Verdict: HTC's long awaited Shift is finally here but, despite valiant efforts, it fails to revitalise the UMPC format.
HTC might be best known for its range of Windows Mobile-powered smartphones and PDAs, but its latest offering, the Shift, hopes to inject some new life into the flagging UMPC market.
Even if the considerable price tag doesn't give enough of a clue as to the Shift's luxurious aspirations, the HTC's packaging will. The Shift comes in a huge black box, sheathed in a cardboard slip with a natty aluminium-effect finish.
The attention to such minor aesthetic details is a reassuring touch, especially when you've spent ï900 of your hard-earned cash, but delve inside the box and the good impressions continue - at least in some regards.
HTC provides an assortment of extras: an attractive brown leather pouch for protecting the unit itself and a drawstring felt bag for the mains adapter and accessories. There's also a wired hands-free kit and a mini docking station which provides three USB ports and ethernet networking.
But, after patiently waiting the months it's taken for the HTC Shift to finally arrive, the first glimpse of the hardware is somewhat less than revelatory. The 7in wide screen display takes up most of the front of the device, save for a handful of buttons and controls; a mini-trackpad and a fingerprint reader are spread around the display's aluminium bezel.
The rest of the unit is finished in a glossy gunmetal grey, which looks smart enough, but set against the likes of OQO's gorgeous Model e2, it looks decidedly plain, and more than a little bit on the chunky side.
Considering how much smaller it is than a traditional laptop, it's really not that light either. Without the power supply, the HTC still weighs in at a not-inconsiderable 790g, and its dimensions preclude it from being carried in all but the most gargantuan of pockets. Still, build quality is beyond reproach, and apart from the odd creak when we really grappled with it, the Shift feels well up to being carted around on a daily basis, even if you do need to carry a bag with you to do so.
1 comment:
Stylish and surprisingly spritely for a Windows Vista device. This is a device that works an almost any situation; whether in a cafe, on a train or walking through a crowded street. You can turn empty minutes in to productive minutes with the Shift. HSDPA antenna sensitivity very good making it one of the best all-round Business Mobile Phone devices.
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