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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Apple Inc. launched its annual back-to-school promotion on June 3rd. They are offering rebates of up to $299 toward the purchase of an iPod Touch or iPod Nano if purchased with a qualifying Mac computer.

The promotion, which will be runnung through Sept. 15th, offers students, teachers and school staff members rebates of $299 for an iPod Touch or $199 for an iPod Nano purchased in conjunction with a MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, 20-in. iMac, 24-in. iMac or Mac Pro. The Mac Mini doesn ot qualify for this promotion.

Apple is hoping that a lot of consumers will upsell themselves a 32GB Touch. The device’s built-in Safari browser can access the Internet through any Wi-Fi hot spot. However, unlike the iPhone, it cannot use a mobile carrier’s data network.

Apple sells the lowest-priced 8GB iPod Touch for $299, but buyers can choose a 16GB for $399 or 32GB  for $499 and apply the $299 rebate toward the cost. The 8GB iPod Nano sells for $199, the same amount as the promotional rebate. Student and educator discounts will also apply to any Mac purchase during the promotion. Those discounts range from $100 on the entry-level MacBook to $230 on a loaded MacBook Air.

The company’s back-to-school promotion is an annual happening, and usually runs in early June. Last year they offered a $199 rebate toward the purchase of an iPod Nano.

Apple launched the iPod Touch last September. In February 2008, it added the 32GB model to the Touch lineup but did not reduce the price of the existing 8GB and 16GB units.

Unfortunately, Apple has already announced that it will charge a fee to users of that device when it the firmware is upgraded to Version 2.0 as part of the rollout this month. The firmware upgrade will include third-party applications and synchronization with Microsoft’s Exchange mail server. Earlier this year, Apple CEO Steve Jobs defended the upgrade charge as an “accounting requirement”. Because iPod Touch revenues are generated only at the time of sale, not recurring over the duration of a service contract as are iPhone revenues, Apple must feel they need some residual revenues in return for developing and implementing additional functionalities.

Apple has not said what it will charge iPod Touch owners for Version 2.0, but in mid-January when it released a major update for both the iPhone and iPod Touch, the the Touch update came with a $19.99 price tag.

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