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
It’d make my life easier because I’d feel like I could take it anywhere. It is much smaller than my laptop
Could use one for schoolwork.
Blogged – http://ztosmom.blogspot.com
Tweet – http://twitter.com/ztosmom/status/697725803900
this would keep me well entertained and better organized!
It would make it much easier not having to be next to a computer all the time.
blog entry
http://momof3dolls.blogspot.com/2009/12/mini-intel-anyone.html
This would help me organize all of my families activities.
I blogged about the contest – http://www.winwithdeanna.com/blog-contests/win-an-umid-mbook-m1-at-show-me-the-curry
I tweeted – http://twitter.com/deanna_j/status/6937139053
The UMID mbook would make my life easier by allowing me to keep up with all of my computer activities when I’m not able to be on my laptop for whatever reason. 😉
As a teacher there are times I could really use internet access in my classroom but I don’t always have it. This would be a great addition to my classroom bag of tricks.
Since I had my son, it has been practically impossible for me to spend time in internet browsing my favorite pages, recipes, keep in touch with friends etc etc etc. This would make it soooo much easier for me to do these things even while on the go as i have a long commute to work. I would love to take it everywhere with me including the mall 🙂 I can already picture myself with it and how much easier it would things for me!!
tweet~
http://twitter.com/LynnAnnMatthews/status/6933998871
lynnnjoe@hotmail.com
I would like that i can take it with me on all the places i have to waite like doctors offices, car rides and the dreaded trip to the inlaws. It would make my life so much easeyer because i could surfe the net from my recliner too!
lynnnjoe@hotmail.com
This would definitely keep me entertained, which would lead to less stress and that would just make everything easier!!
This would make my life so easier. With a husband readying himself for another deployment (and the planning with all his constant training/schooling around the country beforehand), it would be nice to send this with him so he had some way to communicate with us when they aren’t allowed to use cell phones!
The UMID mbook will make my life in grad school a whole lot organized! I could search for online articles and take notes, check my mail .. . and it would save me the trouble of lugging along a laptop!
PLS PICK ME!! I need this to help my family to stay organized and in touch and ready to face the world. This nice gadget will be very useful to us.
Facebook on the go would be awesome as would looking up directions instead of driving in circles.
It must be good. It will simplify difficult tasks.
Hi ladies – very cool contest! Although I am in front of a laptop all day and have an iPhone, there is never a shortage of tech gadgets in the house. The kitchen would be perfect for me as I do like to look at recipies and find a new twist to my old favorites. I would also love it for road trips with the kids.
tweeted
http://twitter.com/momof3dolls/status/6885270755
This would make it easier to take with me anywhere when I’m with the kids. I can just keep it in my diaper bag!
I would definately use this for our real estate business! This would be great on the road!
My Tweet
http://twitter.com/Luv2CUSmyle/statuses/6883988346
LuvMoeDog2@ aol dot com
The Umid mbook would make my life easier because I could use it anywhere. It will enable me to still be able to see my kids participate in their activities while not missing contacts or messages that i would otherwise when I am not at my computer. It would also make my life easier because I could have all of my important information at my fingertips, literally. While looking for a new job, I could pull up contacts for jobs, phone numbers of past employers, etc including my resume and sending it to a prospective employers e-mail while I am out and about. I could schedule my appts and put my kids functions and appts in my Umid immediately so they are not forgotten. In the times I have down time, I can listen to some easy listening, relaxing music or watch one of my fav shows on Hulu w/o having to worry that the kids need the computer. This is a wonderful giveaway!
LuvMoeDog2@ aol dot com
tweeted here
http://twitter.com/tnshadylady/status/6882666213
I would love to have this wonderful little gadget so I wouldn’t have to lug my laptop around!! My cell phone is useless to me for any kind of productivity – and yes, even answering emails is being productive. 🙂
This would make it easier to keep up with my blog while traveling or in school or anything else. I will be returning to school soon & hopefully traveling more so this would be so helpful in that area & mean so much to me!
Tweeted!
http://twitter.com/Ma21cuteboy/status/6881909450
This little power punching device would make my life so much easier because I am a single mom to a son with learning disabilities, was recently diagnosed with cancer, and a full time student getting my masters in nursing. I could use this when I am getting my chemo treatments, I could use it to help my son with his homework, and I could definately use it for blogging:}
Thank you for the opprotunity!
Blogged http://theartofrandomwillynillyness.blogspot.com/2009/12/blogher-and-intel-giveaway.html
tweeted http://twitter.com/carogonza/status/6879601550
I would love to have this and it would make my life easier because I would be connected to the internet whereever I go. It would be easy to get directions and info.
This would be so great for taking with me to class!
This would enable me to stay connected to the world when I’m out and about, and when my husband is home hogging the computer!
I would be ecstatic to win this device!This would help me get more organized.
I tweeted this contest here
http://twitter.com/gijeanie/status/6803808333
This would make my life easier espeacially when I have to travel. Then I could check my email anywhere. I would take this everywhere with me.
I blogged about this, too! 🙂
http://rebeccaandallan.blogspot.com/2009/12/how-cool-is-this.html
Rebecca B.
shadesofpink812@yahoo.com
This would make my life easier because I could stay organized!
Rebecca B.
shadesofpink812@yahoo.com
I could track everything!
Keep in touch the friends and family while out on trips with our scouts, jot down notes while on the go, take quick videos.
it’s small enough that i can hide it from my kids! no more trying to play with mommy’s laptop!
This would make my life easier because I could give it to my husband so he would stop hogging the laptop! Or the other way around- he he!
This would help me by providing a little electronic distraction for my seven year old (occasionally- occasionally!) He keeps asking me to tell him stories, and I’m running out. Last time I told one, he made cricket noises to show his disapproval.
B-Blogged for it: http://humanchristian.blogspot.com/2009/12/intel-umid-mbook.html
T-Tweeted for it: http://twitter.com/comefollowme/status/6757197891
It would make my life easier in that I would have to tote around my super heavy big laptop…I would love it!
I love that it has a stylus!
I could definitely use this to simplify some of my quick computer use items. This seems much more efficient and easier than starting up the computer for just a couple quick emails and such.
I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/Denise0480/status/6741713477