Mobile PC

As you look at the HTC Shift, I would imagine I can guess what you're thinking. You're thinking, 'That's a big phone,' right? Well, you see, the thing is, it's not. It's not a phone at all!

No, what you see here is not a big phone, because it is, in fact, a super-small laptop!

Yes, it's a UMPC, or 'Ultra-Mobile PC' as they're known, one of a growing number of diminutive powerhouses, that match, and often exceed, the performance of their bigger laptop-brothers! The HTC Shift certainly does, because what you're looking at here is in fact the ultimate, all-in-one mobile broadband machine! It'll let you get mobile broadband without having to buy anything else!

Ultra Powerful

If it's going to have the title of a mobile PC, then it needs to be powerful. As in, really powerful, and certainly more powerful than even the top-end mobile phones. Well, the simple fact is that the HTC Shift is more powerful than any device we've gotten our hands on. The first factor in that is the fact it comes with not one, but two operating systems, Windows Mobile 6 (in cut-down, power-saving mode) and Windows Vista Business, providing the ideal match between worlds.

So, if you need it in full-on, full-fat work mode, just press the button to switch it to Vista, giving you full access to the full, included Office suite, and any additional programs. And then, when you're done, a single button-press switches it back to Windows Mobile mode, and watch the power consumption drop to minimal levels. Why is that a good thing? Well, simply, it lets you keep the HTC Shift turned on, so you can access the critical functions and keep getting important messages, without Vista turned on, which means a massive increase in battery life from laptop performance, up to mobile phone performance.

Fun Time

It's clear, then, that the HTC Shift is a two-headed creature, with its combination of two Windows interfaces. But it's also two-headed in what it does. It has the sensible business head... and then, if the call arises, it can put its fun head on! Key to that is the inclusion of Windows Media Player 11, the latest and most advanced version of Windows Media, with superb music and video playback.

If you do fire up Windows Media Player, then you're in for a treat, as well, because the HTC Shift has a high-definition 7-inch screen. Not only that, but it's widescreen and in a stroke of genius by HTC, you can change the screen resolution from 800x600 to 1024x768. So, you get the ability to easily use the touchscreen's icons but at the press of a button, you get a massively higher resolution screen!

Total Security

Finally, with the vast wealth of material you'll be putting on your HTC Shift, how can you be sure it will be secure? Well, the answer's simple; the HTC Shift is one of the most secure devices in existence, thanks not to encryption or secure passwords, but thanks to the fact it has biometric security. Or, to put it simply, it has a fingerprint reader. The only person who has your fingerprint is you, so the only person who can get into your Shift is you.

So, if you want the ultimate mobile PC, a device that truly will go anywhere and do anything your PC at home or work will do (and I mean anything), then you need the HTC Shift. If you want a mobile broadband device that will let you connect to the internet at 3.6Mbps, you need the HTC Shift. If you want the total mobile broadband solution, without needing to buy anything else, you need the HTC Shift.

Whatever your needs, there's no doubt... you need the HTC Shift!