Sunday, September 30, 2007
The Current Status of Ultra-Mobile PCs
The Ultra-Mobile PC (UMPC) is a fully functional computer running Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. The UMPC has all the functionality of Microsoft Windows XP Professional with additional functionality of the Tablet PC Future versions of the UMPC will run Windows Vista in continuation with the use of the Tablet PC features.
From a user point of view this means that there is no need of extra learning. The UMPC is portable, mobile and does anything that desktop, laptops and notebook PCs can do. Apart from accomplishing what many portable devices do today, everything you could do on large computers because it runs the full Windows XP operating system. Users work on the same operating system as well as use the same applications which were previously available only on desktop PCs, laptops and notebook computers. Beyond these features, the ultra-portable size; lower cost; inbuilt Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet Ports and support for technologies like GPS, makes the UMPC suitable to a wider range of compelling mobile PC experiences.
Some important features of the UMPC which is helping it in gradually capturing a sizeable share in the market are:
It is smaller and much lighter than traditional notebooks and laptops
It has multiple input methods, like a touch screen, stylus (write or select with a pen), input through speech, and optional Bluetooth or USB keyboard
It runs on Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 operating system
It has a competitive pricing
It has a 30 to 60 GB Hard disk drive
The Processor is either an Intel Celeron, Intel Pentium M or a VIA C7-M
It has some additional In-built features like GPS, Digital TV Tuner Card, fingerprint reader, Compact flash.
The benefits available to users are endless. Some of them are:
Connect and communicate easier, in more places, and in more scenarios.
Be productive anywhere and at any time.
Be entertained and informed wherever they go.
Experience more integrated digital entertainment experiences like music and gaming.
Sharing digital images
Mapping or following a GPS signal
Browsing the Web
Managing e-mail
Communicating in real time
Gaming
Listening to music
Controlling a television and other home electronics
Watching recorded movies and television
Watching and tracking sporting events, teams, and players
Managing finances
Managing food, recipe, and kitchen inventories
Taking notes
Conducting research
Managing schedules
Maintaining a To-Do list
Current Base Specification of a UMPC
While the exact specifications varies between Original Equipment Manufacturers’ (OEM), but the baseline specifications for UMPC are:
Screen size: 7 inches or smaller
Screen resolution: Minimum 800x480 resolution with 800x600 and 1024x600 available through video scaling technology
Weight: less than 2 lbs
Display Orientation: Landscape
Input methods: Touch screen (type or select with a finger), stylus (write or select with a pen) , hardware controls (navigate and select with buttons on the UMPC), add on Bluetooth or USB-based keyboard
Operating system: Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 (Very soon the OS on UMPC will be Windows Vista)
Network connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Ethernet
Battery life: 2.5 hours or more
Processor: Intel Celeron M, Intel Pentium M, or VIA C7-M
Storage: 30GB to 60GB hard drive
Some UMPCs may include additional built-in features such as GPS, a webcam, fingerprint reader, digital TV tuners, and compact flash and SD card readers.
Despite issues with a short battery life, In the near future Ultra-mobile PCs will eventually become essential and omnipresent as mobile phones are today.
Deals of Interest
Emerson 32" LCD HDTV with Digital Tuner, LC320EM8
Top Brand HDTVs at Walmart.com from $384
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Labels: Computers
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