Following the success of its education-focused mini PC introduced in April, HP today expanded the HP Mini family with three models of a new HP Mini 1000 line.
This array of minis – one of the widest offerings in the industry – addresses the needs of Internet-centric consumers, mobile professionals, always-on social media enthusiasts and fashion-forward women.
“Staying connected to your world – however you define it – is increasingly important to people on the go,” said Ted Clark, senior vice president and general manager, Notebook Global Business Unit, Personal Systems Group, HP. “That’s why HP is excited to address this new high-growth market with a portfolio of head-turning mini companion PCs that are fun and easy to use.”
These companion PCs provide a simplified Internet experience in a sleek, ultra-portable design. Each is less than 1-inch thick, weighs a little more than 2 pounds(1) and has a keyboard that is 92 percent the size of a standard notebook PC keyboard. All come with a BrightView widescreen Infinity display (1,024 x 600 resolution) with flush glass and LED backlight, built-in webcam and microphone.
The HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition comes in vibrant red with a peony-flower inspired design that reflects the globally acclaimed fashion designer’s Spring 2009 collection. It seeks to satisfy the highly mobile, Internet-centric fashionista and features a 10.2-inch diagonal BrightView display.
Its design was first unveiled on the runway of Tam’s Fall 2009 Fashion Week show in Battery Park in New York, although many on the scene mistook it for a purse rather than the companion PC that it is. Tam labeled it the world’s first “digital clutch.
We were one of the first to get our hands on the first netbook from HP and today they have announced the release of the next addition to that little notebook family. The HP Mini 1000 is a netbook aimed directly at the consumer in us all and has some great features that sets it apart from the crowded pack. We got to spend some quality time with the various models of the Mini 1000 and in this hands-on review we'll share what we found about what may be the thinnest and lightest netbook yet. We'll share the full deets about the Mini 1000 and cover how it compares to the predecessor, the Mini-Note. We should note that according to HP this does not replace the Mini-Note which will still be sold to the education market. The Mini 1000 is aimed at the consumer market and becomes a product line in its own right.
October 27, 2008
Ronn M. Cooney
July 18, 1937 - October 27, 2008
At 2:18 am this morning I lost a dear and wonderful friend.
His passing leaves an enormous void in the lives & hearts of everyone who knew him
Ronn was an amazing person. Everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him knows just how was warm and loving and kind and Ronn was.
It was Ronn who loaned me the equipment and taught me how to shoot the photos for the annual "List for Santa" Features on TabletPc2.com
My thoughts and condolences go out to his wife Cindy and his children Ashley and Kailey.
This summer, Oprah received a gift that she says changed her life. "It's absolutely my new favorite favorite thing in the world," she says.
Meet the Amazon Kindle™, a wireless portable reading device with instant access to more than 190,000 books, blogs, newspapers and magazines. Whether you're in bed or on the train, Kindle lets you think of a book and get it in less than a minute.
Although the Amazon Kindle costs $359, Oprah looks at it as an environmentally friendly investment. "I know it's expensive in these times, but it's not frivolous because it will pay for itself," she says. "The books are much cheaper, and you're saving paper." All books are $9.99 or less.
As a special offer for OprahShow viewers, Amazon.com is giving $50 off the price of Kindle. Enter the promotional code OPRAHWINFREY during the checkout process at Amazon.com to receive the discount. This offer is valid through November 1, 2008.
Code for $50 off the price of Kindle: OPRAHWINFREY
I've not really tried the predecessors of this sleek little thing before but was told it's really popular. Given the design and features of the Kohjinsha SX3KP06MS, I'm hardly suprised.
I'm in Dubai now but managed to run this machine to the ground recently at the Moscow airport and on the flight to Dubai. About close to 3 hours of maximum performance with everything on--Wi-Fi, DVD, etc., on the standard battery. I think you can get 4+ hours on power-saver mode. And then close to another 7 hours on balanced mode on the extended battery. For this I managed to switch off the DVD player, yes, there's a cool little switch for that, and the Wi-Fi for half the way on the plane. Call me a happy camper.
Keyboard
Although one cannot expect too much from a UMPC keyboard in terms of size and touch, I was pretty happy to clock close to my usual 100wpm, with the occasional errors when I'm using the special keys like the Alts and the tabs.
Screen
This machine boasts one of the brightest displays in the market with a swivel 8.9-inch liquid crystal display. Did I mention that it's a multitouch tablet, too?
