Dopod U1000 $1,998 Available from all authorised resellers
The Dopod U1000 is a bit of a mixed up device. Size-wise, it qualifies as a sub-notebook, but platform-wise, it runs Windows Mobile 5.0 and not Microsoft Windows.
So you can say it's either a very small sub-notebook or a very large PocketPC.
Given its measurements (133.1mm x 98mm x 16mm), this is one PocketPC that you will not be easily pocketing.
The main reason why the 375g gizmo is so large by PocketPC standards is its 5-inch, 65535-colour VGA TFT display.
Although it has a resolution of only 640x480 pixels, the display is bright and sharp - surfing the Net or reading e-books on a handheld device has never been so easy on the eyes.
Like most new PocketPCs today, the U1000 has it all: Quadband GSM, 3G, GPRS/Edge, 802.11g wireless Lan, Bluetooth with A2DP (stereo headphones) and AVRCP (remote control function) support plus a built-in GPS receiver. Topping it all is an 8GB hard disk drive and HSPDA or 3.5G support for wireless data access at broadband speeds.
The gizmo can handle up to 1.8Mbps. It is great for mobile executives who want speedy data retrieval on the move.
Another good point is its keyboard. Unlike the more typical sliding or clamshell keyboards, the U1000 has a detachable Qwerty one, which also doubles up as a screen cover when not in use.
The keyboard attaches itself to the main body via strong magnets, and once in place, the U1000 looks like an opened notebook computer.
Attaching the keyboard to the main body also automatically turns on the device, a very nice touch indeed.
Though spaced far enough apart to achieve some measure of touch typing, the tactile feedback is weak, which for me translated to lots of typing errors.
Another neat thing is the VueFLO function. Using motion sensing technology, it senses the slant angle and direction of the unit and automatically scrolls the display forward, backward or sideways.
If you thought that holding the Nokia n-gage to the ear looked silly, doing so with the U1000 would be even worse. You would definitely want to use a handsfree kit.
Making video calls are a different matter, though. With its keyboard attached, the U1000 sits at just the right angle on the desk for the camera to get a good view of your face, so that the other party will be able to see you clearly. The external speaker is also loud and good for conference calls.
If you think that the 5-inch display is still not big enough, hook up the device to a TV or projector with its VGA/TV Out connection. Business travellers can now give presentations during the day and then enjoy a downloaded movie in the hotel room TV after hours.
For its GPS function, the device uses a SiRFStar III chip, which promises very fast satellite signal lock times. However, I could not test the GPS performance as no software was provided with the unit.
FINAL SAY
An always on-the-go business executive who doesn't want a bulky notebook should seriously check out the U1000 as an alternative to a notebook computer.
