Small And Cool, Yes--But This UMPC Has Some LimitationsSmall And Cool, Yes--But This UMPC Has Some Limitations

If you're one of the many toting around cell phones, notebook computers, and media players, it's probably getting to the point where you need to lighten the load or start seeing a chiropractor. Various vendors are doing their best to help, and one of the more interesting entries is FlipStart.

FlipStart Labs' device is a small (5.9 by 4.5 by 1.6 inches) ultramobile PC, or UMPC, that runs Windows XP or Vista and has a full, if very small, keyboard and built-in navigation controls. It uses a 1.1-GHz Intel Pentium M processor and comes with 512 Mbytes of DDR2 RAM and a 30-Gbyte hard drive.

Unlike many UMPCs, FlipStart boasts a traditional clamshell design--it looks like a notebook that was kept in the dryer too long. It's lighter than your average notebook, at less than 2 pounds. The exact weight depends on which of two batteries you use: The optional $150 Slimline offers one to three hours and brings the FlipStart down to 1.5 pounds; the standard battery provides three to six hours, taking the device to 1.75 pounds.

A BIT OF EVERYTHING

The FlipStart comes with 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth; you can also subscribe to Sprint Mobile Broadband and stay online even if you're not within range of a Wi-Fi connection. Other features include a VGA camera and microphone for videoconferencing, as well as a port replicator that adds video, speaker, and Ethernet ports, and two USB ports.

FlipStart's 5.6-inch, 1,024-by-600-pixel SVGA display takes getting used to. The manufacturer anticipated this and provided a handy Zoom key that magnifies the active window. It's a very useful feature, especially for detailed Web sites.

The navigation controls are located on either side of the keyboard, close to the display. The right side offers the choice of either a trackpad or touchstick, while the mouse buttons are on the left. You control the movement of the cursor with your right thumb and click with your left, which works nicely. I found the controls very easy to use.

On the other hand, the QWERTY keyboard may be problematic. The tiny keys are mainly suited for thumb typing. For me, it worked well for small words and phrases--say, for sending a short e-mail. I have fairly small hands and had no problem reaching the keys while holding the unit. Still, it won't be a happy experience for anyone who has to put together more than a few sentences. I can't imagine using FlipStart's keyboard for any serious document creation. Instead, I'd plan to bring along a USB keyboard.

And that's the problem. FlipStart's cool. It gives you lots of functionality. It performs like a full-sized notebook--but the keyboard and display are more on the PDA level. It will be useful for mobile pros who want to do some surfing and a bit of typing on the road, and then will plug it into a monitor and keyboard later. But its $1,999 price tag means most buyers will have to choose between the FlipStart and an ultralight notebook like the Fujitsu Lifebook Q or Sony Vaio TX. I know which I'd choose.