Men and Boys, The Price of Their Toys

I'm not big on gadgets. Some people might think that UltraMobile PCs (UMPC) are gadgets. I'm here to tell you that's not so. But even if it is a gadget, it's the gadget for me.

Notebook (laptop) computers make it easy to travel with a computer. A UMPC makes it almost effortless. A UMPC is the size of a hard-bound book. It's like a notebook computer run through the wash on "HOT". UMPCs are much more durable than most laptops - they are the prototype of the "One Laptop Per Child" computers that are taking computers into remote places all around the world. Note: the hard drive is virtually indestructible; it has no moving parts!

I have the pleasure of testing an Asus EeePC. Our local school district needs inexpensive, highly portable, network/internet-ready computers for the elementary school students. Guess whom they asked to put these lil' puppies through their paces?

This little gem (2.03 pounds, 0.92 kg) comes ready-to-go with software for work and for fun. It includes the ability to connect to a network, whether it's hard-wired or wireless. That networking capability includes Internet access.

Built-ins include e-Mail, eBooks, instant messaging, world-wide-web, internet radio, skype (internet phone service), music, video, graphics (photos, etc.), word processing, spreadsheets, presentations (think PowerPoint), recording video and audio, webcam, educational programs - and more, much more.

I took this sweetheart with me on a trip. Among my daily tasks - besides e-Mail and web-surfing is administering a 2000-computer network. EeePC enabled me to do that administration from 1500 miles away. The Eee-PC did all I asked it to do. It's a small computer with big performance.

On the road, this computer can be safe from theft: it has built-in capability for Kensington locks for portable computers

The downside: you can't cram a lot of keyboard and screen into a 9" x 6 1/2" computer. You can cram in enough to suit me, given all the advantages.

The upside to the downside: when not on the road, you can use a UMPC as a home computer! Just

1. close the lid
2. plug in any standard monitor
3. plug in any USB keyboard/mouse (most are USB)
4. plug in, as needed, the included power supply/charger
   
   you can easily add - just plug in (there are lots of USB ports)
   
   
5. a USB flash drive (thumb drive)
6. a network cable [ or connect to a wireless network ]
   
7. CD/DVD player/recorder
8. USB portable drive
9. MMC/SD 'card' (from a digital camera)
10. modem (modems are so '80s and '90s)
11. headphones (there are speakers built in)
12. microphone (there is a 'mike' built in)
    

If you want to use the built-in webcam, you'll have to leave the lid open.

For details about

• UMPCs in general: Ultra Mobile Personal Computers
• Asus Eee-PC: Discover EeePc and EeePC Guide