March 28, 2006

Origami peripheral options

I first wrote about my "smallest desktop" almost a year and a half ago and the amazing thing is it hasn’t changed much:

Sony_desktop_1

The Sony U71 is still a good workhorse for me and when I need to do serious writing requiring a keyboard with full-sized keys the ThinkOutside Stowaway still works like a champ.  The other two pieces to the small desktop I wrote about earlier have been replaced by the IOGear Bluetooth mouse and the Palm Treo that provides EVDO connectivity most everywhere I roam.

Rob Bushway, Tracy Hooten, and Warner Crocker have been thinking about how to get more mobile with a Tablet PC and for me the Origami might be the perfect solution for them.  These peripherals I am using with the Sony are perfect for the Origami devices soon to appear for those who would like to take them on a trip for instance, yet still want the comfort zone created by having a good mouse and keyboard with them.  A setup like this is a real laptop replacement for most of the work likely to be done and prospective owners of Origamis (UMPCs) should not overlook them.  While the keyboard stand in the photo won’t support the weight of the larger Origamis, as I mentioned before it is great that at least some of the OEMs are integrating stands right into the back of the units.  Here’s a couple more photos of my setup (just imagine your dream Origami device in the photos):

Sony_desktop_2

Sony_desktop_closed

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10 Responses to “Origami peripheral options”

  • ctitanic says:

    Question? I have been thinking about to buy one of those keyboards. In your initial review you did not have enough info about the battery life, could you tell me about it know? What is your experience on this point?

  • jk says:

    Frank, the batteries last me several months.

  • rbushway says:

    James:

    I have the stowaway keyboard as well. My biggest struggles with it are the lack of dedicated number keys ( like you talk about ) , and that it tips back and forth as I type on the sides of the keyboard. It would be nice if it lay completely flat.

    other than those two things ( and they are big minuses in my book ), it is a good keyboard. I’m looking forward to trying the lenovo usb travel keyboard, though.

  • Rob says:

    This comment somehow wound up on the wrong entry.
    Can’t say enough good things about the stowaway keyboard. I also use their mouse. No minicomputer yet, but my 8125 smartphone is a good standin

  • Matt Smith says:

    James,

    If you ever decide to sell that U series device, let me know. I want another one pretty bad. I’m actually looking to sell/trade my TC1100 and pick one up. I wish I had never given up my U750.

  • Faisal says:

    Hi there,

    I own a sony U50 and a HP TC1100 and i am a huge fan of tablet os, it is a great thing for medical profession, i tried to install the tablet os in my sony u50 from the Tablet OS CD came with my HP but i was’nt able to install it at all, i was wondering how can i install the tablet os in my sony with the CD given with HP?? the other thingy is that isit possible to use apple cinema display as an external monitor for sony u50?

    Thanks.

    Faisal

  • Faisal says:

    too bad, no one wann to reply, sigh…..

  • Alex Elderfield says:

    How would you rate the Origami platform over the small FS convertable laptop? I can see that the origami devices are cheaper but when you start adding keyboards and extended batt. are you not ending up with a larger more expensive package?

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