Not Two Tin Cans and a String
A weekly commentary on the mobile industry
By Dan Blacharski
The Top (And Only) Ultra Mobile PCs
A new category of PC called the "Ultra Mobile" has generated a lot of interest, enthusiasm and scorn, depending on your point of view. Positioned halfway between a notebook and a PDA, the Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) bears a striking resemblance to the "tablet" PC. Does this remind you of the Apple Newton? I never bought one of those, either. The first thing I noticed in the new UMPC reference platform is the conspicuous lack of a keyboard. It does however, have an optional external keyboard, which sort of defeats the whole purpose of the ultra portable concept by giving you another piece you have to carry around with you.
The concept, promoted and designed by Microsoft and Intel, does go a step beyond tablets and PDAs by delivering a full-fledged PC platform, which overcomes a lot of the limitations of existing handhelds and PDAs. The UMPC runs the Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition operating system. Easy Internet access also gives the UMPC an edge over smaller hand-helds and cell phones with Internet access and web surfing, due to its larger seven-inch screen. I have never surfed the web with a cell phone, and would not look forward to trying to do so on a one-inch screen; the UMPC's larger display makes surfing more doable.
Number 1: The first UMPC available is the Samsung Q1 (available at Best Buy online for $1,099.99). Weighing just 1.7 pounds, it runs an Intel Celeron M processor, and boasts a seven inch screen with a touch display. It has a 40GB hard drive, which is more than I have on my desktop, and comes with built-in wireless LAN support and Bluetooth. But even if it's hard to type on it, as an entertainment device it really shines. Its multimedia feature lets you watch movies and listen to music instantly, without having to start Windows.
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Number 2: And speaking of keyboards, here's one with the real thing. Sony's VAIO VGN-UX50 Micro PC, priced at $1799.99, has a smaller form factor than the others with a 4.5 inch screen, and technically Sony calls it a "Micro" PC and not an UMPC, but as they say, "if it looks like a duck..." It comes with wireless LAN and Bluetooth technology, GPS, and plenty of entertainment and multimedia features. Biometric fingerprinting is also available, and Sony's put it to good use. You can protect access to your applications and secure web sites without having to type your passwords in.
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Number 3: Also expected out next month is an UMPC from Asus (the Asus R2H), which will include a 1.3 megapixel camera and built-in GPS. Also included is a high-resolution webcam and apparently a fingerprinter, which could eventually prove useful if companies start using biometrics to a greater degree for access control. Early reports say it will have a folding USB keyboard.
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Number 4: The TabletKiosk eo will be priced at $899. Running a VIA chipset instead of Intel, the eo also uses a touchscreen instead of a keyboard, and lacks the extra frills (GPS, camera,etc.) of the more expensive competitors. Go here to Buy it
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Number 5: From China, the Founder Mini-Note at 800 grams will deliver similar features, including the camera, and a 3-in-1 card reader, joystick, and instant-on function.
Via Gizmodo
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Number 6: Also new on the UMPC market is the Paceblade EasyBook 7, another VIA-based competitor. Technically, I suppose we can't call the TabletKiosk and PaceBlade UMPCs because they don't run Intel, but it's all in the details. The PaceBlade comes with an "onscreen" keyboard, which once you get used to it, is almost like the real thing.
Via jkOnTheRun
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Number 7: From France, the It's Label Origami UMPC also runs on the VIA processor and features a touch screen. It includes GPS and Bluetooth, roaming Internet features, and although it can operate as a fully-functioning Windows PC, it's makes special note of its utility as a portable gaming console.
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Number 8: Last but not least there is the OQO 01+ Pocketable Windows XP Computer Pocket PC, it is as big as a handheld, is now available for $2099. It has a 1GHz processor, 30GB hard drive (shock-mounted) & 512MB RAM Along with WiFi(R), Bluetooth(R) & USB 2.0 support. Call OQO sales at 877-676-6688.
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The idea of a PC so small is attractive just for the novelty factor. And if your main use is sending emails, surfing the web, and entertaining yourself with movies, games and music, the UMPC is a great concept. But for those working stiffs among us who make heavy use of the keyboard, I'm not so sure.
Stumble It! | Posted by Paul on June 29, 2006 8:32 AM
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