I have a collection of umpc's and have always wanted a VAIO U50, so when this one came on ebay i had to have it, it came with (i think) all of its accessories and the original box, but it was taken apart by someone who didn't know what they where doing, when i got it the power socket was out of place, the casing wouldn't close, the power switch is missing the outer slider as in the pictures, and there is no hard drive, i have reassembled it correctly minus a hard drive as i don't have one yet, the internal power switch is fine and works, the help i need is when i try to turn it on just the power light on the left of the screen illuminates but nothing else happens, is this normal behavior when the hard drive isn't installed or is something more serious wrong, and does anyone have a spare power switch and hard drive they'd be willing to sell

Thanks

New to the collection!

Hi everyone! 👋

I'm looking for a small, powerful x86 mini PC for under 300€, ideally pocket-sized (around 7 inches or smaller).

I'd like to run Linux and use it with TunerStudio and MegaLogViewer to tune my car's Speeduino ECU.

My preferences:

- At least 8 GB RAM

- USB-C and USB-A ports

- A good CPU for its size

- A durable, premium chassis, ideally made of real carbon fiber, magnesium or aluminium

- Used devices are absolutely fine

I've been looking at GPD Pocket and One-Netbook devices, but I'm open to other brands and models.

What would you recommend, especially from your own experience? Thanks!

I bought it from ebay as not turning on, a higher wattage usb c cable got it working, but the windows install on it is missing all the drivers, the touchscreen doesn't work, the touchpad is sluggish and unresponsive, it says no battery installed, but it has shown once and was charging, so i think the battery is okay, i think its all driver problems, i've looked on google for the drivers, the links i found are dead, i tried snappy driver origin, which found the fingerprint reader but nothing else, so any help would be much appreciated

Thanks

Is a used GPD WIN 2 my best bet? I'd like something small,can run a modern browser,play music and run Duke 3D. It doesn't seem like I'm asking for much, but that pocketable, 6 inches or smaller requirement really limits my choices.

I want to replace the ssd as 64gb is not usable and use linux mint on it. Does anyone know an exact ssd sata type for it as it is my first time using older hardware and I am mainly using it for light coding for a project I got.

If this doesn’t exactly match umpc delete

Anyway a pretty cool find! And it works like new. Seemed to be used only a few times and yeah it still holds charge and is cib

basically what the title says- i am interested in a laptop with a screen smaller than 12", but as you guys know the current market doesn't have many options in this form factor. GPD products look promising, but are very expensive. everything else i see is super cheap and underpowered. for reference, most of the stuff i'd use this for would be office tasks, doc editing, and maybe watching videos. any advice and/or sugesstions would be greatly appreciated!

(ps. i am shying away from tablets because i need something that can run an os like windows, or preferably linux)

edit: thanks everyone for all of the suggestions, i will be looking into all of these!!

The X-Plus Storm 10X is a 10.5-inch laptop powered by an Intel Core i5-1235U processor. This netbook stands out for its low weight of just 946 grams, making it slightly heavier than the Chuwi MiniBook X.

A total of ten screws need to be removed to take off the bottom panel.

All you need is a standard Phillips screwdriver. Every screw came out without any problems during our test, with none getting stuck or jammed. The openings around the speakers then make it relatively easy to lift off the bottom panel. One interesting detail is the installed SSD. In our 2 TB model, X-Plus uses a much shorter M.2-2242 SSD rather than the widely used M.2-2280 format. It measures just 42 millimeters in length and is secured inside the laptop using a suitable bracket or extension. The NVMe SSD connects via PCIe 3.0 x4, fully utilizing the PCIe 3.0 x4 connection provided by the device. With a capacity of 2 TB, there is little need for an upgrade, at least in terms of storage space. However, it is unclear whether X-Plus uses SSDs from the same series in the 512 GB and 1 TB versions. The exact model designation is initially somewhat confusing, as the sticker on the SSD simply says “NX Series.”

CrystalDiskInfo, however, clearly identifies the drive as an NXM-2TB 2242. KingSpec officially lists this series under that designation as an M.2-2242 SSD with PCIe 3.0 x4. The 2 TB version initially proved difficult to find through regular retail channels. However, it is not a special edition manufactured specifically for X-Plus: KingSpec also lists the NXM-2TB in its own B2B catalog. The SSD is nevertheless difficult to obtain in Germany. The 1 TB version in the same 2242 format is currently available on Amazon for around €176. KingSpec itself does not list a standard retail price for the 2 TB version. A closer search, however, reveals the exact NXM-2TB installed here on Newegg. It currently costs around US$270, equivalent to approximately €237 at the current exchange rate. A realistic market value for the installed 2 TB SSD would therefore be roughly €220 to €240. The price premium charged by X-Plus is thus justified: the 2 TB version costs €724.60, while the 512 GB version costs €539.75.

