advice I had over the weekend. It’s more requests than I expected so I may not get through them all but I’m planning on calling up JKK at the end of the week and asking him to do a customer challenge podcast to cover requests that I wasn’t able to write about this week. Lets get straight into it now though with the first 3 requests.

CCC 7. Alex

Alex wants a pocketable device to run skype with video, a full browser and Wifi b/g. He’d also like to see GPS, a Windows or Linux OS and is prepared to pay up to $1000.

That Skype video requirement doesn’t sit so well with the pocketable size requirement unfortunately due to skype being a relatively processor and radio-heavy application (=heat and size!) but there’s a few things you can consider. Firstly, the Wibrain B1H with the 1.2Ghz processor. Its not quite small enough for every pocket but its a incredibly useable and mobile device. Prices on the already good value B1 should drop dramatically soon as resellers move to clear stock for the WiBrain i1 which is planned for launch very very soon. The i1 will come with a 1.1 or 1.3Ghz processor. The 1.1Ghz version will probably be too weak for Skype video though. Also, watch the build quality. B1’s were never known for being the most rugged of devices. The second option is the new ASUS R50a. Its looking like this will launch for around 1000 Euro which will probably translate to $1200 but its got that great built-in 3G capability. Alternatives to watch out for are the Gigabyte M528 (A great platform but some questions remaining over the software!) and the Viliv S5 planned for a $500-ish launch later this year. 

CCC 8. BJ

BJ needs a huge hard drive and wonders what the smallest device with a 2.5" SATA drive is.

The M912 from Gigabyte is the stand-out device here but BJ already has one of those. The Kohjinsha SH range used 2.5" drives but I’d hesitate to recommend them unless you can get one with XP. The SH6 and SH8 I tested were both with Vista and compared to the M912, they were terribly slow but if you could find one with XP, you’d save a few hundred grams. You’ll find a few netbooks with 2.5" drives (E.g. MSI Wind) but you really wont save yourself much weight. 2.5" drives and UMPCs rarely work will from a design and battery life perspective so you might have to wait for a big 1.8" drive for storage. I doubt you’ll see anything as fast as the M912 though. It really does fly. Looks like you already made the best choice BJ!

CCC 9. Kes

Kes is looking for an XP  ‘pad’ by the looks of his request. "Usage scenarios Surfing/using as ebook reader (pdfs and comics!) in chair/bed. Using at University (which I cycle to) to type the odd bit of text. Also using on tables around the house to type on and surf net. Playing the occasional game, watching the odd bit of video and listening to music. Must have Windows (XP preferred) Price <UKP500

Kes, I know where you’re coming from! This is exactly what I did most with my Q1 Ultra although its usage extended to the car and, with the superb Samsung Q1 keyboard, to table-top, netbook-style operations. The screen is top-notch and the battery life exceptional. You’ll get used to the built-in keyboard after a while but I’ll be honest, its not a comfortable experience typing on the Q1 Ultra. If you need something better for typing, try the Gigabyte M704. Its also got a great screen and good battery life although the GPU won’t be up to much gaming at all and the sliding keyboard might not be as ‘student-rugged’ as the Q1 Ultra. The Q1 Ultra and M704 are two of the best all-rounder UMPCs there are but prices might stretch up over 500 if you don’t keep an eye out for offers and bargains. Check out DFJ-Store and Mobilx for offers on the M704 and as we move towards the end of the year and a rumored update to the Q1 Ultra, you’ll probably see prices reductions and special offers on it.

More CCC responses later today. All previous challenges here.