[Shift General] nbos04:
Shift if GOOD - After you research YOUR requirements

OK, I am going to sort of repeat myself from a previous post, but here goes:

Several people here have highlighted that the shift is great for them, and I likewise agree. It is great for me. But this conclusion was only reached after three months of research into what I REALLY NEEDED, and what was on offer. I own a 12.1" laptop. Used it for about two years. I also own a O2 Zinc. The two worked well together, but there was something missing. So I investigated my needs (user requirements) and then looked into what met this "in-between" (or Functional) requirement. This is when I found out about modern day UMPCs.

I call them modern day because I once owned a Cassiopea, which at the time was a "handheld PC (HPC)" and was one of the spring boards for our pocket PC "super" phones. However, try as I might, no Pocket PC could compare to the Cassiopea. Though their OSs, power, capabilties, etc are better, the Cassiopea was easy to use and provided a good "fly away" capability (though I did have to reformat all my reports on my Desktop).

Now the Shift:

I use it for work primarily. I am currently away in PNG and my job has me doing many, many recons throughout the country. I have taken this thing everywhere.

I write all recon and technical documents on it (I loaded my copy of Office 2007 on the Vista side), use it to carry any CAD drawings I have (not for major update, but for reference), and use the outlook. Effectively, it has replaced my laptop as my "away from home" machine. It is good to be able to return home with most if not all of the report written and ready.

So, the WM6 side? This is an added benifit that made me choose the Shift over the other "front runner" I was considering (the Fujitsu). I use it like I have always used my WM6 systems. It is my diary, "little black book" and key document viewer. I don't both making changes to documents on WM6, I just check my technical specs or project reports.

OK, I am currently in PNG so I don't get the 3G side of the house, but I have my Telstra SIM on global roaming and have told my family to SMS me. This thing (on WM6) is great for SMS. I have always hated shortening words. This is one of the reasons why I keep buying phones with QWERTY keyboards, like my O2 Zinc. Now all my personal SMSes are on the shift, and the Zinc remains the phone, small (easy access) diary/contacts, etc. I would, if we had 3G here (and will once back in Australia), use it to check and update emails.

I bought a USB sync cable, so once I get back from recons I can snyc outlook with my laptop (now know as "Main-Frame") and upload all my recon data and reports.

Do I still use the Laptop? Yes, internet here is pretty bad so my laptop is the primary Voip and big download system. I bought a very small modem for the shift that I plug into the USB port for internet when I am out and about. This works very well and ensures that I can maintain contact through GSM (SMS) and emails on the modem (though, due to PNG systems, only on the Vista side).

Overall - I think the Shift is great. It reminds me of my old Casiopia that I have been trying to find a replacement for for so long! The key is ensuring a computer, any computer, meets your requirements. Before I bought mine I did scenario planning and tested the concept. I would point out that there are some Desktop systems on the market I would NEVER buy for a home office, but for a games platform - different storey. It is the same with the Shift. It is a simple work unit that supports (once liberated) instant communications and serious document generation and presentations, with the ability to to a bit of entertainment (some surfing, music and small video). It is not a replacement for a Laptop, nor a smart phone, but it is a great "in-between" link that meets most "office on the move" requirements.

Still - its your choice :)