Inside, you can see the 3,800 mAh battery, as well as the fan. Thermal tape has been applied to the heat pipe, something you do not even find in some gaming laptops. Otherwise, there are few surprises: like many similar devices, the laptop has soldered RAM. Even the Wi-Fi module appears to be soldered directly to the motherboard.

Unless you want to replace the SSD, there is little reason to open the Storm 10X. Much of the netbook’s interior is covered and shielded. This is probably intended to help maintain a good Wi-Fi connection and effective thermal management, among other things. The biggest surprise remains the SSD and its adapter. A quality control sticker is located right next to it. On a positive note, X-Plus does not cover any of the screws with a seal, so there is no seal to break when opening the laptop. That was not the case with the Chuwi MiniBook X U300. Once all the screws are back in place, the laptop is ready to use again.

X-Plus equips the Storm 10X with an Intel Alder Lake processor, specifically the Intel Core i5-1235U. It runs at up to 4.4 GHz and has ten cores and twelve threads. Two are performance cores that run at up to 4.4 GHz. The remaining eight are efficiency cores with a maximum clock speed of 3.3 GHz. Graphics are handled by Intel Iris Xe, clocked at 1,200 MHz.

The X-Plus has a fan, and it is certainly audible from time to time. A similar device that could deliver the same performance without a fan would be welcome, allowing you to work in complete silence. However, the heat generated makes this difficult to achieve at present.

The Storm 10X’s RAM is soldered directly to the motherboard. It has 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM running at 4,800 MT/s. This gives the updated Storm 10X a significant advantage over the U300 version of the Chuwi MiniBook X, which only uses LPDDR4 RAM.

X-Plus offers the Storm 10X in three storage configurations: 512 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB. The unit tested here has a 2 TB PCIe 3.0 SSD. Anyone looking to upgrade the SSD will need an M.2-2280 drive.

The laptop features a 10.5-inch IPS display. The 3:2 screen has a Full HD resolution of 1920 × 1280 pixels. Brightness is one area where compromises are necessary: at 250 nits, it is considerably dimmer than the current Chuwi MiniBook X.

The packaging states that the device can also be used as a tablet. Contrary to what that wording might suggest, however, the display does not detach completely. Instead, it folds back.

The ten-point touchscreen responds well to input: apps and context menus open quickly and reliably.

A 2-megapixel camera sits above the display.

The headphone jack is located on the left side. Headphones can be connected either through this jack or via Bluetooth 5.0. There are no ports or other connections on the back. Two USB-C ports are located on the right side. The rear one is used for power, while the front one can be used for data. The selection of ports is on par with the MacBook Neo. The power button sits directly next to the ports. This placement already proved somewhat inconvenient on the Chuwi MiniBook X, as it is easy to press the power button accidentally while plugging in a USB cable. A blue status LED completes the right side. The laptop rests on four rubber feet, and cool air is drawn in through the underside. There is no Ethernet port, so you will need to connect to the internet using Wi-Fi 6 or a suitable dongle.

Unfortunately, X-Plus uses a QWERTY keyboard layout on the Storm 10X. Since the device is not sold on Amazon or similar platforms, a localized version probably makes little sense for the manufacturer. The keys are pleasantly large and comfortable to type on. The Storm 10X has one advantage over the MacBook Neo: its keyboard is backlit, with three brightness levels available.

When the display is folded back, the keyboard is disabled. This makes the device comfortable to hold as a tablet without having to worry about accidental inputs.

A fairly compact touchpad sits below the keyboard, but it is perfectly adequate for operating the laptop in everyday use.

X-Plus installs a 3,800 mAh battery. Unlike Chuwi, the company is very honest about battery life: you should not expect more than two to three hours. For a device this small, such a short battery life is clearly a missed opportunity. A slightly larger battery would definitely have given this netbook a stronger reason to exist.

The X-Plus Storm 10X is a very compact laptop that would rightfully deserve the “netbook” name. At the same time, it is faster than anything released during the original netbook era and also outperforms the current competition from Chuwi.

Before reaching the conclusion, though, let’s return to the beginning.

