jkOTR reader Gabriel tipped us off over the weekend: the SonyStyle store has the UX-390N handheld available for $2,499. This is the 32 GB flash drive version of the UX-series, running a 1.33 GHz Intel Core Solo processor and 1 GB of RAM. The 390N still offers the 4.5-inch 1024 x 600 touchscreen, integrated EDGE connectivity through Cingular and comes pre-installed with Microsoft Windows Vista Business. Who’s buying?

If you’re like me and you love the Tablet PC and UMPC genre of computers then you know that it is the Windows XP Tablet Edition that sets these devices apart from other, ho hum devices like notebooks.  It’s the Tablet bits that provide the oomph that makes these devices so appealing and provides a uniqueness that other ultra-portables don’t have.  As cool as they are, the Sony UX Micro PCs run Windows XP Pro so even though they have a touch screen they are not UMPCs because they lack the Tablet stuff which makes portable slate devices so much more productive.  There have been other devices that don’t ship with the Tablet Edition like the FlyBook series of convertible touch screen devices with no Tablet Edition.

Vista is about to be released commercially and the new version of the operating system will change all of our thoughts about devices like those mentioned above.  When Vista is installed on a touch screen enabled device then the Tablet bits are installed and available just like on "real" Tablet PCS.  It is because of this that Vista will result in a lot of new Tablet PCs and UMPCS simply because these devices will work just like the bigger Tablet PCs, and we will be the better for it.  I never thought I’d see the day when Sony shipped the UX with the Tablet Edition but that’s exactly what we’ll get with Vista, the best mobile device operationg system anywhere.

Word of the next version of the Sony UX Micro PC comes not from the CES (at least not yet) but from Stuff Magazine.  Reader Jahan Kahn Rashid pointed me to the February issue of Stuff Magazine in the UK that features the Sony Vaio VGN-UX1XN that looks like the current model with some upgraded components.  According to Stuff Magazine the UX1XN will come with Vista, Intel Core Solo U1500 (1.33 GHz), 1 GB RAM, 32 GB Solid State Disk (SSD), CF, Memory Stick Duo, Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11g, USB 2.0, Firewire.  The new UX will have the same 4.5” screen running at 1024 x 600 and is reported to cost GBP 2,000.  I would think we’ll see this new Sony debut at the CES so I’ll keep an eye out for it.

Guest contributor Fernando Miralles showed us how to upgrade the Sony UX to a 60 GB hard drive and now Andy Broyles has posted step by step instructions with photos showing how to upgrade the UX to an 80 GB hard drive.  Andy has taken great pains to point out all the potential pitfalls and even points to compatible drives that will fit in the UX.  If you’ve been thinking about doubling your hard drive capacity then check out the article and give it a shot.

Sony has created a novel marketing approach for selling the UX280P Micro PC.  They think the small size of the UX makes it appeal to the secret agent inside each of us and have created the James Bond 007 UX Spy Gear Bundle (VGN-UX007) consisting of a Sony UX280P7, a Cyber-shot digital camera (DSC-T50/JB) and a UX Bluetooth GPS receiver, all housed in a shiny black aluminum attache case that would make 007 proud.  The bundle isn’t cheap at $3199 but who said spy gear is cheap?

Oh I remember, I embedded it in the headrest of the Toyota.

(Autoblog via Steve French)

Those of you jonesing for the Sony UX280p get yourself over to the Menlo Park Mall in Jersey (Edison to be exact) as Raphael Salgado has reported seeing 20 of them in stock.  The UX 280p is the latest model of the Sony UX Micro PC with the 4.5 inch screen (1024 x 600), integrated Cingular EDGE, 1 GB of RAM, WiFi, Bluetooth, and a 40 GB hard drive.  Here’s what 20 Sony UX 280p look like in a big stack:

Dynamism is offering all the various models of the UX Micro PC line from Sony including taking pre-orders for the newest Japanese model with the 32 GB Flash Drive (SSD).  Eagle-eyed jkOTR reader Keith Heard spotted this interesting item in the software accessory list:

Dynamism must have some special arrangement with Microsoft as I have never seen any reseller nor OEM offer the Tablet Edition as an upgrade on any device.  The pricing of $200 is rather odd too.

Sony employee Raphael Salgado let me know that Sony is internally stating the Vaio UX280P Micro PC will be available on October 18.  The VGN-280P is the next generation in the UX Micro PC line that has a 1.2 GHz Pentium M and ups the memory to 1 GB.  This new version retains the integrated EDGE capability and ships with a Cingular SIM card, and packs a 40 GB hard disk.  The UX280P is available now for pre-order on the SonyStyle site and will set you back $1999.99.  With all the trouble Sony is in over the flaming battery recall why don’t you just kick in the extra penny and give them an even $2,000 when you order yours.

Hugo Ortega is a true neophiliac and his recent exposure to a Sony UX Micro PC has him all atwitter.

Note the “deer in the headlights” look on Hugo’s face as he grips the Sony UX50 as if to make sure no one takes it away from him. Take a look at his impressions of the Sony to see what he really thinks of it.  Of course, Hugo got his hands on an obsolete model now that Sony has already announced the successor.