Hands-on with Intel's UMPC prototype

Intel showed off its vision of the ultramobile portable computer today, and CNET got a good look at the mini-tablet, which has a 7-inch display, runs Windows XP Tablet PC Edition and offers full internet connectivity. While the devices -- which CNET referred to as "Origami-like" -- are fully functional, they're clearly prototypes: battery life is limited to a paltry 15 minutes. However, Intel execs said that early production models should have three-hour batteries and retail for under $1,000, while versions with all-day batteries and lower price tags (including that $500 sweet spot) should be available next year. According to CNET, versions of the UMPC will ship "in the next few weeks," so if you want to get your hands on one, you may not have to wait too much longer.

[BrokenForum Posted Mar 7th 2006 6:15PM]

Forget waiting for Microsoft to make a crappy or great device here. Microsoft wont be making the devices. It's like saying look at the crappy/great laptops made by microsoft. Hello! microsoft doesn't build laptops. Microsofts only contribution is likely to be some tablet PC software enhancements for XP/Vista. Whoopeee!

As far as an actual tablet that is too big to be pocketable and too small to usefull. WTF?? I'll be looking for some smart company to build a small inexpensive sub notebook. The only place I want tablet/stylus functionality is in a Cellphone or tiny very pocketable PDA. Once it is too big to be ultra-portable, I want a keyboard and a decent screen...

[gadgetrph Posted Mar 7th 2006 6:22PM]

It would really be great if this came with built in GPS functionality.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 7th 2006 6:48PM]

its kind of sad that they couldnt put the 3 hr. battery in the models being shown, i wish them the best of luck trying to make those batteries last that long in the next few weeks, just doesn't seem that reliable.

[yelohbird Posted Mar 7th 2006 6:53PM]

FUGLY

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 7th 2006 7:28PM]

http://umpc.com/full.swf

I'd share it, but I can't seem to download the .swf file - Firefox says it is not cached!

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 7th 2006 7:29PM]

Hey, when does Vista come out?

[cobaltage Posted Mar 7th 2006 7:35PM]

Back to #2/#42:
I think the Nokia 770 is good for what it is, but it is underpowered even for the applications that pack with it. For instance, the PDF reader is basically non-functional due to low memory on the unit. That said, I find a lot of uses for it.

I agree that $1000 is way to much for something like the UPMC to break through. It's a lot less than the cost of some of the tablet PCs that people are posting about, but it's still not enough for basic internet and multimedia functionality, given that a cheap laptop goes easily for under $1000 today. I was really hoping that this would be a sleek looking device at $500 from immediate release, but now I realize that I was out of my mind.

So if you're familiar with the shortcomings of the 770, given that the next version is in development with no sign of a release date so far, I can say that I am a fan of the hardware and the basic functioning of the 770 and I'm looking forward to seeing how they decide to upgrade it (both firmware and hardware). If you are into Linux coding, I would say it's almost a must buy. I don't know anything about Linux, and I'm still a fan.

[dave95 Posted Mar 7th 2006 8:19PM]

"#33. If Apple released this, it would get only 2 hours of battery life and you'd all be nutting yourself over it."

The difference with Apple, they will not release an ugly, thick, not yet ready for primetime product. Anyone who buys these at $600-$900 are nothing more than test monkeys.

I would love being able to use one of these to surf the web at the local cofee shop, but not at that price point.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 7th 2006 8:22PM]

all I know is I hope they are playing an April fool's day prank early....and they are going to turn around next wekk and tell us it's actually the new and improved SEGA Game Gear.....please.....

[Kabong30 Posted Mar 7th 2006 8:23PM]

Um...I haven't seen anyone else bring this up, but it's nice to see MS making a Newton clone! Seriously! I mean wasn't the biggest complaint about the Newt it's size? Anyway, It could be cool, but I just don't see it happening.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 7th 2006 8:29PM]

Or...for $125, you can pick up a Tapwave Zodiac and get something with plenty of battery life, a 3.8" 480x320 screen, MP3, video, gaming-friendly controls, a pocket-friendly size, and two SD slots.

3 hours of battery life, $1000, in a package too big to pocket? I hope for their sake this is some deliberate advanced misinformation designed to make the real news all that more exciting.

[theflew Posted Mar 7th 2006 8:37PM]

I thought the Pepper Pad was expensive at $799 but now it looks like it can do all the things this thing can do, plus better software integration. And it has a keyboard, hard drive and a 8.4" screen.

http://www.pepperpad.com

If this thing is just going to run Windows XP/Vista why not just buy a laptop. Usability wise all you're getting is a touch screen.