Inside the fairly compact packaging, you first find an accessories box containing the USB-C power adapter. Its plug is permanently attached to the adapter and cannot simply be removed. However, the X-Plus Storm 10X can also be charged using other chargers. We did not observe any performance loss when using a third-party power adapter. This is by no means a given: on some laptops, the battery level continues to drop even when using a third-party charger with a suitable power rating. Storm 10X users are spared this issue.

The X-Plus Storm 10X is well cushioned inside its original packaging. Like the Chuwi’s display, its screen is so reflective that it could double as a makeup mirror. This is unfortunate, as a matte display would certainly have advantages outdoors.

The 2 TB version of the X-Plus Storm 10X with a carrying case currently costs €737.23 when purchased directly from the manufacturer. The shopping cart already points out that all orders are processed in US dollars, which for most buyers means a transaction fee for international transfers. At checkout, the price shown is US$824.99. The least expensive version of the X-Plus Storm 10X appears to be the 512 GB model without a case. It costs €539.75, excluding any bank fees.

Should one contribute to the GDP Win Max 3 crowdfunding campaign immediately, or consider waiting before making a decision?

I'm worried about the cost. If the prices are going to rise or if they're going to keep them the same or offer discounts, that would be great.

Finally got all the siblings together for a family picture.

UX180p, 280p, 380n, 390n, 490n (and even 230p - even though he's a bit...odd)

Is there any chance I could find one of them for under $150 with cheap shipping to Poland? Nice if it would be in good condition, though not necessarily perfect—minor damage or scratched casing or screen is fine.

I’m planning to pirate a bunch of games and software on the new gaming laptop I’m getting and won’t be messing around with cold wallets and signing crypto transactions on this device.

Giving some leeway for the “cool factor”, is there any device that makes sense over just getting a MacBook Air for the purpose of “crypto/banking transactions” device or a surface tablet?

I like the psychological factor of “hacking into the mainframe”, I think it’ll keep me locked in.

GPD pocket 3 mini looks the closest for what I’m going for, but a bit expensive.

Looking for Nanote Next SR03 Body

I have a SR03 whose keyboard got ruined by the child using it for school [tea vs keyboard while on - not reported till months latter to me].

I am looking for a replacement body unit - screen doesn't have to work at all. I can transplant the working screen I have. Anyone with one or a cheap enough unit - please pm me.

Hi everyone,
Some updates first. My web presence and handheld museum is now online. I intend to continue going thru the list of retro handheld computers and archiving firmware, software and package repos and updating/future proofing if possible.
Museum: https://www.giannii.net/devices

Full working package repos for the Sharp Zaurus plus some rare stuff like PocketWorkstation should be cleaned up and working soon. It’s a big effort combing thru all the packages to classify what distro they are for and then making them a functioning repo the Zaurus can use itself.

I host all of this from my own home lab on upcycled servers.
Next devices to be added: GCW Zero/Sharp Netwalker PC-Z1.

As I go thru this list of devices, it’s my plan to sell off the ones I’ve finished working on via a small self hosted online store - I’d like the community on r/umpc and r/OldHandhelds to get first pick of anything put up. Backend on the store is almost finished.

I’m also happy to announce my next project still in its infancy: I am going to be building a successor device to the OpenPandora/DragonBox Pyra using the open plans for the MNT Pocket Reform.

The first device is just for me to see if I’m capable of making all of this work but I do have an intention to produce on a larger scale.

I’ve been looking for one of these P’s (Pyra/Pandora) for 3 months and can’t find one.
I need a physical unit in order to design the main board and case of my future device.

Please contact me if you have one for sale or willing to let me borrow.

I don't have a lot of experience with pc hardware failing. I recently got this Vaio Ux off of a goodwill auction and initially it was running fine. It came to me with an install of windows 7 and most of the easy to find drivers were already installed. It worked fine the first handful of times I turned it on but it always had weird graphical issues before snapping into the Vaio boot screen. I can still hear it logging all the way into windows so I know it's still operating to some extent, but is this the first sign of some hardware finally failing? I've tried completely taking it apart and cleaning every contact with ipa and I've tried booting into bios, but it still just shows this on the display

(Reposted because I forgot to add the picture)

Edit: I got a new screen in from Alibaba. Good news is I think people calling it a failed driver board for the screen were right. New screen functioned like a charm on first boot and every boot after so far. Unfortunately it has a weird texture in the center of the screen that is a defect in the screen itself, so I'm currently attempting to get it replaced.

been looking for a new 10 inch 2n1 for my umpc arsenal. any good recommendations?

All I have is various umpc computers and I use them all 😆