Ultra-Portable Concept PC Shown at WinHEC 2005

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://apnews1.iwon.com/image/20050425/MICROSOFT_GATES.sff_WATW101_20050425145646.html?date=20050426&docid=D89N89O00' target='_blank'>http://apnews1.iwon.com/image/20050425/MICROSOFT_GATES.sff_WATW101_20050425145646.html?date=20050426&docid=D89N89O00</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates holds a model of an ultra-mobile concept PC Monday, April 25, 2005 in Seattle that he said was a futuristic example of the use of Windows Operating System technology. Gates delivered the opening keynote address at the 2005 Microsoft Windows Hardware Engineering Conference."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/winhec2005.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/><br /><br />During his WinHEC 2005 keynote, Bill Gates showed a concept device - it's a vastly shrunken Tablet PC-type device with a touchscreen and (presumably) wireless hardware. In many ways, this looks like a very slick device, but I'm always concerned about battery life in small devices that have hard drives and large, bright screens. This device looks ideal for Web browsing and video playback, but largely useless for most other tasks...but I'd need to learn more before making any further snap judgments. ;-) <br /><br />You can find more photos of WinHEC hardware in the <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/events/winhec/gallery.asp">Microsoft PressPass gallery</a>, including a high-resolution image of that <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/events/winhec/images/image002.jpg">Ultra-Portable concept device</a> (1.26 MB).

[Kris Kumar]

CNet article on the same topic. (http://news.com.com/Microsoft+dreams+up+low-cost+mini-tablet+PC+-+page+2/2100-1012_3-5681655-2.html?tag=st.num) :-)

I like what Microsoft is doing. Instead of companies like OQO and Sony that come up with competitive and proprietary mini Tablet PC designs. Microsoft creates a nice reference platform. And helps lower the cost and promotes acceptance.

Now that Tablet PC, Pocket PC and Smartphone platforms have gained some popularity. It's time for them to go after the missing item or rather the broken item. ;-) I feel this design is a redesign of the Windows Portable Media device. Which currently is bulky and limited in functionality.

[Mike Temporale]

That's a very interesting device. I'll have to see more details before I decide to ditch my laptop in favour of this device. It looks promising, but it's still early.

[windmiller]

Mike,

What do you think typically happens to the prototypes that big companies produce? On a rare ocasion you see them on Ebay (remeber the IPAQ Phone w/ pgone modules that showed up on ebay)