04-26-2005, 09:42 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Ultra-Portable Concept PC Shown at WinHEC 2005
"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."
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. ;-)
You can find more photos of WinHEC hardware in the Microsoft PressPass gallery, including a high-resolution image of that Ultra-Portable concept device (1.26 MB).
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04-26-2005, 10:21 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,041
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I think that's a super cool device! Looks like it was running Windows XP which would be ideal, but it would have to boot quickly. My desktop starts up fast enough, but I also have Raptor drives in RAID.
If it would come with Bluetooth, You can have a totally portable device that would suffice for most laptop needs.
If it would cost less that a $1000, my check would be in the mail.
BTW, have you noticed how much weight Bill has lost?
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04-26-2005, 10:35 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 291
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Mini TabletPC!
Looks great! 
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04-26-2005, 10:45 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by ricksfiona
If it would cost less that a $1000, my check would be in the mail...BTW, have you noticed how much weight Bill has lost?
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That's just it - the first generation devices will probably be $2000 or so...which means few people will buy them out of the gate.
I did notice how different he looked in that photo - I think he almost looks unhealthy actually...let's hope not. :-)
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04-26-2005, 11:16 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 451
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On the PC, it's something I want! However it's likely to be expensive, and like most first gen products it's going to be buggy or have a few deal-breaking design quirks, like the OQO. Basically (for me anyway) this is a notebook replacement. PDA stuff will be done on the PDA phone, like the Treo series. With a notebook of this size I can get by with PalmOS on the phone.
On Bill Gates, he looks haggard or just plain aging. Probably both. =P
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04-26-2005, 11:26 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 260
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In my opinion, this is the Pocket PC of the future (referring to the device Gates is holding in the Picture). A bit bigger than current Pocket PCs, but it is what I feel an acceptable size device with regards to the screen. I think it is the perfect size device for a Pocket PC and a perfect size device for a "true" portable tablet Windows device. Though if this device becomes a reality being able to run WinXP I would see no reason to stay with the Windows Mobile OS, except maybe using it on a smartphone.
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04-26-2005, 11:29 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 289
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Rick,
I think to get fast boot ups, we'll all have to start using hibernation or suspend instead of actually rebooting. Let's hope that by the time this guy comes out, we won't have to reboot our devices quite as often.
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04-27-2005, 12:18 AM
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Mystic
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,887
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The purpose of the WinHec prototypes is to highlight several new PC technologies to be available in early 07 Longhorn portables.
Some of the technologies coming to 07 PCs include:
- TabletPC functionality as a part of the baseline OS
- Flash ram (1Gb) caches as part of the HD to extend battery life
- 1.1 Ghz (or faster) ultra-low power Pentium M
- Instant on courtesy of flash ram hibernation
What makes this particular prototype significant is that it is intended to sell for $800 in 18 months.
It has a 9" screen, is about 8" by 6" by ~0.5" and weighs one pound.
(Best guess is that it is Mr Gates' personal planner and cost a couple million to build. :-) )
Uses?
Audio, video, photo playback.
Ebook reader.
Portable reference library/encyclopedia.
GPS.
Document viewer and anotator.
E-mail, IM, and what-not.
Hotspot web surfing.
Personal planner.
Presentations.
(Come on! Its a full XP PC with a decent CPU!)
With appropriate peripherals (dock, keyboard caddy) it would literally be the only computer a lot of people would need.
Which is to say, it is good for everything current tablets are used for.
Which is a lot.
and more.
If the price point is real and the hd big enough (say 100Gb) it should sell nicely.
Even at a higher price there are a lot of vertical markets that would kill for this thing.
Just don't try to get between me and the first unit to go one sale. :-)
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04-27-2005, 01:45 AM
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Theorist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 260
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by victore
Rick,
I think to get fast boot ups, we'll all have to start using hibernation or suspend instead of actually rebooting. Let's hope that by the time this guy comes out, we won't have to reboot our devices quite as often.
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Well maybe this hard drive will answer those questions about hibernation and suspend. I see no reason that a small tablet size PC couldn't enter into a suspend mode much like PPCs with this type of hard drive in it:
Samsung hybrid hard drive works while it sleeps
http://news.com.com/Samsung+hybrid+h...3-5683836.html
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04-27-2005, 01:47 AM
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Thinker
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 481
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Felix Torres
...Just don't try to get between me and the first unit to go one sale. :-)
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I'll be happy with being someplace in the front of the line :mrgreen:
It's definately has the look of a seller. Looks slick and is just the right size not to be called 'too big'. But like Jason always mentions is that we have to take a good look at the battery life. You would think that with all the engineering involved in creating such a device we still have to be careful of something as simple to overlook as battery life.
Jeff-
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