Congratulations Amy! (entry #61) for winning the UMID mbook. Thank you to everyone who participated in this giveaway!
This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Intel.
Recently, I had the opportunity to try out a mobile internet device, Intel’s new UMID mbook, the world’s smallest PC. Given its tiny size (6.3 x 3.7 x 0.7 inches, weighing 0.69 lbs) and resembling a fancy compact makeup case, it’s a technology accessory you can take anywhere.
My first reaction when I opened the box was skepticism. It looked way too small to have any useful features, just another fad gadget I thought. But hey, I have an open mind, so I was off give it a spin.
The first logical stop with the mbook was of course, my kitchen. I usually use a notepad and pen to jot down my countless recipe experiments, or my laptop when I’m feeling really technical, but I hate to give up valuable counter space. I’d long been a little envious of friends who used their smart phones to watch cooking videos while they cooked. Now, it was my turn. I was surprised at the high resolution screen and the clarity and speed at which the videos played, even HD ones. No pesky pixels. The added plus was that the screen propped up and I could watch the videos or browse recipes from a distance, unlike the phones where you’d have to look down at the counter.
Though my husband (a big fan of being productive anywhere and everywhere) has been trying fruitlessly to convince me to get a smart phone, my biggest reason for not getting one is the size. Even though I carry a purse, I like to keep my cell phone in my pocket. I can hear it or feel it vibrate and it’s easy access. Try fitting a smart phone in the pocket of a tight fitting pair of jeans. The mbook easily fits into my purse (I have to say, it’s smaller than my wallet) and I can still carry my tiny cell phone in my pocket.
It has long been known that Intel builds processors, or the “brains” of your PC. Now Intel has gone a step further and designed the smaller and more power efficient Intel® Atom™ processor. It enables you to get devices with full PC functionality and still be small enough to fit into your purse or pocket. How I wish I had the UMID mbook during the Thanksgiving break while lugging kids, carry-ons and my bulky laptop through airport security.
The UMID mbook runs full Windows XP and I was thankful for the snazzy touch screen and stylus. I am a self proclaimed “mouse” girl. My biggest problem with laptops is the absence of a mouse. The touch screen on the mbook won me over. It’s better than a mouse! Guess I’m a “stylus” girl now.
With the size limitations, I found that I could not fit both my hands on the small sized keyboard. After a little adjustment time, I was able to type efficiently using the fingers of my left hand and the stylus in my right hand.
A big plus for the mbook is the on-board camera which made it perfect for me to Video Conference on Skype. The five-hour battery life is great for all my favorites: staying active on Facebook, Tweeting, uploading photos, downloading movies on iTunes, or even just to stay productive. I’m pretty sure that the next time I am on-the-go (or waiting patiently in the car-pool lane to pick up the kiddos), I can continue jotting down my next great recipe idea or answering the countless cooking questions that come daily.
For being the World’s Smallest PC, the UMID mbook is reasonably priced. You can find one at Dynamism.com for $449+. For a limited time, they are even including a free MicroSD Card with your purchase! And for all you girlie girls out there, the mBook is also available in pink.
Want a UMID mbook for yourself?
Of course, if you’d like to enter a contest for a chance to win a UMID mbook, just leave a comment below and answer the question, “How would this small Mobile Internet Device make your life easier?”, or you may leave a link to your post on your own blog in the comments below.
The contest begins 12/08/09 and will end 12/30/09. You have 8 chances to win. Make sure that the e-mail address you leave is correct.
Contest Rules:
* No duplicate comments.
* You may receive an additional entry by linking on twitter and leaving a link in the comments.
* You may receive an additional entry by blogging about this contest and leaving a link in the comments.
* This giveaway is open to US-Residents, aged 18 and over
* Winners will be selected via a random drawing and will be notified by e-mail.
* Winner will have 48 hours to respond, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
Please see the official rules here: Official rules
Feel free to visit the Intel official site for more information: Intel Atom Official site
For other exciting offers, visit BlogHer.com special offers page
Review by Hetal Jannu
I would love this! Life is always so crazy and on the go and oh how this would help stay connected! And it is just too cute! Hope to win!
Having something like this would allow me to actually check my email every single day! My coworkers would really dig that.
I’m a blogger and a mother of two active boys, I’m always on the go, and I don’t have a cell with internet, no even text messaging, I don’t have a laptop, so you have no idea how much I would mean to me to have it! thanks for the opportunity
I would feel super happy!
I would use it everywhere!!!
bluegirl1423@gmail.com
Well it would make it easier to convince people I’m the cool girl with all the nice gadgets.
Santa baby, slip a Viliv X70 under the tree, for me …
I have been wanting one to download e-books to and to keep in touch with friends and family far away. Not to mention keep a watch on my Face book page.
Hey,
sounds good to me, i am currently looking for a good opportunity in my career and it would be great to keep track of my job search n to have it handy whenever needed in my purse ..:-)
shruthi
In all ways, except the shower!!
Sue
I am an image consultant and to have one of the innovative tools at my fingertip would be great. Thanks…
I tweeted this contest too 🙂
http://twitter.com/clarity0207
I’m an amateur photographer and this device would make it so easy to manage my photography portfolio an be able to show my work to prospective clients on the go!
