The Sony VAIO VGN-UX390N is a micro PC with a full copy of Windows Vista Business…like it or not…squeezed into one of the smallest units available. It performs well when running everyday tasks and can handle a wide array of applications, which is impressive considering its size. This ultra-mobile PC (UMPC) is in fact so small that it would be difficult to use full time in place of a desktop or conventional laptop, but that is not it’s intention. The UX390N is a fully functioning PC, and for the true road warrior, it may be the perfect companion.

The Vaio VGN-UX390N sports a clever design, hiding a sliding QWERTY keyboard behind the 4.5″ LCD and using a trackpoint-type pointer for a mouse. Under the mouse is a zoom button that magnifies the screen by 1.5x, 2.0x, 2.5x and 3.0x. The keyboard is a bit cramped, but anybody who is used to a Blackberry or smart phone might even find it spacious.

Despite the tiny size, Sony has packed the UX390N with many features like a biometric fingerprint reader for secure logins and a camera on the front as well as one on the back.

The UX390N runs on an Intel Core Solo U1500 (1.33GHz) CPU with 1GB RAM. The 4.5″ (1024×600) touch screen LCD is powered by an Intel 945GMS chip with 224MB of total available graphics memory. The main drive is a 32GB solid-state drive with no moving parts, essentially an enormous flash memory card. The absence of a spinning hard drive makes the laptop more resistant to bumps and shocks, and allows for faster file access times. The result is a faster computer, and Windows Vista only takes 45-50 seconds to boot to the desktop.

The Vaio VGN-UX390N has only a single USB port, an Express Card slot and a Memory Stick Duo card reader. Ethernet, S-Video, D-Sub outputs and a second DC jack are provided via the included port replicator. There is also built-in Bluetooth, 56K modem, Cingular WWAN and 802.11 a/b/g wifi.

One possible weakness is its less than stellar battery life. It will run for almost 3 hours for normal use, but only half that if you’re watching a movie or surfing the internet a lot. This isn’t awful, but a couple more hours of life would be nice, considering the high price of a second battery.

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The exciting HP 2133 has met the public and the first impressions are very positive, as is to be expected after looking at the specifications.

First of all, it’s a genuinely cheap computer: the $550 version is a very capable subnotebook, but the $749 configuration will flat out beat anything in this size class. The HP 2133 features a high-resolution display, a comfortable keyboard and high-quality construction in general.

If the HP 2133 has a flaw, it would be the fact that it runs a bit hot and therefore the cooling fans kick on frequently. This is very common in subnotebooks that utilize a standard spinning hard drive. Also, the LCD cannot be bent all the way back, which can make it difficult for taller users to view the screen straight on. However, the HP2133’s favorable size to power ratio makes it easy to forgive these minor annoyances.

Subnotebooks are not necessarily meant to be desktop replacements. They carve out their niche in the passenger seat of your car, on your lap in an airplane, and discreetly carried in a briefcase or purse. The subnotebook has become a necessity rather than a novelty for many users. If you’re hunting for a powerful ultra-portable notebook, the HP 2133 is definitely worth considering.

Features

• 7” Display, 1280×768 resolution
• Ethernet Port
• 2x USB 2.0 ports
• VGA Out
• ExpressCard
• SD Slot
• Wifi Adapter
• External DVD drive (optional)

$499

• 1.0Ghz CPU (Via)
• 512 MB RAM
• 4GB of Flash storage
• Linux

$550

• 1.2Ghz CPU (Via)
• 1GB RAM
• 120GB Hard Drive
• Linux

$599

• 1.2Ghz CPU (Via)
• 1GB RAM
• 120GB Hard Drive
• Windows Vista Home (or XP+Vista)

$749

• 1.6Ghz CPU
• 2GB RAM
• 120GB Hard Drive
• Windows Vista Home (or XP+Vista)

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