Rather Umid?

February 3, 2010 By 4 Comments
UMID mbook M1 8GB SSD 1.3 GHz Intel Atom MID/Netbook - 499.00
I took a trip to Best Buy yesterday to look at netbooks and ebook readers. The Sony ereader they had was not functioning – not a great advertisement for the device. But I was impressed by how much smaller netbooks have become than they were even the last time I looked at them.

Browsing online, I came across some that are even smaller than the ones on display at the store. The Sony VAIO for instance. But the smallest there is, I believe, is the Umid mbook. I had never even heard of them before, but they seem to offer what many of us have long dreamed of: a full-fledged computer that fits in one’s pocket.

Has anyone ever come across these before? I’m sure they have advantages and disadvantages to them (especially if one has to get used to typing with one’s thumbs – but it may be possible, if not always convenient, to type in the conventional fashion on the mbook’s tiny keyboard). But they certainly seem worth mentioning here and talking about, given our recent discussions about ideal devices. It may not be ideal, but it certainly seems to represent an interesting step in a certain direction!

Filed Under: Uncategorized 4 Comments
  • http://broadcastdepth.wordpress.com Matt Evans

    If that mBook has a usb slot on it, then you could always get one of those rubber, roll-up keyboards if you ever felt the need for a regular typing surface.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/02561146722461747647 James F. McGrath

    Not a bad idea. Another device that looks appealing is the Asus T91MT, which is basically a netbook with a swivling screen and which can thus double as a tablet (and presumably wouldn't make a bad ebook reader, even if it will be a bit more tiring on the eyes than a Kindle or some other device using electronic ink).

  • http://broadcastdepth.wordpress.com Matt Evans

    I personally have the Asus Eee netbook. It's really a joy. 10 inches, 10hr battery life, Windows XP, and a 160gb hard drive.In a couple years when it's outdated, or if it breaks, I won't feel like I'm out because I paid so little for it.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/13599662252662686373 BSM

    You should talk to Lewis about his. He has one with a slightly bigger screen, a little extra ram, and a 6 hour batt. Most have two hour batt. life. Also, I have access to library netbooks. If you want to borrow one for a weekend just let me know. They, however, are not kicked up like the L's.