ultra portable laptop + phone replacement

[tiger02]

Does anyone have experience with either internet or business commnuication devices? I'm thinking along the lines of the Nokia N770/N800 or the iMate Jasjar. My laptop has been beat to hell and should probably be relegated to stationary use, so I'm looking for something extremely portable to replace it. If I can get a functional cell phone and camera in the same package, I'll be thrilled.

Basic needs are word processing, email/internet, and powerpoint presentations on the computer front. As a phone, it probably only needs to work in cities, but it needs to work in all cities and countries. Camera is just for snapshots, nothing special.

I hate the form factor on blackberries and other mobile devices that I've seen--I'd like to have a realish keyboard and larger screen. The Nokia and iMate are the only ones I've found that have both (as an external device on the Nokia) and still look more or less like a phone when you hold them to your ear (not really into earpieces, either). The Nokia is cheaper and has a better screen, but only has "internet telephony," which makes me worry that it won't work in the 99% of the world that's not an internet hotspot.

Thoughts from the gadget nerds out there? Thanks!
Tom

 

[tiger02]

Meh, yeah, just found this about the Nokia:

"The Linux-powered Nokia 770 [predecessor to the 800] Internet Tablet offers convenient Internet browsing and email through built-in WiFi, or via a Bluetooth connection to a compatible mobile phone."

 

[Lucky Strike]

I've had this one for six-seven months now:

I have nothing but nice things to say about it - the design is boring, if that's of any importance, but it works very well on Bluetooth or with a cord with any lap-top (IBM, in my case). The real bonus here is the 3.2 megapixel camera.

 

[tiger02]

Originally Posted by Lucky Strike

...it works very well on Bluetooth or with a cord with any lap-top ...
Thanks for the info LS, but I really am trying to replace the laptop primarily. I'm tired of lugging it through airport security, and don't really enjoy the extra 7 lbs or whatever it adds to my carry on.

 

[skalogre]

Allright, this is really weird Tom but right before clicking on the thread I thought about bringing up the new Nokia tablet as an option

.
Other than that you could look in to the Nokia Communicatiors that run Symbian Series 80, or the OQO
I believe there are a few ultraportable PCs although I am a fan of smartphones, personally.
The Nokia N93 (or updated N93i that is prettier and slimmer) is a powerhouse that when combined with a bluetooth keyboard and connected to a TV via its TV Out can be used for anything from powerpoint presentations to games to word processors. Or even standalone as its screen twists to landscape mode.

 

[tiger02]

That oqo thing is pretty damn cool, but at 3x the price of the Nokia, a tough sell. Maybe if I can hack it to run OS X

 

[Joffrey]

Lucky Strike is your phone a quad-band or tri-band? I know there's two versions available the U.S. version and the other version that is a world phone. I want the latter. How much and where did you get yours?

 

[harryx2]

If you are interested I have this for sale:

This is an ultra portable Sony PCG U1, is almost like the size of a large Gameboy. It won't replace your mobile phone but is fine for Word and internet explorer. In flawless condition.

Let me know

 

[globetrotter]

the dell inspiron I got last year is the most portable I have had. I love it, even more than the brand new dell I have from work

 

[DM.ru]

My recomendation is Sony TX as the portable laptop. The battery is good, the weight is a little over 2lbs, the screen is perfect. I am using this for a year now and very happy with it.

 

[tiger02]

Hmm, thanks for the comments all. I think right now I'm leaning towards the Nokia, with a cheap-o cell phone that can give me a good internet connection all the time. Still have time to decide so I'll see what shakes out in the next couple of months. So, no one has used this thing?

 

[harryx2]

I have both a Qtek 9100 (or HTC 8125) and a Sony Ericsson P990i...none of them actually replace a laptop

 

[Lucky Strike]

Originally Posted by Jodum5

Lucky Strike is your phone a quad-band or tri-band? I know there's two versions available the U.S. version and the other version that is a world phone. I want the latter. How much and where did you get yours?
I got it handed to me at work, so I can't really answer - I would assume it's the non-US version, though.

 

[SGladwell]

Originally Posted by tiger02

Still have time to decide so I'll see what shakes out in the next couple of months.[/IMG]

Of course, in a few months there will be the iPhone to put a new wrinkle in your decision...

 

[tiger02]

Originally Posted by SGladwell

Of course, in a few months there will be the iPhone to put a new wrinkle in your decision...
Yeah, but much as I love my Apple products, I just don't think it's going to be the right one for me. Too little screen real estate, and I don't know that I'm ready for the fantsy pantsed (ie sartorial) interface yet.