We discussed the idea that Apple should get into the business (not literally) of copying the competition, since the competition apparently has no qualms about taking/borrowing their innovations and incorporating it into their products.

Case in point again, now we have this "G-sensor shock protection" feature. Is this a facsimile of Apple's "Sudden Motion Sensor"? Gasp!! (See related story link below).

In response to that article, reader N. Santos from Northern California sent us an e-mail, dated October 10th, 2006, informing us that Sony already had a laptop smaller than the Sony VAIO TX750P/B we "reviewed"--though laptop would be a misnomer--which is a handheld PC with a screen only 4.5 inches wide.

That's just about the size of the 12-inch PowerBook G4's battery!

Santos went on to tell us that although small, the handheld PC was loaded with features--his description almost exact in every detail as the one provided in Sunday's CompUSA ad, minus the product's model no.--and yet, only weighs 1.2 pounds. (Santos referred to the VGN UX-180P, while CompUSA advertised the VGN UX-280P).

His opinion on the product? "I personally do not see the convenience factor of having such a small computer that would probably require a toothpick to hit the keys," said Santos. "Let alone see what you are looking at in such a small size screen."

So, would Mac users love the idea of an Apple device similar to Sony's' UX Micro PC? An Apple tablet PC... no that just doesn't sound right-- an Apple tablet Mac, or an Apple tablet computer? Maybe. We don't know.

Whatever Apple has under its sleeve with their innovative approach to this virtual touch screen, it certainly is something not currently on the market, since, they wouldn't be applying for a patent for an invention that already exists.

Which begs the question. Is the unit operable solely by touch screen as Apple's predicted tablet will feature as its innovation, or, is the touch screen a companion to the tiny keypad, uh, keyboard underneath the screen, like Sony's Micro PC?

ZDNet.com's O'Grady writes, "There are a lot of negatives to tablet computers: they are less functional than full-fledged notebook PCs, data input can be dicey... and they're usually pretty bulky and expensive."

We won't argue that fact, since we mentioned that in the previous article too. Would Mac users pony up the money for a more ultra-portable laptop if it meant paying more money--case in point, the Sony VAIO TX750P/B which, though ultra-compact, starts at $2099.99--when you could get by with say, a MacBook for a grand less than that?

"No way Jose." At least, not in our opinion.

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