Sony Vaio UX180P Micro

Thus far the UMPC concept has been just that, a concept. The hardware has been less than compelling, as manufacturers worry more about price point than producing something people want. To be fair, I enjoyed the Samsung Q1 at times and think it has a future with certain niche markets. Now Sony has come out with a second or third attempt at the UMPC market, depending on how you count their machines, and in typical Sony way, paid less attention to price than to features and functionality. Where the Samsung Q1 skimped, Sony splurged, releasing the most full featured UMPC, or Micro PC as they call it, to date. Say hello to the Sony Vaio UX180P.

Specifications

• Dimensions - 5.91"(W) x 3.74"(H) x 1.27-1.50"(D)
• Weight - 1.2lbs
• Intel Core Solo Processor U1400 (1.20GHz , 2MB L2 Cache)
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 with 128MB dynamically allocated shared RAM/Video memory
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional (Service Pack 2)
• 4.5" Wide SVGA LCD, Touch Screen (1024x600)
• Intel 945GMS Chipset
• Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection (802.11a/b/g)
• Integrated Wireless Wide Area Network (WAN) accessing Cingular Wireless National EDGE Network
• Integrated Bluetooth Technology
• 30GB 4200rpm Ultra ATA Hard Drive with G-Sensor Shock Protection
• 512MB PC2-3200 400MHz DDR2 SDRAM
• Microphone jack, Headphone jack, Built-in microphone
• Memory Stick Duo Media Slot
• 1 USB 2.0 port, port replicator connector, DC-in
• 64 keys with 0.15mm stroke and 8.6mm pitch keyboard
• Thumb-pointer
• Biometric Fingerprint Sensor
• Mouse Left, Mouse Right, Scroll, Magnify Screen (Zoom In/Out), Capture, Center Button, Wireless LAN On/Off, VAIO Touch Launcher
• Standard Capacity Lithium-ion Battery (Standard Battery: 2.5-4.5 hours)
• 2 Built-in Cameras (front: 0.3M pixels and back: 1.3M pixels)
• Supplied accessories: Cingular SIM Card, Standard Lithium-ion battery, AC Adapter, Port Replicator, 4-pin i.LINK interface, 3 USB 2.0, Ethernet, VGA-Out, A/V-out and DC-in, Soft Carrying Case, Power Cord, Stylus, VGA/LAN Adapter - Ethernet, VGA-Out and A/V-Out, Strap

Design

As is the case with the entirety of Sony's product line, the UX180 is all about style. There's not a person, young or old, that I showed this to, who wasn't blown away. The entire package is tremendously sleek, given all the features that are jammed into this tiny package.

Systemax Epic

The Systemax Epic is a widescreen, thin-and-light notebook. The system as reviewed is priced at $1,799, and is configured as follows:

* PROCESSOR: Intel Core Duo T2500 (2.0GHz)
* CHIPSET: Intel 945GM
* MEMORY: 2GB DDR2-533 PC4200 (two DIMMs, no slots free)
* HARD DISK: 100GB 5400rpm SATA
* OPTICAL DRIVE: DVD+/-RW
* SCREEN: 13" WXGA (1280x768) Glossy
* VIDEO: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
* AUDIO: RealTek Hi-Definition Audio
* WIRELESS: Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG
* WIRED: 56K V.92 Modem, Gigabit Ethernet
* PORTS: 3x USB 2.0, 1x FireWire (4-pin), Audio Out, Microphone Jack, VGA, S-Video, Type I/II PCMCIA, Media Reader (supports Secure Digital card, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Multi-Media Card), RJ-11 Modem Jack, RJ-45 Ethernet Jack
* OPERATING SYSTEM: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
* MISC.: Built-in Microphone, Microsoft Office 2003 Professional
* DIMENSIONS: 12.4" Wide, 1.4" High, 8.8" Deep, 4.75 lbs.
* WARRANTY: Warranted to Systemax, 12 months parts and labor

This is a prefab model offered from Tigerdirect.com; a custom configured one starts as low as $999.
While you may not have heard of Systemax, they've actually been around for some time, serving primarily the business sector. As a result, availability of their products isn't wholly widespread, but they do have a reputation. I work in tech support for the county, and one of my fellow technicians had a lot of good things to say about the brand.

Systemax offers a variety of hardware suited to different professional tasks and tastes, and they pride themselves on being a die hard American company. Their notebooks are assembled here, and their tech support is handled by American workers. Not having to worry about trying to decipher a foreign accent when you call for help is a major convenience.

This particular notebook is designed for the mobile professional and NOT for the gamer. As a result, this review will focus primarily on its suitability for those tasks against the competition.

BUILD AND DESIGN

The build quality of the Epic is fairly solid. While the shell is plastic, it's a hard, smooth plastic. I'm not sure it's all that great for repeatedly slamming against a wall and I don't think it would make a very good shoe, it certainly feels very durable.
t's clear from the outset, however, that it wasn't designed for looks. It's not much of a head turner, with the rote black and silver styling that's become all the rage of virtually every notebook on the market. Additionally, while the unit features smooth curves, it's honestly not very appealing looking, and the keyboard in particular has a very plain print on the keys.