This would make my life easier because it would allow me to run my online business anywhere, anytime. I’ve just started up, my laptop bit the dust, so I’m tied to this old desktop clunker and that is certainly not conducive to my on-the-go lifestyle with 2-kids, a busy hubby and trying to get my own business going. This lovely gadget would save my life….and my business 🙂
This would be perfect for getting school work done on the train!
I love technology, I just totally can’t afford it:-) This would be an awesome way for me to have a PDA (remember those?) that would actually be useful, a way to keep my address book up-to-date (having it on the desktop ain’t doing it for me) and keeping notes on those random thoughts I want to blog about.
This would make my life so much easier while traveling! I’d never miss an email and I’d be able to use it to entertain my toddler.
This would make my life so much easier! My laptop has become a desktop since the untimely death of its battery, and it’s too old to even think of replacing the battery (again).
Thanks!
Well since my laptop is slowly dying as I type I would use it for all my day to day computer uses, e-mail, facebook, blog reading! And since I could take it with me too work I would never have to worry about forgetting that important e-mail at home any more!
blogged http://abdoggett1.blogspot.com/2009/12/win-umid-mbook-worlds-smallest-pc-from.html
Tweeted http://twitter.com/BustedupDaddy/status/6641645489
Melendrez@mail.com
This small and wonderful device would make my life easier because I’m opening my own landscape business and it would help me to keep track of appointments, bids, check my email on the go and find new customers.
Melendrez@mail.com
Blogged!
http://mindymerenghi.blogspot.com/2009/12/blogher-special-offers.html
mdmerenghi@gmail.com
I would be able to lay in bed at search the internet instead of this awful computer chair that hurts my back. It would be so helpful for everything!
Oh my gosh, I would not have to fight over every other piece of equipment in my home. What a dream!
This would make my life so much easier at work! I work in a school library and help with technology. It would be so much easier to carry this around the school instead of my laptop!
I’m the anonymous poster who got too excited thinking about how useful this would be (blushing)
I would use this to help run our small business! The compact size makes it perfect for traveling, which in turn will help me multitask during the day.
http://the-prestigiator.xanga.com/718154098/viliv-x70/
blogged
http://twitter.com/DeeGee13/status/6605467042
tweeted
It would help me keep in touch with friends who live far away and it’s hard to run home and spend time on the phone. Thanks! 🙂
Hello? What a PERFECT little gadget!! I’m a mom on the go and the only down time I have is at my daughter’s dance class. What a miserable experience with all those weird dance moms. UGH! I could blog and hang out with the cool people on this thing 😀 Have Mercy!!
How would it make my life easier? Well I mostly use my computer for email/internet and watching Videos, so It’d be really great not to be tied down to my desktop. And since said desktop is dying a slow and pitiful death, it’d also save me from having to save money for a replacement.
I would be so happy to get this in my stocking this Christmas! I could be one of those cool people that checks their email and keeps up with their blog reading at the coffee shop, or anywhere actually!
This would make my life easier by being an escape when i’m out and about or something I could let my children see to keep them quiet!
Tweeted – http://twitter.com/GiveAwayChick/statuses/6585270509
I think this would help me with my planning of things while I’m out and about instead of having to wait until I get home to do it at my desktop or my laptop which is bulky huge and has no battery life whatsoever anymore.
I think this would help me keep track of my schedule on the go and since I am trying to get back into the work force I can see this come in so handy for when I am out & about!
tuesdayef at aol dot com
My life would be so much easier with this. I could keep track of my appointments and all this Christmas stuff. It would be great for grocery lists and shopping.
This is adorable, ahem, and oh so functional. I work from home and have to be available all the time. I get work calls all the time referencing spreadsheets and files that I have to conjure from thin air in the grocery store. This would make me have access to work everywhere and would make me sound professional even when in aisle 9.
This would make my life so much easier–I don’t have web capablities on my phone like most people in this world and I have a regular desktop pc. This could fit in my purse!
Oh how wonderful it would be to take my computer with me when I go out and about. I could blog from Barnes & Noble, or from the local ice cream parlor, or from Harris Teeter, or from the front yard while the children are playing. It would add an entirely new dimension to my blogging. What a blessing that would be!!!
I could answer e-mails while not in my office and check on other things.
Teenagers? I have three that would love this.
I would be ecstatic to own this device. With it, I could organize my daily planner and keep track of all the commitments in my life. I could also use it to do my web browsing on the go! I’d never neglect returning emails again!
i work for an man from india, ive learned so much from him, indian food is only one….im crazy for the flavors ive learned and new recipies too!…ive never won anything before so what a nice Christmas present for myself this would be….i love you girls and im on your site everyday teaching myself something new…thank you so doing what you do, keep up the great work!
If this could make my life easier then I need this. I need easy. Please. I’d like to discover how this could make my life easier in ways that I haven’t yet discovered. Is there actually a device out there that can do that for me?
This would make my life easier because it is 1) tiny and 2) portable, both of which are great things for a uni student on the go. I’d be able to take my long-distance boyfriend everywhere with me!!!
I would use it to shop anywhere..even when I’m in the bathroom!! Now that’s what I call multi-tasking. 😉
This would my day, as a teacher, fly! personal convenience at my fingertips!
I am a stressed out teacher who could really use this. It would go a long way to reduce the stress.