I am a technology whore.  There, I have said it, I want an iPhone, I want new Mac, and I want the new version of Ubuntu.  I probably don't need any of the above (although I could use a new desktop), but of all the new trends in the tech gadget world, the Mini mobile notebook is one that I could use.  Why?  Well, because I live on the net, I get all my news on the net, I communicate over the net, and do a lot of work over the net.  So a device that lets me do that without the overheads of weight, size and cords is my new cool device of choice.

Mobile devices are not new, in the old days a couple of the top manufacturers produced ultra mobile devices but the timing and the price were wrong, especially the price.  Asus may have just been testing the waters with the first Eee PC, but their timing was right, and delivering a geek gadget at a reasonable price gave more people the opportunity to find a use for it.

These ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) hit that sweet spot between the cell phone and the laptop.  Because the cloud is so much more important to me today, I find myself trying to live on my phone, but needing more.  I brought a cool laptop that would replace the need for a desktop, but find that it is either not portable enough or too important to head out with.  This weekend is a perfect example, I'll be heading out to a Fly Fishing Course on the river.  I don't need the computing power of the Laptop, but I wanted to spend some time writing, the old Imate Jasjam could do it, but really.....

So it looks like I need to look at the Eee PC, or maybe a MSI Wind or maybe....  What Asus started with the Eee PC looks to be finished by just about everyone else.  I though I might put down some details on the main contenders and see if anyone has any ideas.

Choices are:

Asus Eee PC 901, 1000

MSI Wind

Medion Akoya E1210

Acer Aspire One

Dell E

Thanks to umpcportal.com for the specs and pricing.

Now as much as I'd love to pick one of these up, there is a slight problem with actually getting one.  I have seen a couple of the MSI Wind's on Ebay and we are starting to see some of the Asus models filter into retail here in Australia, but as with most new toys, the pricing is a little "early adopter".

The Dell E interests me, 'cause I like Dell but there is only a blog post on the US site and nothing on the AU site, so more waiting for me.  The Acer Aspire One was launched at the start of the month so I'll need to do some looking around to find one in the wild.

Jason Remnant

Related articles by Zemanta

• MSI Wind Windows XP Edition sub-notebook


• ASUS' Chinese site reveals Eee PC 900 with 30GB hard drive


• Nifty tools for your Asus Eee PC


• 2008 Should Be Year of the Ultraportable