Bill O'Brien
This classification appears to cover ASUS Eee PC 901, Acer's Aspire One, HP's 2133 Mininote, MSI's Wind, and others. This genre moves the bar up to an 8.9-inch or even a 10-inch screen, has a cover just like a portable, and, while the keyboard isn't full size (even by portable definitions), at least you can prop it on your lap while you type with both hands.
According to Intel, the ASUS R2H, Samsung Q1 Ultra, and the TabletKiosk eo* i7210 UMPC device are prime examples of MIDs. (You might see the inherent problem in recommending a UMPC as a MID device. It doesn't exactly clarify the platform.) The general consensus about MIDs is that, no matter how much media chatter they seem to be accruing, they are too loosely defined at this point to be much of a challenge.
Because the only real distinction right now seems to be that if they're Windows-based you call them UMPCs, but they're MIDs if they run Linux, they are doing an excellent job of muddying the water.
Included among the might-have-beens and wannabe UMPCs, we've uncovered some honest-to-specification (well, mostly) UMPC devices for your consideration. While some are from companies you know, ASUS, Gigabyte, and Samsung among them, names such as Amtek, OQO, Roan Digital, Vye, and WiBrain may be new to you.
Familiar name or not, they each, to a certain degree, represent a still-evolving product. They are also precursors of the next wave of PCs and, even if you don't intend to rush out and buy one, you really need to give them some attention.
As always, stats and specs are gleaned from the individual manufacturer's Web site. That means some things should probably be taken with a grain of salt. (Pssst: battery times where noted; some manufacturers haven't given a hint)
Notebook Ultra Mobile PCs
13. ASUS Eee PC 901
Processor: 1.6 GHz Intel Atom
Chipset: Intel 945GMS
Memory: 1 GB
Hard Drive: 12 GB or 20-GB SSD
Graphics: Intel 945GMS
Screen Size & Resolution: 8.9-inch 1024x600
Size: 8.9 x 6.7 x 1.3 inches, 2.6 lb.
Run Time: 8 hours
Operating System: Windows/ Linux
Web Site
You'd have to be living in a cave, high on a mountain, to not be aware of ASUS' Eee PC line-up. The variety of models is almost as diverse as pollen at this point. While the Eee PC 8G and 4G (as well as their associated "Surf" variants) are probably closer relatives to UMPCs, focus seems to have shifted to the Eee PC 901 with its larger screen, for no better reason than because it's new. All right. At 2.2 pounds, the Eee PC 901 isn't a bantamweight contender. It runs Linux and supports a native 1024x600 resolution on its 8.9-inch display. If you order the Windows version, you get 4-GB and 8-GB SSDs, for a total of 12 GB of storage. The Linux model carries both 4-GB and 16-GB SSDs. Asus claims "up to" 8 hours of battery life.
14. Acer Aspire One
Processor: 1.6 GHz Intel Atom
Chipset: Intel 945GMS
Memory: 512 MB
Hard Drive: 8-GB SSD or 80-GB HD
Graphics: Intel 945GMS
Screen Size & Resolution: 8.9-inch 1024x600
Size: 9.8 x 6.7 x 1.2 inches, 2.17 lb.
Run Time: not listed
Operating System: Linpus Linux Lite
Web Site
The Aspire One is scheduled to appear in a store near you (and online as well) shortly. Aside from the expected barrage of color (sapphire blue, seashell white, golden brown, and coral pink), you'll find an 8.9-inch screen, QWERTY keyboard (still not full-sized), your choice of Windows or Linux, and either an 8-GB SSD or an 80-GB mechanical hard drive.
15. Fujitsu Lifebook U810
Processor: 800 MHz Intel UMP A110
Chipset: Intel 945GMS
Memory: 1 GB
Hard Drive: 40 GB or 60 GB
Graphics: Intel 945GMS
Screen Size & Resolution: 5.6-inch 1024x600
Size: 6 x 6.7 x 1 inches, 1.5 lb.
Run Time: 5.5 hours
Operating System: Windows
Web Site
Part tablet, part PC, Fujitsu says its Lifebook U810 is a "mini-notebook." But weighing in at 1.56 pounds and powered by an Intel UMP A110 processor, this fits-in-your-pocket device has "notebook UMPC" pasted all over it. There's a miniature QWERTY keyboard, an optional 5200mAH battery that nets you 5.5 hours of run time, and a choice of 40-GB or 60-GB hard drives.
16. HP 2133 Mininote
Processor: 1.6 GHz VIA C7M NaNo
Chipset: VIA CN896NB and 8237S
Memory: 1 GB (Linux) or 2 GB (Windows)
Hard Drive: 120 GB
Graphics: VIA Chrome
Screen Size & Resolution: 8.9-inch 1280x768
Size: 1.05 x 10.04 x 6.5 inches, 3.2 lb. (with 6-cell battery)
Run Time: not listed
Operating System: Windows/ Linux
Web Site
Two-and-a-half pounds is a bit porky for a UMPC, but as a notebook UMPC it slides in well under the usual 4-pound boundary set for "ultra light" laptops. (Give them a few weeks. Someone will come up with another name.) That's the weight claim for HP's 2133 Mininote equipped with the three-cell battery pack. (The six-cell pack will net you 4.5 hours of use.) But you'll probably be happy lugging the 2133 Mininote around just for its 2 GB of memory and the 7200rpm 120-GB hard drive. These are decidedly upscale, non-notebook, style options. And an 8.9-inch WXGA screen is no slouch either.
See original article on InformationWeek
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