Panasonic has updated its ToughBook range with the release of four notebooks, and a new rugged ultra-mobile PC.
The new mobile computers range from semi-rugged to fully rugged, and are aimed primarily at utilities, telecom companies and government agencies with a mobile workforce. The five new computers unveiled include two semi-rugged business notebooks, two fully rugged notebooks and one UPMC.
Panasonic has also introduced a new model to the ToughBook range with the CF-U1, a UMPC weighing 1.06kg, which shares the IP54 rating of the other fully rugged toughbooks. The CF-U1 includes a 5.4-inch LED touchscreen, hot swappable dual Li-Ion batteries, a solid state drive, Wi-Fi and an Intel Atom processor. The CF-U1 also includes a QWERTY keypad, and is available for an RRP of $3,500.
Remember Apricot? It probably depends how old you are, as though the brand has been around for years, it hasn't been available in the UK for the last ten. Well they're making a comeback in a big way with the launch of the PicoBook Pro, a new UMPC. It aims to challenge the likes of ASUS and Advent with its 60GB hard drive, 8.9 inch screen and runs in either Linux or XP.
They've bundled in WiMax support, Bluetooth and two USB ports, and though nothing they offer is especially new or exciting it's always good to have more choice on offer. The notebook features a SD card slot, as well as a 1.3 megapixel web camera.
The battery life is 4 hours which is fairly standard on UMPC's nowadays, and all in all it seems like a fairly attractive proposition. Watch this space for a detailed review.
Toshiba has suggested that it may release a commercial product using a fuel-cell for power before Christmas 2008, ahead of the company’s own March 2009 target for such a device reaching the market. In an interview with Register Hardware, Toshiba’s European General Manager for Computer Systems Marketing and Business Development, Thomas Teckentrup, revealed that it should only be “a few more months before everything comes together”.
The Japanese-inspired lifestyle brand tokidoki, brain child of Italian artist Simone Legno, is coming to a UMPC near you. One hundred units of the limited-edition tokidoki-designed Fujitsu LifeBook U2010 (pictured above) will be available in Singapore, but be prepared to pay a premium for it.
For the privilege of owning the first tokidoki Fujitsu mini-notebook, you'll have to fork out a cool S$2,088 (US$1,417.52), S$400 (US$271.55) more than the normal. If this seems a little steep
, just know that besides Singapore, only Thailand and Japan will be receiving this limited-edition piece. Moreover, the motif is not just a simple laptop sticker, but painted directly on the machine. For the fashion crowd looking for a distinctive and unique mini-tablet PC, this premium is not that high.
ASUS’ R50a UMPC might have been over-shadowed by the company’s all-encompassing Eee PC project, but that doesn’t mean the 5.6-inch touchscreen handheld has gone away. Spanish-language site Hispazone have been playing with the Menlow-based device, and come away both feeling that it’s a great improvement over the previous-generation R2H but still not entirely convincing.
Even with the built-in 3G and WiFi switched on, the R50a manages 3.5hrs from the battery; it also has GPS, and Microsoft’s latest Origami 2.0 GUI. Less impressive is the absence of microSDHC support.
In the end, though, it’s the price that causes the most concern. As Hispazone put it, for the roughly €1,000 ($1,357) you’ll be paying for the R50a you could pick up a couple of ASUS’ own Eee PC netbooks, which could certainly match the UMPC for internet use. Then with the cash left over you could get a 3G modem to match the R50a’s integrated data. It’s facts like these which are likely to keep the R50a - and perhaps UMPCs in general - a very niche product.
Taiwan's Asustek Computer Inc. is doing very well. Why? The company behind the Eee PC is seeing strong sales. Chief Executive Jerry Shen said the company is expecting revenue will grow 26 percent to $834.3 million in September, with the prospects for October and November even brighter.
According to the AP, on Tuesday, Asustek unveiled a new Eee PC model, the S101, aimed at Christmas shoppers in Europe and the United States that costs $699.
The new machine boasts an ultra-thin, ultra-light style. It weighs only 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram) and is a half-inch (1.8 centimeters) thick.
This reminds me of last May, when Palm released the Foleo and I said no one wanted it. Turns out I (and others) was/were right and Palm later discontinued the product. They were going to come out with a newer version - I suggested it be a UMPC. As recently as last October there was confirmation (I take this with a grain of salt) of a Foleo 2 coming out but since then I haven't heard anything.
