They’re not 100% document compatible, don’t have all the features, and I’ve found an upsetting number of bugs in them. I’d love to upgrade to a UMPC using proper desktop applications, but having bought the Pocket PC less than 18 months ago I’m not sure I can justify the expenditure!

Since I have not used any type of PA/Smartphone since Windows Mobile 2003 (on my Samsung i730), the frustration of the Mobile OS has faded. From what I read, Mobile 6 is far better.

Now, if I could only figure out whether my SIM card can be swapped between the Advantage and my BlackBerry, I could make a decision!

I agree with Dave P on the resolution though. Having the ability to look at a screen at 800×600, etc… it’s nice and all, but if you can’t read it, why bother. The Touchflo system that HTC has implemented makes browsing much easier.

I am going to throw that new Skyfire browser I posted about on my Advantage tonight and see what it can do for me.

On the other hand, there is a need (or, at least, I have a need) for a portable PC that runs XP or Vista. I find that the sacrifices I make in performance with the UMPC are more than offset by the pocketability (I have an OQO with approximately the same form factor as the Advantage).

I need to run Lotus Notes, MS Office, and Acrobat Pro on my UMPC and, while other programs might give me some similar capabilities on the Advantage, similar is not always acceptable.

P.S. One of your comments that deserves much more emphasis is screen resolution. The search for greater resolution on smaller screens leads to unusable (and, in some cases, unreadable) displays. I’d rather scroll than squint.

Too bad microsoft dropped the “pocket pc” name for those devices. Of course OQO would argue that they are a true ppc… oh well. Whatever gets you through the day I guess!

Just a quick note. The Eee has nowhere near the features of the Advantage. Specifically, it has no HSDPA, gps, has less storage and a .3 mp camera v. a 3 mp camera – just to name a few.

For the record, I didn’t say UMPCs are bad. I said they don’t live up to their promise. Specifically, “We certainly have seen some of these ideal elements in UMPCs, but as far as running “Windows Vista-compatible software” using a “powerful processor” is concerned, this project is a failure.”

I am hesitating on the purchase because I am not sure of the Mobile Offiice apps. Is is going to be able to sync with my main computer all that I need. I may not need the horsepower of a UMPC, but I also do not want to buy something that is almost good enough. I already have a cabinet of “Why did I buy that technology?”

These comments have made me open my eyes and at least look for an alternative solution. Thanks for that

If you had said ” i need something smaller and lighter” or ” i don’t need the computing power” or something else than just saying how bad you THINK umpcs are..

Those are not my words, that’s Kevin from JkOnTheRun

..and using Mossberg as your reference about mobile computing and Eee???
I think that speaks for itself.

From the same article, “Storage capacity: XP Professional SP2 takes up about 2.5 GB of the 4 GB on-board flash memory.”
I think that speaks for itself.

The Advantage has double the storage, but the software and files used with WinMobile are far smaller.

You reference (in this article, http://jkontherun.blogs.com/jkontherun/2008/01/walt-mossberg-r.html) Walt Mossberg’s review (http://ptech.allthingsd.com/20080117/asus-offers-travelers-small-mobile-eee-pc-but-its-too-cramped/) of the Eee. But even his bottom line on it is, “The Eee is a valiant effort, but it still has too many compromises to pry most travelers away from their larger laptops.”

Opera, which is included on the Advantage, has tabbed browsing.

A word of advice; try not to take things so personally.

Joe, thanks for your comment. Amazing how I write an article and get polar opposite responses. Something tells me that’s a good sign.

Aura Mae, I’ve read all your Advantage comments on Pocketables. Your thoughts influenced my purchase.

The HTC Advantage has also been on my radar and your finely written article only helps to confirm my own findings. Again, thank you.

not if you compare it to any browser on any x86 UMPC

.. it is easy to use only negative reviews to compare.

I’m happy you find Advantage so good for you, but i could not live with 640 x 480 resolution or without full x86 tabbed browser.

My current mobile computer Eee PC ( with hsdpa/touch/xp), just gives me so much more comfort without any compromises..

yes, my unit is not stock unit…

Even I understand some of your points, your pics from reviews just don’t make sence.. specially if you don’t use positive reviews.. or even understand that some of those point are not even negative.

“If you can tolerate nothing less than the top-of-the-line powerhouse desktop systems, then something like the OQO Model 02 (or any UMPC, for that matter) will definitely not make you happy.”

????? so Advantage has better performance than powerhouse desktop ????

-The processor’s are too slow for the (bloated) OS,

not true, pick your os and cpu right, i’m super happy with xp on my 900 celeron, faster on browsing than Advantage anyday.

-the screen resolution is all wrong, rendering many UMPCs unreadable without a magnifying glass, the OS’s menus don’t fit on the screen,

not true, there are both 800 x 480 and 1024 x 600 UMPCs with 5 or 7 inch screens, u can use 800 x 480 on 5 inch 1024 x 600 devices too..

-multitasking is impossible due to lack of memory and processing power,

not true, I can multitask just fine.. u can try the same with Advantage

…many models today have 1Gb ram, upgradable to 2Gb

-and battery power is generally lackluster, if not putrid.

not true, examle q1u and eee: 3.5 h, 6 to 7 with extended

..

again, I happy for you, but next time, think before writing