I know Sharp has never made good keyboards but so far this is the closest I could find to my desires and I guess having waited since the HP Jornada I am ok sacraficing a little? The other UMPC’s to me are toys that can not be an effective stand alone pocket computer. I find it amazing that nobody has built a modern Psion?

I know we’re really off topic here (um.. this is a cloud computing article ) but what exactly will you need to do on a UMPC? Will it be primarily used for writing long documents?

If so, I think your best bet is still a UMPC with a Bluetooth keyboard like this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018MFORS/ref=dp_cp_ob_title_1

Does it have to fit in a jacket pocket? What about weight? The Psion 5 are only about 300-400g while UMPCs are generally 500g+

The Sharp D4 keyboard looks like a larger version of the keyboard found on the HTC TyTn II which is meant for thumbtyping, not on-table touch-typing.

I tried the OQO and Samsung Q1 and did not like them. I really want a better keyboard. I’m keeping my eye on the Sharp D4 to see how Sharp does with the final version released in Japan as I am considering buy that one since several vendors claim they are going to import them? So far all the UMPC ‘s seem so far away from being a sole independant computer for business use; the Samsung sph p9200 seemed to me the best for my needs but it is not available outside of Korea as it is a wimax device.

Regarding screen size, while I’m sure Windows can be made to run at any screen solution, Win32 applications are designed assuming that most screens have at least 600 pixels vertically.

Take a look at Firefox on XP. With the Start Menu, Firefox status bar, address bar, Window controls, tabs bar and navigation bar, there would be no space left to display the webpage!

Even on my Flipstart (which has a 5.6″ 1024×600 screen), there are times when I feel that there is insufficient vertical space. I’m glad I didn’t end up with the OQO which has a 5″ 800×480 screen.

Al, I think the best device for you is a slider (like the OQO) or a pure slate (like the Samsung Q1) partnered with a Bluetooth folding keyboard.

I think some type of device using one of the above size screen that has a touch type keyboard is what is required for the hardware to really get mainstream attention; unless there is a software or new version of Windows that enables 1/2 vga like the Psion if the current version does not allow that?

After Bill Gates, MicroSoft should develop a new version of Windows for UMPC, for 5 inch UMPC, not 7 inch or 8.9 inch for people to have FIE (full internet experience) in pocketable device.

If you stretched the display to a useable 16:10 aspect ratio, you’ll end up with a device with the same size as the HTC Shift.

WinCE Handheld PC and Psion devices only sold because there were few PIM alternatives. When the Palm and Pocket PC form factors appeared, everyone abandoned the HPC form factor.

I think the best form factor for true mobile use for business and adoption by mainstream would be a device like the Psion 5mx or HP Jornada 720 that was updated using full windows. Those devices still enabled adequate standing input yet provide good touch type input when seated. Those type of devices sold almost 7 times as many units than the UMPC have in a year and they did not have full windows!

Netbooks are popular because they are dirt cheap. If the OQO or Samsung Q1 were $300, they would sell like hotcakes. I think the majority of UMPC users do not require touch-type keyboards, they just need access to the same applications available on their desktop.

Adding a touch-typeable keyboard is likely to reduce an UMPC’s usability as a handheld device. Touch type keyboard are only truly useful if you’re using the device on a table. I use my UMPC on the train, on flights, in bed, heck I even type out emails while walking around the city!

The interest in netbooks to me is clearly proving that the majority want a touch type keyboard. What is missing is just a jacket pocket laptop something like the shape of a Psion 5mx or HP Jornada 720 yet runs full windows. I am fine paying more for a full windows real computer that has a touch type keyboard and is jacket pocket size; the reason is then it can be a primary mobile full PC.

Anything less is a toy and then price is an issue. When you compare what is available in the windows mobile smart phones and blackberry type devices I see less and less value for a MID device.

UMPC’s need to focus on being a full PC that is mobile enough to carry in a large jacket pocket and provides the input of a tough type keyboard that everyone wants. It is not price it is that UMPC’s have had the wrong form factor to make it jacket size and they have lacked a touch type keyboard.

Ask yourselves how does the majority of the world use full Windows? the answer is with a touch type keyboarde. Psion and HP Jornada 720′s proved that a touch type keyboard can be small enough to be jacket pocket ket still functional.

My preferred setup would be an mini laptop (loved my old Psion Series 7, and I am still looking for something to really replace it) or a Nokia-style tablet, with a small feature phone to use as a modem. Unfortunately, with the extra cost of tethering, it is impractical to go with a two-device solution. Even if I did, I would constantly be wondering how much I am downloading and if I am near the cap. Instead, I have to find a smartphone that MIGHT do in a pinch. The idea of paying more than $600 for said phone just feels silly.