One wonders what would have happened if Palm did really create a compelling ultra mobile computer - it could save the company and by the looks of things, it badly needs saving.
Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the independent world leader in memory products, today announced it is shipping its high capacity 32GB DataTraveler 150 (DT150) USB Flash drive. The DT150 offers the largest capacity in Kingston’s entire line of DataTraveler® USB drives and allows users to conveniently combine work-related content and personal digital content on the same drive with plenty of room to spare. Users can now transport and share entire libraries of music, photos, large business documents, and even video without ever having to change USB drives or search other portable storage devices containing specific content.
“The new DataTraveler 150 has broken through storage barriers by allowing users to store all their digital files ― business or personal ― all under one roof,” said Mark Akoubian, Flash business manager, Kingston®. “As file sizes increase especially with content such as music and photos, the need for small form factor storage drives with high capacities will continue to go up. The DT 150 certainly addresses those needs today.”
With good, serviceable laptop computers costing between $700 and $1,000, why spend about $1,300 for Samsung Electronics' Q1-UP01? Well, it's not because the Samsung unit has a poetic moniker.
Instead, it's because the Q1, as I'll call it here, is an Ultra-Mobile PC, a 7-inch display wonder that will improve your mobile computing experience. Unless you like lifting weights, having a full-powered PC in a 2-pound package is a nice relief.
The computer - available mostly via mail order - is available with Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system; my test unit arrived with the Tablet version of Windows XP installed. It sports a 1.33 GHz Intel single-core processor, 1 GB of RAM, and an 80-GB hard disk drive. The display offers 1024 by 600 pixel resolution, which is rather clear and sharp in use.
There are three possible keyboards for the Samsung Q1. The first is built into the sides framing the display: If you use a BlackBerry or other communicator, you (and your thumbs) will feel at home typing with this. The second is an on-screen keyboard that works with the Tablet version of Windows.
As promised after last week’s unboxing gallery, we’re starting to see the first reviews of BenQ’s S6 Mobile Internet Device come through from its new Italian owners. UMPC Portal have adopted one particular Italian called Alberto, who has been giving his thoughts on how the S6 holds up as an internet device, an ebook reader and a media player.
Even non-fans of netbooks have to agree: these little notebooks are becoming more hackalicious by the day. Take the above homebrew UMPC for example. The creator cobbled this together with an Acer Aspire One and a touchscreen kit for a small but usuable slatebook. It looks like the touch display is grafted right into the AAO's cover so you can access it from the outside. A version of Ubuntu completes the device, which might actually be the first Intel Atom-based slate UMPC I've ever seen.
I don't see a mass market for a device in this form factor as demand seems to be non-existent declining these days, but hey: if there isn't a product that you like out there and you've got the know-how, make it yourself! For more visuals of the FrankenUMPC bits, be sure to check out todoumpc.
They're extremely easy to tote. Mini-notebooks only weigh 2 to 3 pounds, and they're small. For example, the Acer Aspire One measures 9.8 by 6.7 by 1.14 inches, about the size of a standard hardcover book.
Because they're petite, mini-notebooks can travel with you more often and go more places than a conventional laptop. In San Francisco, I sometimes carry a small Tumi tote around town. My The Acer Aspire One I've been testing fits easily into the bag along with car keys, wallet, sunglasses, pens, notepad, and my Apple iPhone. I barely notice I'm carrying a computer. Yet in a few otherwise idle moments away from the office, I can tap out a quick e-mail or get some work done.
They're fully functioning computers. Though not designed to be powerful computers, most mini-notebooks offer standard features found in conventional laptops, such as multiple USB 2.0 ports, a Secure Digital card slot, a VGA-out port, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and a Webcam. They're the first affordable, ultra-compact devices to offer a fully functional PC complete with physical keyboard in a form factor that's easy for most people to afford, carry, and use.
BenQ Corp. has revised its mobile-product strategy to shift emphasis to mobile Internet device (MID) from generic mobile phone since it ended investment in BenQ Mobile, which transformed from Siemens AG`s mobile-phone asset it acquired, a year ago because of immense operation loss.
The first fortune of the company`s strategy restructuring comes from Telecom Italian Mobile (TIM), which has ordered an estimated 200,000 MIDs from BenQ. This is the first case worldwide that a telecom-service provider supports MIDs. Intel has also thrown its weight behind this deal since BenQ builds its Atom processor into the devices.
