Intel Provides Sneak Peek into Second Generation UMPCs

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.tgdaily.com/2006/09/28/second_gen_umpc/' target='_blank'>http://www.tgdaily.com/2006/09/28/second_gen_umpc/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Intel provided a sneak peek at one of the UMPCs planned to hit the market in 2007 - a Yahoo-branded mobile device - that packs a comprehensive feature set into a small form factor. Technical details were scarce... According to the executive, the devices will not use Core 2 Duo processor, and 'consume approximately half the power of today's CPUs with approximately one-fourth the package size.'"</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/ekkie_umpc-version-2_200610.jpg" /><br /><br />I'm sure we'll be seeing more details in the coming weeks and months... but it's obvious that Intel heard many of the criticisms regarding the size of the unit and the short battery life. So my question is does the UMPC become more palatable if both of those issues are addressed?

[jlp]

the problem was manufacturers wanted to put everything inside: GPS, DMB with antenna, 7" screen, 2-3 USB connectors, fingerprint scanner, UMTS/EDGE/GPRS, moviecam, keyboards, etc.

All these take a lot of space, juice, weight and cost a fortune.

I'm sure a minimalist UMPC without all these arguably luxury extras could have made a device much smaller, lighter and less expensive, close to the target price.

However, given the PPC relatively lack of features (no desktop OS, no HDD, small RAM, etc.) and relatively high price would have been a serious conflict for HP and Dell to enter the market.

Notice both sell PPCs with good success, but neither did enter the UMPC arena.

[ADBrown]

I sincerely doubt it. If those are 5" screens, they're still not small devices. If it's not pocketable, it's not useful. If you can show me a UMPC in the size of an iPaq 4700 or a little thicker, with a decently long battery life, and a no more than $600 price tag, maybe it will make some headway. But as it is, here you're still just building mini-tablet PCs.

[jlp]

Except for a quite higher price, the OQO Model 01+ is what you need.

However being the smallest PC and the first such on the market costs more (denser is more expensive to achive and this startup needs to recoup the very long development costs).

Moreover the OQO body is reportedly manufactured in ultra hard alloy called LiquidMetal that's 2.5 times harder than Titanium. It also features and head parking mechanism in case it detects freefall.

All this justifies the higher price.

If you find it's too much for you it's because you don't need it hard enough; remember loads of people that really needed them paid much higher premium prices on the first Compaq (trans)Portable computer or the DataGeneral One (for those long enough into computing to remember it). And there are other examples in various technology field.

The very first StarTac did cost around $2,500 (yes twenty five hundred bucks; at least here, I dunno the US price; probably in line too) when it first came out less than a decade ago and I understand it sold like hotcakes. It was much cooler, smaller and lighter than anything else on the market then and came with a 300% price difference too.

[jgrnt1]

I think the size is right for the market they are trying to hit. The question is whether a large enough market actually exists. PPC's already fill the pocket-sized device market. Asking a device that fits in your pocket to do desktop type tasks is asking too much. There are too many compromises. I have an iPAQ 4700 and wish it was a little bigger. I'm not looking to drop it into my pocket. I carry it in a 6"x8" Franklin planner binder now. If I could get a slightly larger device that was actually enjoyable to surf with, could fit more text on the screen when reading ebooks, could run most of my desktop software and had tablet functionality, I'd consider it, even if it was expensive. I also want all the extras -- WiFi, GPS, GSM/HSDPA, etc. In addition to my iPAQ, I carry a GPS module and an LG CU500 phone, which runs on Cingular's 3G network, in my laptop bag. If I could tether to a UMPC, rather than the phone, or occasionally leave the laptop behind altogether, I'd be very happy. If I could use the UMPC to take notes at meetings, so I didn't have to use a notepad and go through my notes afterwards, I'd be very happy also. I tried to do this with my iPAQ, but the screen is too small and the software options are too limited. Give me a UMPC with all the bells and whistles and decent battery life.

[zybler]

When it comes to UMPC, sony completely nailed it. If only it's cheaper, I'm getting one! UMPC should be small, light, last long (battery life) and comes with a thumboard. Most of it isn't feasible without shooting prices to mars.

[aroma]

and comes with a thumboard.
No thumboard needed! Once you have a little practice with "DialKeys", there's no need for a thumboard or slideout keyboard on a UMPC.

So far, with the exception of battery life, I've been EXTREEMLY happy with my UMPC.

[netboy]

if it CANT fit in your POCKET, why not just get a laptop? Laptop is easier to use, easier on the eyes, do more with it! i guess we have to depend on HTC again.. on the unverisal 2, VGA pdaphone

[aroma]

why not just get a laptop?

Well, for one, you can't use a laptop without a "lap". The UMPC, you can. I underestimated that "feature" until I took it with me on my vacation. Don't get me wrong... this isn't a complete laptop replacement for me (yet), but it's been a very nice addition.

[ricksfiona]

When it comes to UMPC, sony completely nailed it. If only it's cheaper, I'm getting one! UMPC should be small, light, last long (battery life) and comes with a thumboard. Most of it isn't feasible without shooting prices to mars.

No, they didn't completely nail it. Great design, but the screen is too small. I REALLY love the design.

My TabletKiosk EO i7210 FINALLY shipped yesterday. It's taken weeks/months to get anything from TabletKiosk and I wonder as a company, if they'll be around in a year or two. That's the only concern I have.

For me to get a similarly weighted laptop, I would have to spend almost $3000. I'm getting an XP tablet for half the price. I'm super-mobile, so the UMPC is extremely helpful.

However, I am getting an HP iPAQ 6945... At $600, it's a chunk of change. Why? It's pocketable, I can get my eMail easily and can even create documents in a crunch with it. Plus, I really shouldn't take the EO on motorcycle rides on a regular basis either :wink:

[netboy]

why not just get a laptop?

Well, for one, you can't use a laptop without a "lap". The UMPC, you can. I underestimated that "feature" until I took it with me on my vacation. Don't get me wrong... this isn't a complete laptop replacement for me (yet), but it's been a very nice addition.


what happen to your lap??

"I underestimated that "feature" until I took it with me on my vacation"

u dont have a hotel or something? if u going to just do light work, or just check emails while on the go, i rather just carry a pdaPhone. and u can put it in your pocket too!

[ADBrown]

Except for a quite higher price, the OQO Model 01+ is what you need.

Meh. I've used the OQO. Not impressed. The stylus controls were iffy, the battery life not great, and it still suffered from size/weight/heat/performance/etcetera issues.

[Pete Wilson]

In my experience, using a laptop on your lap is awkward, and sometimes hazerdous (burns :) ).

Compare using a latop in a car as a passenger to a UMPC. And lots of people carry day planners that are similar to UMPC size.

That's why the Newton was a great form-factor, and a UMPC that can run for a day (or preferably two or three with partial use) with instant on will replace mine and my PDA in most cases.

PS I still use an iPAQ 5450 because I need fingerprint security