Okay, so I have been looking at a few options. Seems like most Ad Club events I attend, there is always someone with an iPod Touch, or similar, showing their little portfolio on the small screen. After investigating, I find:

Vosonic VP8860
Sony milo
Sony PSP
Apple iPod Touch
JoBo GigaView (several models)
Epson (forgot what it is called)

The Sony milo seems the most interesting, but it doesn't have that strong build quality . . . or seems like I might break one (I'm really tough on gear). So anyone use any of these other things?

I know Photokina is coming up in September, so I would imagine some new devices. Screen resolutions on small screens are getting better, so maybe I should wait.

Ideally, the device would be SD card or USB input enabled, have WiFi built in, and have good battery life. Beyond that, I would be happy to see videos on the small screen, and the device to be a reasonable size and weight.

I have a Microsoft Zune that I got really cheap when they first came out. It is about as good as anything you're going to use short of a full-screen iPod in terms of size vs. price. The screen is of reasonable quality and the battery life is quite good. It does not have direct input of images, they can only be input from a computer. (Unless there's a third-party app that lets it do that.)

M

I was looking at the new Asus Eee "mini laptops" with the 8.9" screens. Very cheap - $350.00 - and they come with WiFi.

I was checking out the internet on one and the display was very good.

• SD card = I think it does
  
• USB input enabled = Yes
  
• have WiFi built in = Yes
  
• have good battery life = I don't know

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Image of Asus Eee

A mini laptop is an idea, but then it doesn't really fit into a pocket. The main idea is to carry something much smaller. Usage would be those moments when no computer/laptop is nearby, and someone goes "I'd like to see your website/portfolio" . . . or something like that.

Microsoft Zune seems interesting, though like iPod Touch the need for computer input is not so convenient. Also, I would hope for better resolution, though maybe that happens in the next version.

wow only three pop up screens after I read your post i can reply. First I had to log in, I guess it didn't remember me from yesterday, then I had to read the post again then hit Reply one more pop up and here I am. I hate pop-ups. Any way, I have both an epson p-2000 and an I-pod touch, so here's my take. The P-2000 (new one is a 5000 I think)I couldn't live with out this thing on jobs but it's pretty low for reviewing images, I hear the new version is much faster though. It's taken a few good drops and seems ok. The Touch is just very cool, it would be a good thing to carry around to show people your work on the spot, screen is nice and scrolling is fast, plus it has wi-fi for internet, email etc.... Itunes and lots of other cool stuff, I've finally replaced both my paper planner and all the scraps of paper I used to carry around with this thing. It's also really thin so it's easy to carry every where it's a good bit thinner than the new I-phones. My ipod touch has become like an appendage for me.

Creative's "Zen W" media player is downright chunky compared to the iPod Touch (I have both) and the controls are annoying, but it does have the advantage of being able to plug in a CF card. An adapter is available to plug in SD and other card formats. Screen is 4.3", noticeably larger than the Touch.

I've used my iPhone as a supplemental portfolio for over a year now. It's easy to update and stores multiple, customized portfolios with ease. Besides, ADs love to squeeze the zoom and flip the pages. It works great.

ditto on the iPhone

That Creative Zen Vision W looks interesting. Screen resolution is nice. I'll try to see if I can check one out at Best Buy or other store. The only thing missing is WiFi.

My iPhone has also come in handy... and you always have it with you.

I like the iPhone for this too. I mentioned it on one of my blog posts.

Unfortunately, I don't want to switch to AT&T mobile service, so it would be iPod Touch instead of iPhone for me. Still a possibility, though I wish it had SD card input.

A trip to Best Buy allowed me to look at Creative Vision, and Microsoft Zune. Vision was too bulky, though nice features. Zune seemed like I would break it too soon. Then I stumbled across the Palm TX; slightly low on screen resolution that I wanted, but the built in SD slot and WiFi are nice features.

I am wondering if something impressive will happen at Photokina, which is a couple weeks away. There are a few higher resolution screens coming to phones, and maybe other devices will get more. I also know of more touch screen technology coming to market soon, though mostly larger screens.

Ever thought just doing a mini book instead.....

I had a mini printed portfolio in the past, though I stopped updating it because it was too easily damaged. It might be something to try again, because I recently found a printing service that does really great small items at low cost. Then I would have something to give away as a promo.