When the ultra mobile PC world had a little more momentum than it does today, Sony had a few high-end offerings that stood head and shoulders above most other models in that they had some amazing engineering and used some relatively high-end CPUs. The Sony UX range had a huge fan-base and still stands on its own against competitors today. Looking at the Freestyle PC that was revealed in a Sony presentation a few days ago, I see another unique product. Is this a sub 10 inch slider?
‘Freestyle’ indicates multiple usage scenarios with a consumer slant. The ‘Hybrid’ part of the name indiates the same but does it go further than that? While I don’t expect a dual-CPU, I do expect the Oaktrail platform to be used to provide the Windows OS with an overlay layer. It might also include a dual-boot or fast-boot mode. It would be nice to see an Intel Android build on this to give a true hybrid usage model.
As for size, check this out. It’s the Hybrid put side-by-side with the Samsung TX100 which is a 10.1 inch device.
The Sony Hybrid doesn’t look like a 10 inch-er to me. There’s no trackpad and the ratio of thicknesses (look at the USB port on the side) and frame width compared to the screen size says 7 inch or 8 inch to me. This could be a replacement for the Vaio P11. By looking at the P11 you get a better feel for the real-world size of the Hybrid.
And here’s the 7 inch HTC Shift. Again, look at the port sizes.
There are no specifications available for the Sony Hybrid yet so none of my speculation can be confirmed. I look forward to it though.
Freestyle Hybrid news found via Slashgear.
Sony Freestyle Hybrid PC Looks Ultra-Mobile, Shift-Like: When the UMPC world had a little more momentum than it … http://bit.ly/fR86Ku
Sony Freestyle Hybrid PC Looks Ultra-Mobile, Shift-Like http://bit.ly/fR86Ku
RT @umpcportal: Sony Freestyle Hybrid PC Looks Ultra-Mobile, Shift-Like http://www.umpcportal.com/?p=23699
…ahh sony, i remember, prices x4, yes, i remember that brand.
Pass.
Just commenting to say that I want the 5 inch screen, physical keyboard, mouse and Windows 7 device category to come back. I don’t want my yearly UMPC upgrade to stop with the Viliv N5. At this rate I’ll just be buying notebooks only in the future.
The 7 – 10 inch screen category is a no buy for me. They’re neither pocket friendly nor provide good screen real estate. The worst of all worlds.
+1 for more 5 inch Windows 7 devices. I’ve been researching on what to replace my UMID BZ with this Summer/Fall. So far nothing has been officially announced that could be possible candidates.
Another vote for this. Each time I come here, I hope for a new UMPC device to be announced running Windows 7, has a keyboard, mouse (joysticks don’t count Ocosmos) and a 5 inch screen with updated hardware (ie. next gen. chipset, digital video, USB 3.0, etc.).
Too bad manufacturers and most likely most people out there want non-pocketable, non-Windows tablets. Damn you Apple and your control over people.
I’d like to buy a Everun Note successor – AMD 32 nm DualCore APU, swivel multitouch screen, N-WiFi, 4G, GPS, 2 Cams, 5 h battery life @ medium use – all supported fine with Kubuntu LTS, Still 200 x 118 mm but thinner than 30 mm.
Engadget tipped this off in February, from a reliable source who also predicted the S2 model
“Last up is a VAIO-branded 9.4-inch Windows 7 slider similar, we’ve been told, to Samsung’s Sliding PC 7 Series and the ASUS Eee Pad Slider. It’s design was described to us as “nice” and could easily be interpreted as a followup to the VAIO P series. Unfortunately, the hardware’s good looks are undermined by a Pinetrail-class Atom processor. At the moment, the target price is set for $799 but will almost certainly increase, according to one source, by the time the slider is available for retail in the fall (possibly October).”
To me it seems a follow up to the P series
Agree with your view it doesn’t look like a 9 inch screen but who knows.
I’m fairly sure that for factor isn’t possible with Pinetrail. Like you said, let’s wait and see.
Sony Freestyle Hybrid PC Looks Ultra-Mobile, Shift-Like http://www.umpcportal.com/?p=23699