UMPCs

UMPC vs. MID: What's in a name?

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 06:59:53 -0500

What's a UMPC? What's an MID? Seems like we've been hearing the terms being used almost interchangeably lately to describe very similar-looking handheld devices. Is there a difference between the two? Turns out there is. Engadget asked Dan Monahan, Intel's Global Internet Segment Manager of Ultra Mobility about the two acronyms and he was more than happy to help separate the wheat from the chaff. As it turns out, the UMPC (Ultra Mobile PC) is an enterprise-worthy device, runs a full desktop-class OS and is optimized for using productivity applications. The MID (Mobile Internet Device) on the other hand, is a consumer gadget, runs a "lightweight" OS like Linux and is optimized for quick startup, media applications and web surfing. Moving forward, Intel plans to classify Moorestown-based devices as MIDs, in contrast to Menlow-based UMPCs.

For more on UMPCs vs. MIDs:
- see this Engadget article

Asus announces WiMAX Eee PC

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 06:59:57 -0500

Just when you thought that Asus' tiny Eee PC couldn't get any better, they go and announce that they're bringing WiMAX to the little bugger. You heard that right: at a joint press conference with Intel and Sprint today, Asus announced their commitment to 4G WiMAX networks, vowing to sell WiMAX-enabled laptops in the U.S. this year. According to Asus chairman Jonny Shih, the company will debut WiMAX-enabled, entry-level notebooks starting at $999. And what of the WiMAX Eee? No word on pricing or availability, though Shih reassured the crowd that it would arrive at "an attractive MSRP". Additionally, the company will release 7, 8 and 8.9 inch models of the Eee this year, as well as Eees with pre-installed Windows XP. All in all, a good haul for Eee fans.

In other XOHM WiMAX news, San Francisco-based OQO showed off a new version of their Ultra Personal Computer (UPC) which was also up and running on Sprint's demo XOHM network. No word yet on pricing or availability for this one either, though I would guess that sometime during Q2 is likely. Between the Eee PC, the OQO and the slew of Menlow-based UMPCs that are slated to arrive next quarter, Sprint's XOHM certainly looks poised to kick off with a bang. Given the sort of initial WiMAX devices that we're seeing, however, the adoption rate of WiMAX could have less to do with the network and more to do with the consumer's willingness to adapt to a new type of device.

For more on WiMAX devices:
- see this Engadget article on the Asus announcement
- and this one on the OQO UPC

Intel shows off Menlow-based UMPCs

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 06:59:59 -0500

This time last year, we were hearing a lot of noise from Intel about UMPCs. Well, 2007 didn't quite turn out to be the year of the UMPC but based on what we're seeing, 2008 could be the year that the half-tablet, half-laptop portables finally start to look a little more appealing. Intel has been showing off quite a few concept devices based on its "Menlow" mobile Linux specification and we'll be darned if they don't look quite delectable. Engadget got their hands on UMPCs from Lenovo and Aigo that are both currently available in China and as the Menlow spec hinted, they appear to sport 3G, WiMAX and WiFi. It will probably be a while before we start seeing Menlow-based UMPCs here in the States but with WiMAX set to arrive this year, 2008 could be the year that such devices start to trickle into the marketplace.

For more on Menlow UMPCs:
- check out Engadget's hands-on videos
- and Gizmodo's photo spread

3G, WiMAX coming to Intel-based UMPCs

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 06:59:59 -0400

We haven't heard much on the UMPC front lately but it looks like Intel, the world's foremost UMPC evangelist, is getting ready to step its game up in the portable chipset department. The company just announced that its upcoming Menlow chipset, which is designed for UMPCs running either Linux or Windows, will boast embedded support for both WiMAX and 3G Internet, in addition to WiFi. Of course, it will be up to device manufacturers to incorporate these technologies into the hardware that they build, though it's hard to imagine that vendors would choose not to add next-gen connectivity to their devices when its already built-into the chipset. Intel plans to ship the new Menlow platform in early 2008, which means that devices based on the new architecture should start popping up during the second half of the year.

For more on the new version of Menlow:
- see this Infoworld article

Packard Bell preps UMPC for the U.K.

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 06:59:59 -0400

Packard Bell hasn't been making many headlines lately--unless, of course, you count the recent news that the company has been acquired by Gateway, who, in turn, will be acquired by Acer--but it looks like the vendor might be looking to change that, at least in the United Kingdom. What we have here is the company's forthcoming EasyNote XS, though despite the moniker, excess doesn't seem to be the name of the game. This little guy will sport Windows XP, a VGA webcam, WiFi, a 4-in-1 card reader, 30GB hard drive and a respectable 1GB of RAM when it ships later this year in the U.K. Even better, it looks like it will weigh in at 2 pounds, while measuring a scant 1.2 inches thick. Packard Bell claims that the unit "has all the functionalities of a notebook" and can survive for 3 hours on its standard battery with the WiFi turned on. No word yet on pricing, though hopefully we'll know soon enough.

For more on the EasyNote XS:
- see this article from Pocket-lint

Rumor: No $200 Asus Eee PC for U.S.A.

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 06:59:53 -0400

Asus' Eee PC may have been delayed but don't worry, it hasn't changed since you last saw it ... well not much, anyway. The machine is a still tiny, flashed-based wonder with a ridiculous name but one small detail may have changed: the price. According to a poster on an Eee PC forum (there's such a thing?) claiming to be a high-level manager at Asus, the company will ship three models in the U.S. in late September: a $269-$299 model with a 7-inch display, 2GB of storage, 4 or 6-cell battery, 512MB of RAM and WiFi and a $369-399 model with the same specs save for 4GB of storage. And what of that previously discussed $200 model with 4GB of storage space? Turns out that one won't be making it's way to these United States, at least according to the forum poster. As Internet messageboards aren't known to be bastions of truth and justice, I'd take this one with a healthy dose of salt, at least until we receive the official word from the folks at Asus.

For more on the Eee PC rumors:
- see this Engadget article