I thought about posting this in the other "Which UMPC should I get" thread, but my needs are a little different so I didn't want to hijack that thread...

Anyway, I need something small, with a pretty decent resolution, touch screen and sliding qwerty keyboard.

I want to be able to have it closed up and use the touch screen like a tablet, or slide out a qwerty keyboard is I want to (and some sort of mouse device- touch pad, thumb stick, etc).

I would also like it to have WiFi, possibly bluetooth, and possibly USB.

I don't care if it has a hard drive or not- as long as it has some sort of storage (SD card would be fine with me).

I don't really care what OS it has. I'm fine with Windows XP, Windows Vista, or even Linux. As long as it has drivers for all the hardware. My first choice is Windows Vista, but OS is way down the line in my priorities right now.

I'd also like it to have a button that instantly turns the screen (and all the lights) off. So if I'm at work (where we aren't supposed to have laptops/PSPs/Gameboyts/etc powered up) and I see my boss heading my way, I can discretely hit a button to make it look like it's been off all along.

I'd leave the keyboard hidden and only slide it out as needed.

I'd like it to have a pretty nice web browsing experience, and also be able to run Open Office. Also play videos, music, etc. I would probably tether it to my cell phone (via WiFi or bluetooth) for internet access, or possibly even buy a mobile data card for it.

Any ideas? Any thoughts/comments are greatly appreciated...

Completely left field, but I understand your requirements as have similar "stealth" mode ones myself, but what about the HTC Advantage ?

OK, it is Windows Mobile, but it does one thing that no Linux or Windows device can do, switch on and off in an instant. And in it's little leather cover it looks like a filofax. You can just discretely close the thing down when you want, it will not complain, then open back and *bingo* back where you started. There is nothing worse than thinking you have 5 minutes to grab a bit of surf time and find that Vista has to do something IT thinks is more important than your task. It will also run all day on battery. OpenOffice - no, but Softmaker office might do ? VGA connector and USB keyboard/mouse via the dock.

Yes, there are compromises. There is no way I would say it is a "proper" OS and it could be more compatible with Office etc.

As I said, a bit left field. But it works for me in similar circumstances.

The main problem with the Advantage is it costs about $300 more than the OQO model 1. And the OQO model 1 is running XP Pro, has the slide out qwerty keyboard, and all the other features...

The Advantage does look like a very nice PDA, but I'm guessing it shares all the same problems as other PDA's (no youtube and web browsing not being as nice as a regular pc being the biggest)...

Oh, absolutely. Xp and WinMo are not in the same league. But what you gain with one you lose with the other.

OQO has XP but will run for a couple of hours. The Advantage all day. It has a keyboard and built in HSDPA.

I love the OQO. But it is not without it's compromises either. If you want something that looks discrete on a desk, perhaps the UMPC is not it. Just trying to present alternatives. 

Well I definitely appreciate your contributions...

I'm not too worried about battery life. I should have access to a power outlet anywhere I am going to use this (my work desk being the #1 location). And while the HSDPA of the advantage is fantastic, I could just use the WiFi or bluetooth to tether to my phone for internet access.

I should have pointed out in the original post- I do have a PDA pphone (HTC Apache- soon to be Touch Pro AKA Raphael or Sony Xperia X1) so I'm not really looking for another Windows Mobile device...

I just basically want something I can use for personal things at work (web, email, documents, music, videos, etc) without anyone noticing. I've been using my phone for this for quite a while now, but I'm ready to move up to "real" web browsing (with you tube) and I'd also like to do a little audio editing here and there too. Nothing major, but I probably need a full OS (XP/Vista/Linux) because any app that runs on Windows Mobile probably wouldn't be powerful enough for even basic audio editing.

You might check out the new Sharp Willcom D4; Conics.net and others are selling them.  It runs vista very well, is both a slider and clamshell, easily fits in a jacket pocket at 7.4" x 3.3" x 1.4" in size. I am waiting for the full review at Pocketables.net when they get to test it with the extended 4-5 hour battery. 

I have similar interests in computers and this D4 to me is one of the best so far.  I think your ideal computer like mine might be a couple of upgrades after the current D4 but the D4 I think is a usable computer that might meet your needs? not perfect but about the best out there so far.

Primaz:

You might check out the new Sharp Willcom D4; Conics.net and others are selling them.  It runs vista very well, is both a slider and clamshell, easily fits in a jacket pocket at 7.4" x 3.3" x 1.4" in size. I am waiting for the full review at Pocketables.net when they get to test it with the extended 4-5 hour battery. 

I have similar interests in computers and this D4 to me is one of the best so far.  I think your ideal computer like mine might be a couple of upgrades after the current D4 but the D4 I think is a usable computer that might meet your needs? not perfect but about the best out there so far.

Wow, that Sharp Willcom D4 looks awesome. Do you know if they are going to make an American version? I see that it has a built in phone that is made for Japan's phone system, and a few other Japanese only features. It definitely looks like the nicest one I've seen so far though. Hopefully there is an American version...

Yes, I would agree if they made a open GSM version that would work with US and Europe that would be the ultimate UMPC but as far as I know it is only made for the Willcom Japan cell network so the cell features will not work outside of Japan.

The device without the cell features to me is still one of the best UMPC's as it does have built in wifi, is jacket pocket size, runs Vista very well, has a easy to read 5" screen, a better more touch type keyboard, and just a great mobile full Vista computer.  You definately need to get it with the extended battery to get usable life of 4-5 hour battery but even with that battery it is still small enough to be jacket pocket size.

I've waited many years to finally see something like the Sharp so while yes it would be cool to have a US version I think it is worth it based on the form factor alone.  UMPC's have traditionally had terrible form factors that are not small enough to be carried in a pocket and also lack normal keyboards.  UMPC's are in their early years and need a lot of improvements to gain mainstream sales so I think you will always need to compromise a bit for the next few years at least. I am waiting for Pocketables.net to get their hands on the extended battery and as long as it proves to have 4 hours of juice or so I think I'm going to get the D4.