debcook

2008-07-29 20:35:01 

Mini electronic gadgets are so tempting because we all get tired of lugging around larger ones. This is one subject that I can talk about with authority. Laptops have been part of my daily life for several years so where I go it goes. Downsizing definitely has merit – I think. 

Now if my laptop was the only electronic gadget I had to carry – no problem. However once other gadgets are thrown into the mix every ounce counts.  

Today I chose to use a couple of my smallest gadgets just to see what I could make happen. Could I really get through a day without the comfort of my 11.1” laptop screen? Admittedly I have put this day off. So how did I do? 

I am an early adopter when it comes to mobile gadgets. The First Sony UMPC intrigued me so much that I had to have one. It has stayed in its case for over a year. Why? Simple – the 4.5” screen is just too small. The icons and words are tiny. Email and some web surfing is not bad but I use software such as QuickBooks and Excel. Again, for just a little bit of data input I could probably deal with it but not for long periods of time.  

If you have read my other posts you are aware that I have a new iPhone 3G (no I did not early adopt the first generation iPhone). So far I love it. The feel, the gorgeousness, the GPS and the web browser gives me true incentive to make this cell phone work for me. Typing is a challenge. I have small fingers and it is still a challenge to type the intended letters. I have learned to touch the letters, symbols and navigation icons on their far left edges because otherwise the letter to the right appears and I spend all of my time backspacing.  

As far as physically using these two devices they are quite similar. The Sony UMPC has a QWERTY keyboard but the keys are so small and close together that I have some trouble typing. Both devices have Touchscreens. When I held my iPhone 3G up to the (widescreen) touchscreen of the Sony UMPC they are very close in size. The iPhone 3G has a bit less useable screen - height wise by about 1/2 “ and a tad more than 1” length wise.   

This experiment is going to take some time. I typed emails on the Sony UMPC and text messages on the iPhone 3G. I was successful on both but it was not comfortable. I am determined though. Eventually I will learn to work efficiently on both devices. What would I change if I could? The Touchscreen on the iPhone 3G should allow me to choose landscape orientation for the keyboard so that the keys would appear larger or more spread out.  

The Touchscreen on the Sony UMPC should be larger. I think that 7” would be good. Still small enough to carry in a small bag or purse but large enough to view easier.  

Hopefully the powers that be will read this and ask me for my advice next time.