The company has stopped selling BenQ-branded mobile phones outside of Taiwan. Overseas, the company will seek cooperation with telecom-service providers to promote its MIDs.
Forward Concept, an organization tracking mobile market, forecasts global shipments of MID to shoot up to 40 million systems in 2012 from an estimated 305,000 systems throughout this year. ABI Research estimates demands for mobile Internet equipment to top 90 million systems in 2012, with MID leading the way.
If you can't beat them--well, you know the rest. LG wants is taking its shot at the UMPC market with the oddly named X110 Momo.
The recently announced netbook offers some familiar specs, including a 1.6-GHz Atom processor, Windows XP Home Basic, a 1.3-megapixel webcam, optional Bluetooth, and an SD card reader. The 10-inch PC will be available in black, silver, and pink.
LG has no release date (save for a big red "Coming Soon") or price for the Momo yet, but it does have a product page, which puts at least puts the netbook in the realm of "probably real."
Not just your average sat nav unit, the ClarionMiND is described as a ‘next -generation mobile device’, despite looking suspiciously like a slight twist on the very last generation UMPC.
Still, it’s not a bad little thing, packing in the ubiquitous Atom processor, a 4.8-inch screen, 4GB SSD, 512MB of RAM and Wi-Fi/3G/Bluetooth 2.0+ connectivity for all your handheld essentials.
It’s good for media playback, web browsing (with its flash-friendly Firefox browser) and email, as well as offering applications for YouTube and MySpace. Everything you need in a motorway service station car park in fact.
Once back on the open road, you can hook it up on the windscreen to take advantage of the SiRFstarIII GPS and real-time traffic support.
From a virtual "standing start" of just 10 million units in 2008, shipments of ultra-mobile devices (UMDs — the umbrella term for ultra-mobile PCs, netbooks and Mobile Internet Devices) are expected to exceed 200 million in 2013.
According to ABI Research principal analyst Philip Solis, "The UMD market will still be small compared to the wireless handset market, but with a forecast revenue of nearly US$27B in 2013, it will certainly be significant."
While netbooks account for about 90% of today's UMD market, they will fall to a distant second place by 2013, while MID (Mobile Internet Device) shipments surge ahead to take nearly 68% of the market, with Ultra-mobile PCs (UMPCs) remaining a niche category.
To put the UMD market forecasts into perspective, the 2013 estimate of 200 million shipped devices is roughly the anticipated size of the worldwide laptop PC market.
"As this market enters its rapid growth phase and starts to evolve," Solis continues, "we will see considerable experimentation with different distribution channels: some will sell direct from the manufacturer, some via retail outlets, and some through mobile operators who will subsidize them to encourage new data plan subscriptions."
A new study from ABI Research, "Mobile Internet Devices and UMPCs" analyzes the drivers and barriers for UMDs across the ecosystem. It examines the issues that will shape this market, including the contest between x86-based processors and ARM-based processors, distribution and subsidization, device definitions, and the effect of cellular voice-enabled MIDs. It includes detailed, segmented market forecasts through 2013.
Another Monday morning, yet another week kicked off by news from the ever-expanding world of the Netbook. However, breaking from the incessant stream of freshly-announced portable computers, Toshiba Corp. has revealed new additions to its NAND solid state drive portfolio that will see Netbooks imbued with small-form Flash Modules of 8GBs, 16GBs and 32GBs.
When a PC is turned on or "boots up" chances are good that the start-up routine uses software developed by Phoenix Technologies of Milpitas. The 500-person company, which played a key role in catalyzing the development of PC clones in the 1980s, has had its ups and downs over the last two decades. Now it hopes to endear itself to the PC community with a new, quick-start routine for ultra-mobile PCs.
Ultra-mobiles are a new category of light-weight, low-cost laptops such as the Asus EEE-PC, the HP Mini and the Oqo PC. These tiny PCs, which compete in function with web-capable smart phones, operate under one huge disadvantage -- they take forever to boot up, said Phoenix chief executive Woody Hobbs.
Last year ago Phoenix started working on a jumpstart routine that it calls HyperSpace that performs a quick, partial boot that allows ultra-mobile PCs to perform tasks like browsing the web or checking e-mail. "Think of it as a smart phone in your PC," Hobbs said.
Wait a minute! Do not buy anything yet! Do you know that you can win an UMPC just by participating in this contest? All you have to do is send them an article about UMPCs and if you win you will get one of the two UMPC that they are giving away to the first two winners. And yes, it does not matter if you don’t speak Spanish. You can send your article in English too!
