I found this awesome new green powered gizmo on Engadget.
What portable device do you own that’s cheap and functional?
Provide your comments about the devices you own that are portable, cheap, and functional. Are there any upcoming devices that you believe satisfy this criteria? Let’s hear from you.
The 3ePC in color!
asuseeehacks.blogsport.com is providing new information about the recent Eee PCs that have popped up in color. The pastel colors are rumored to be future consumer options. Although it is nice to see new pictures of the 3ePC, news from Asus remains to be seen.
The new colors may have some relation to a fashion show where Asus products will be showcased.
http://asuseeehacks.blogspot.com/2007/08/asus-eee-pc-in-pastel-colors.html
Bluetooth keyboard with Nokia N800.
Here is a great video from that reviews a bluetooth keyboard, the Thinkoutside Stowaway Keyboard, for the Nokia N800. Although it’s $60.00 and a little on the pricey side according to us frugal tech. people, it sure is cool. It adds a whole new level of portability to the N800.
View the video here.
The Archos 604
While doing a little research on the Nokia N800, I came upon a link that lead me to the Archos 604. The Archos 604 is a Personal Media Player (PMP) with integrated Wi-Fi as an option. The model can be purchased for around $300.00 USD as I just saw one sell on eBay for $250.00. The Archos 604 is yet another example of the emerging crossover Internet Tablet/PMP/Subnotebook market.
The Archos 604 offers more storage capabilities than the Nokia N800 and what appears to be a bit better screen (although that is only based on my own observations). Although the Archos 604 & N800 are marketed to be different items, I ultimately think they will be in the same category.
List of UMPCs at UMPCPortal.com
Though they aren’t all cheap, they are functional and portable. UMPCPortal.com has a great list comparing different models of UMPCs. You can click on the picture of each UMPC to see specs and more information.
Its somewhat upsetting to see so many new UMPCs costing $1,000 USD or barely less. I don’t believe there will be a widespread appeal until the prices are within reason. Why spend $1,000 dollars when I can buy a new, full functional laptop for $400 dollars?
The Internet Tablet: Nokia N770 & N800
A new breed of ultraportable is found in the Internet Tablet. Perhaps the most well known Internet Tablets are the Nokia N800 and the Nokia N770. These devices have been developed to be the Internet in your pocket. They include Wi-Fi, bluetooth, and the N800 includes a webcam for chatting via your instant messenger client or Skype. The device runs Internet Tablet OS (Linux-based) and is developing an opensource following at Maemo.org.
The Nokia N770 first received some criticism because of sluggish performance although the newer N800 has received favorable reviews. You can pick an N770 up on eBay for about $200.00 USD while the N800 will run around $300.00 USD. They supposedly have ~7 hours of standby battery life and offer 3 hrs. of wifi surfing.
Although these devices are not originally marketed as a PDA, I believe they offer much more functionality and do support PDA functions through the installation of additional software. These devices may be a look at what the future has in store for cheap, functional portability.
Pros: Battery life, portable, Debian Linux based OS (lots of possible software add-ons), can add additional storage.
Cons: Small screen, no keyboard (although future versions are rumored to have a slide-out keyboard), limited screen resolution, slower than laptop performance.
Wikipedia’s classification of UMPCs/Subnotebooks
Wikipedia has an interesting list of subnotebooks– some cheap and some not so cheap. This list may give you a starting point to do a little research and perhaps lead you to an ultraportable that is cheap and functional.
Liberating the Dell C400
Here is a great page about using the ultraportable Dell Latitude C400 to the fullest. This individual profiles their experience converting to Linux. The C400 is a thin notebook from Dell that was originally announced Nov. 2001 yet still has appeal. You can read about the C400’s specs here from Wikipedia. You can purchase a used C400 for around $200.00 or less on eBay. Take into consideration the condition and battery as you may need to purchase a new source of juice.
