Intel's Ultra Mobile PC shipping this quarter?

TG Daily is reporting that Intel’s Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) platform is set to launch before April, or about 6-months (at least!) ahead of schedule. Yeah, we know it’s difficult to recall the UMPC amongst the clutter of Intel’s Core Duo and Viiv chatter. So just picture the OQO while drifting back to the 2005 IDF when Intel announced those bigger-than-your-pocket yet too-small-to-be-your-primary computers. TG Daily says Samsung, Asus and Founder will deliver the first UMPCs throwing down high-speed wireless (think EV-DO or HSDPA, not WiMax), GPS, and up to one week of standby time. Windows Vista-based UMPCs from LGE, Acer and Averatec will arrive sometime in the “second half” (read: December) of 2006. However, instead of sporting new ultra-low power Intel chips like originally announced, “sources” claim at least the first generation of products will run on a proven platform such as the Pentium M. If true, that certainly helps explain the early release, however, these devices aren't likely to flaunt the 8-hours of continuous battery-powered operation longed for by the untethered clock-puncher.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 7th 2006 10:23AM]

It's Intel news! Doesn't that mean we should automatically assign it as an Apple rumor? :P Either way, this plays into the recent pattens we've seen filed by Apple recently.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 7th 2006 1:24PM]

I'm very excited to see more manufacturers getting involved in the Handtop PC market but I won't buy until they come up with something that will last at least 8-9 hours. Battery life is very important for a computer that size.
Here is a nice web site that discusses these mini computers: http://www.MiniPCs.com

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 7th 2006 3:08PM]

give it a phone chip and bluetooth and i'd be game (just keep it in a bag within 30 feet at all times and you can use headgear for the phone)

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 7th 2006 7:47PM]

This looks quite interesting. There are several times when I wanted to use my Toshiba m200 TabletPC, but it was too large and heavy, and my Loox720 just wasn't quite big enough or speedy enough to accomplish what I wanted.

SO... I will certainly be keeping my eye on these offerings.

I'm assuming it will have some sort of active-digitizer / Wacom screen interface? What about SD/CF/PCMCIA slots or fingerprint reader?

I'm also curious why no 802.11? This seems like something most would want?

I see my uses being mostly in a "work" setting. Taking digital handwritten notes during meetings, limited MSOffice usage, displaying schematics / datasheets in PDF format while in the lab, checking email, checking Engadget (every hour ;-> ). If battery life is decent, then maybe for iTunes (video and music) while traveling or during lunch.

$500 price point would drive down PDA costs sufficiently and probably even put some pressure on the TabletPC cost? Just wait for the Italian Leather portfolio case for your new UltraMobilePC. ;-)

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 2nd 2006 12:02PM]

Perfect bathroom RSS reader. YES!

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 2nd 2006 12:59PM]

How am i going to play starcraft on this thing? i need a keyboard. something sliding aka oqo. come on people think about the users needs here!!! moving hydra around with a pen sucks.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 3rd 2006 3:35AM]

Didn't Sony come out with one of these awhile ago. I know I saw the U750 almost 3 years ago in Japan. Link to specs:

http://jkontherun.blogs.com/jkontherun/2004/12/sony_u750p_avai.html

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 7th 2006 8:58PM]

check http://www.umpcfun.com

They seem to be selling UMPC's as soon as next thursday?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 9th 2006 10:28AM]

Get a rugged case and every Ambulance and Fire Fighting vehicle in the country will have one. This is the device field workers have been waiting on.