Toshiba on Thursday introduced a 250-GB, 1.8-inch hard disk drive for manufacturers building ultraportable notebooks and consumer electronics.
The Serial ATA HDD is the largest capacity drive in the industry within the 1.8-inch form factor, according to Toshiba. Such drives are built for use in portable media players, camcorders, and smaller lightweight notebooks that fall into the ultraportable category.
The latest drives have an areal density of 378.8 Gb-per-square-inch and have an energy consumption efficiency of 0.0016 watts-per-GB. The use of the SATA 3.0-Gbps interface, as well as the higher disk speed, makes the drives an option for any mobile PC, Toshiba said. The vast majority of mobile HDD shipments in the second quarter of this year were SATA.
-Nova Mobility Solutions, Inc., (OTCBB:OCTI) a leading mobile computer provider, today announced the launch of a revolutionary line of industrial UMPCdevices equaling notebook functionality, the SideArm2 (SA2) series, the first of which, an industrial grade device (the SA2I) will be made available to the global market by November 2008.
From the front line to the front office, the Nova SideArm2 series sets the standard for what a UMPC should be regardless of environment or application, providing heavy industrial users and devout tech addicts alike with features and functionality necessary for a true 24/7 mobile experience.
At less than 2 pounds, the SA2I mobile computer allows mobile users to easily carry a device all day in the field or in-facility and still have full productivity to get the job done. In combination with Intel's Atom platform, the SA2 is able to achieve 10+ hours of battery life that provides an all day, instant-on, always available computing experience.
Encased in magnesium, sealed and drop tested for rugged use, Nova’s compact 7.6”x7.7”x 1” form factor with its combination 7” daylight readable touch screen and full qwerty keyboard offers the communications and technological tools necessary for business efficiency and mobile multimedia regardless of the environment.
The original SideArm was the world’s first rugged UMPC and has been sold for over 7 years to a wide range of end users including Fortune 500 companies. NOVA has created the SideArm2 in response to what global customers are now demanding from mobile computing – lightweight, long battery life, full operating systems along with combined touch screen and keyboard input. The SideArm2 is made for users who require the portability of a UMPC and the capabilities of a notebook computer.
UMPCs. This category covers devices that meet certain physical criteria but nobody knows what that is. Not having a clear definition of what makes a UMPC a UMPC has hurt the perception of how handheld devices can help the consumer no question. This year we have seen more devices with keyboards, something we still feel hurts the usability of a mobile device like the UMPC. UMPCs are toys for geeks as they still have not broken into the mainstream consciousness and are not available in big box stores. This is likely because they are priced way too high for toys. In spite of a continual cry by the public Apple is remaining out of this category and that's not likely to change any time soon.
JK score: Mostly PASS. As our prediction stated:
This will continue to be a very unclear genre in 2008. The term has been applied to everything from the Vista-running Origami class devices to Linux notebooks and PDAs and that confusion will continue to keep the OEMs from focusing on a clear ultra-mobile PC. In the Origami camp I expect we will continue to see devices that are considerable smaller than the 7-inch original reference design and this will prevent mainstream adoption as these devices will virtually all have keyboards that are too small to be genuinely useful. We can expect to see more devices emerge with sub-5-inch displays that strive for ultra-portability but still are not pocketable, something that mainstream consumers will likely expect. We'll start to see Intel MIDs appear that will be cheaper and more battery-friendly than current devices which will be a welcome addition. Dell's addition of a capacitive digitizer such as that found in the iPhone could have a big impact in the UMPC space if OEMs start producing UMPCs with multi-touch ability. That could be a game changer in the UMPC space and will be great to see if that happens in 2008. Otherwise UMPCs running Windows will continue to be the fodder for geeks and mainstream consumers will stay away in the same numbers they stayed away in 2007. We may see a major OEM introduce a device in 2008 with a new usage technology that shakes up this genre. No, it won't be Apple with a Newton device. I hope I am wrong about this but I do not believe Apple will introduce a mini-Tablet as has been rumored recently
It’s been almost two months since Fujitsu’s U820 UMPC (aka U2010) cleared the FCC, and it’s still yet to show up for sale in the US. Now at least a small sign of the compact touchscreen convertible has turned up, in the support section of Fujitsu’s US site.
The U820 is referred to as an option in the drop-down model selection list, and there’s already a BIOS update - dated July 31st - available for it. The other links seen in the screenshot take you to the U810 page, so no new information there.
The general specs of the U820 are believed to be an Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor, 5.6-inch WXGA 1280 x 800 touchscreen and of course a QWERTY keyboard. Other details - such as storage, use of hard-drive or SSD, RAM amount and wireless options - vary according to country, and there’s no telling what Fujitsu USA will decide to put on offer.
From a virtual "standing start" of just 10 million units in 2008, shipments of ultra-mobile devices (UMDs -- the umbrella term for ultra-mobile PCs, netbooks and Mobile Internet Devices) are expected to exceed 200 million in 2013.
According to ABI Research principal analyst Philip Solis, "The UMD market will still be small compared to the wireless handset market, but with a forecast revenue of nearly US$27 billion in 2013, it will certainly be significant."
While netbooks account for about 90% of today's UMD market, they will fall to a distant second place by 2013, while MID (Mobile Internet Device) shipments surge ahead to take nearly 68% of the market, with Ultra-mobile PCs (UMPCs) remaining a niche category.
To put the UMD market forecasts into perspective, the 2013 estimate of 200 million shipped devices is roughly the anticipated size of the worldwide laptop PC market.
A new study from ABI Research, "Mobile Internet Devices and UMPCs" ( http://www.abiresearch.com/products/market_research/Mobile_Internet_ Devices_and_UMPCs) analyzes the drivers and barriers for UMDs across the ecosystem. It examines the issues that will shape this market, including the contest between x86-based processors and ARM-based processors, distribution and subsidization, device definitions, and the effect of cellular voice-enabled MIDs. It includes detailed, segmented market forecasts through 2013.
Netbooks, Netbooks and more Netbooks, evidently the world just can’t get enough of them. And, considering that budget-priced, ultra-mobile PC systems (UMPCs) are helping the tech industry dodge economic market dips, is it remotely surprising to see both Samsung and Packard-Bell offering up their takes on the Netbook phenomenon?
First up is Samsung’s new NC10, a predictably small, lightweight and “incredibly functional” Netbook that Samsung describes as a “stylish alternative” to devices already available in the space.
As with the Samsung NC10, the ‘dot’ is packed with a hefty 160GB hard drive and also a six-cell battery, which should combine to see Packard-Bell’s Netbook entry sitting at the more ‘upper tier’ end of the UMPC hardware line -- if that isn’t something of a misnomer.
And the price? Expected to launch this coming October, the Samsung NC10 is likely to be attached to a price tag of around £329 GBP (approx. $600 USD).
Don’t look now, but while tech manufacturers galore continue pumping out as many UMPC systems as they can before CERN’s Large Hadron Collider destroys the planet, computer giant Lenovo’s newest ThinkPad entrants suggest there’s plenty of life left in traditional notebook hardware regardless of any impeding doom.
Specifically, Lenovo Group has whipped the covers off its new ThinkPad X200 and X200s notebooks, which the Beijing-based company is lauding as more lightweight than previous ThinkPad iterations while also delivering enhanced operational longevity.
In the last few weeks, I've received several inquiries about the annual CES Tablet PC & UMPC Gathering. Correct, it'll still be actually at CES in January and it's only September. However, the feedback continues to be so positive and long lasting that people are already looking forward to the event! I'm pleased that it's continued to be so successful.
The industry is advancing and I want to make sure that the product interests represented are forward looking. Yes, I'm sure there will be plenty of Windows 7 chatter and hardware comparisons. A couple years ago we expanded the gathering to include mini-Tablet PCs more commonly known as UMPCs. Last year people interested in MIDs attended. My observation is that the common connection is an interest in natural input. Do you agree?
Samsung is the latest to join the UMPC/netbook party with the NC10, though it's wrapping its tiny notebook with PR spin that it's "a stylish alternative to existing products in the space." There's a 10.2-inch/1024 x 600-pixel screen, Atom processor, 8-hour battery life, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, memory card reader, and 80GB or 160GB HDD. Its "normal" sized keyboard is even sprinkled with nano silver particles to keep bacteria at bay. It's due to hit the shops in October (in the UK at least) with pricing up to $US590. Oh, and that "stylish" thing? It's probably 'cause it looks really shiny.
From the front line to the front office, the Nova SideArm2 series sets the standard for what a UMPC should be regardless of environment or application, providing heavy industrial users and devout tech addicts alike with features and functionality necessary for a true 24/7 mobile experience.
The original SideArm was the world’s first rugged UMPC and has been sold for over 7 years to a wide range of end users including Fortune 500 companies. NOVA has created the SideArm2 in response to what global customers are now demanding from mobile computing – lightweight, long battery life, full operating systems along with combined touch screen and keyboard input. The SideArm2 is made for users who require the portability of a UMPC and the capabilities of a notebook computer.
“The term netbook was re-introduced by Intel in February 2008 to describe a category of small-sized, low-cost, light weight, lean function subnotebooks optimized for Internet access and core computing functions (e.g., word processing) — either directly from applications installed on the netbook itself or indirectly, via cloud computing. More than 50 million Netbooks are expected to be in widespread circulation by 2011. Netbooks (or sub-notebooks as they may be known) typically come with an 7-inch to 10-inch screen“
According to Wiki a UMPC is,
“In personal computers, Ultra-Mobile PC (often abbreviated UMPC) is a small form factor (a standard size and shape) for tablet PCs, which was developed as Project Origami. This project is a joint development exercise by Microsoft, Intel, and Samsung, among others. Intel is also responsible for the Mobile Internet Device, a variation on the UMPC concept. Recently, the term has gained a second meaning as a synonym for subnotebook or netbook.”
To me the choice is clear. Netbooks cost 1/2 to 1/3 the price of UMPCs, offer better keyboards in general, plenty of features and decent performance.
A new generation of the devices, sometimes called ultra-mobile personal computers, or UMPCs, is scheduled to hit stores this fall and has some consumers salivating.
"It's been proven over and over and over again that the world doesn't want such a device," said Bob O'Donnell, an analyst at technology research firm IDC. "I see no reason why that's changed."
But backers of the new devices, like Intel, say they'll find a mass market among consumers who are used to using the Internet for entertainment or to connect with friends and who increasingly expect to do that while away from their desktop computers.
"The market potential is huge," said Pankaj Kedia, who is helping to organize the company's handheld-computing effort.
If you’re looking for something smaller than a notebook or Tablet PC and yet powerful enough to get your tasks done while on the go or in tight quarters, consider a UMPC. Illustration of an ultra-mobile PCJust like other mobile PCs, UMPCs run the full version of Windows and any other Windows-compatible software. It’s a great choice for anyone who needs something compact and practically feather-light. UMPCs range from 1 to 2 pounds. The screen size is 7 inches and smaller. UMPCs with Windows Vista come with Origami Experience, which gives you easy access to your music, videos, pictures, and programs.You can use a tablet pen or your finger to interact with a UMPC. You can carry this paperback-sized mobile PC effortlessly in one hand while using the other hand to quickly jot down notes, fill out forms, read and write e-mail messages, surf the Internet, and more.For more information about UMPCs with Origami Experience, see the Ultra-Mobile PC with Origami Experience website
The Ultra-Mobile PC is portable, lightweight, and configured to connect on the go. It’s the device that you’ll always want with you.
Do everything
Featuring full Microsoft Windows XP functionality and the ability to touch, write, or type, the Ultra-Mobile PC is a powerful companion that lets you communicate, accomplish your tasks, and stay entertained and informed wherever life takes you.
An Ultra Mobile PC is a new category of mobile devices optimized for specific usage models such as Internet-to-go, Entertainment-to-go, and Education-to-go, while providing full PC capability and versatility. UMPC devices are expected to be small enough so they are easy to carry, deliver long battery life so you can access information for extended periods of time, have multiple wireless options so you can be connected anytime, and are location aware so it can adapt to your personal needs.
You can access your favorite online games, videos, music, TV shows and more on the go, with the quality you are used to when you are in front of your PC. The UMPC also connects you to people via email, VoIP, Instant Messaging and texting. Additionally, the UMPC platforms are expected to have GPS capabilities which allow it to recognize your whereabouts and provide you with local information.
poetic moniker. 
more hackalicious by the day. Take the above homebrew UMPC for example. The creator 
nobody knows what that is. Not having a clear definition of what makes a UMPC a UMPC has hurt the perception of how handheld devices can help the consumer no question. This year we have seen more devices with keyboards, something we still feel hurts the usability of a mobile device like the UMPC. UMPCs are toys for geeks as they still have not broken into the mainstream consciousness and are not available in big box stores. This is likely because they are priced way too high for toys. In spite of a continual cry by the public Apple is remaining out of this category and that's not likely to change any time soon.