[PEZ Posted Mar 7th 2006 9:32PM]

So, those of us who wanted got to hear about how in a year or so, we will actually be able to use one of these for more than a few hours?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[prouted Posted Mar 7th 2006 10:21PM]

Microsoft make me laugh, this is seriously terrible! Where did they get this design from? this is simply horrible! Microsoft, listen, we are in year 2006, you should try to make nice design, such as the PSP, and not stuff looking like the Game Gear, back in the early 90s!

Also the name, UMPC, sounds like you could use UMD on it!!! LOL

Microsoft, you disappointed me again!

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 7th 2006 10:27PM]

should anyone REALLY be surprised that this thing is such a yawner?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 7th 2006 10:43PM]

Lame...

15 minute battery life?!

You'd be lucky to get XP to fully boot, activate the firewall, run a virus scan, run an ad-aware and spybot scan and dl the latest patches from micro$oft in that time!!!!

I don't see how somebody would take this un-inspired/plastic and bulky mess over an iPod 5g for music/video on the go and a Treo for mobile internet access.

Hell, you can get a decent laptop for under a grand.

Quote of the day:

"Intel also found in its testing that the devices appeal to active mothers"

Hahaha!!!

Trust me, I know what I'm doing!

[ricktakagi Posted Mar 8th 2006 12:41AM]

I'll be amazed if this is the final product. It'll be a huge failure if it is. The words "pocket" and this device should not be mentioned in the same article.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 8th 2006 1:12AM]

Any clue what market segment this thing is geared to? Seems like the tagline should be, "Origami: The dysfunctional marriage of a laptop's bulk with a PDA's lack of power."

[MollyC Posted Mar 8th 2006 1:34AM]

Children. Gotta luv 'em. :-)

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 8th 2006 1:45AM]

microsoft this better be damn good for hyping it so much.

[OddManOut Posted Mar 8th 2006 1:54AM]

Yeah...this device as it appears now is not too impressive. Any button it presses (ironic since it has so few buttons of it own :P) somthing else has already pressed and pressed better. Judging from the HPCs of the past like Intermec 6651/Jornada 720/8/Mobilepro/Clio one the light and lean side of the power spectrum on up to the more modern Nokia 770 and the 'full power' devices the OQOs and Flybooks of today, THIS incarnation of the ultimate mobile information convergence appliance appears decidedly LACKluster. Check eBay...10" and under tablet style devices of ALL denominations (PC/PDA/Hybrid) abound. Some don't have all the specs but cost much less...and some can do virtually anything if you've got the scrilla (like boast a keyboard...)

Many people have mentioned one major point already...price is key. Powerfull modern guts at a price you can afford is what would make this device or this class of devices noteworthy. I agree with this. But someone else mentioned what I think is another VERY important but slightly underrated point and that is...connectivity.

While it would be all well and good for any device of this type to have GPRS/3G and the like, a cost effective data service plan is just as important as the hardware.

Imagine the Nokia 770 with a bit more horsepower and always-on 3G data service. The internet anyway...EVERYWHERE*...and all that goes with it. If you add to it the potential that Area775

http://www.gizmoproject.com/area775.html

type service opens up to converge nearly all common forms of voice communication, any device so equipt in the 1 - 2 lb range will probably find it's way into numerous messanger bags, jacket pockets and purses. Add a CF slot or (considering the size it is already) a PCCARD slot and the possibilites for storage and expansion become nearly limitless...

Bundle that hardware and un unlimited voice and data plan ( @ >= 1.5mps) for

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 8th 2006 3:32AM]

Man, I was really hoping for that thing to be covered in crappy white plastic. Microsoft and Intel, have you learned nothing from Apple?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 8th 2006 3:51AM]

Actually I'm looking forward to this - I'm very often out at meetings and would love to bring this device with me - especially with the new OneNote features. I used to take the HP TC1100 tablet with me, but anything more lightweight would be great.

Anyway I have heard that VIA will release information on a Origami-project on the 9th so hopefully it will be something that extends the batterylife.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 8th 2006 5:47AM]

interesting video..

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6381789873197028811&q=origami+microsoft

-njoy

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 8th 2006 7:12AM]

mwahh hah ha ha, tablet pcs again........

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 8th 2006 8:23AM]

Hmmm... Apple may want to pull out their old Newton patents here. That, or maybe I'm just having a serious case of deja vu. Either way, I think the concensus is that $1000 five-pound "brick" PDAs don't appeal to the masses. It didn't in 1993, and I don't think much has changed since. Way to go Intel! You and Microsoft can now officially hang the "No new ideas here" sign on your front doors. Or just keep dusting off the signs that already been on your doors for quite some time. ;-)

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 8th 2006 9:38AM]

A thread on the Simplified Chinese version of Engadget talked about a mini-tablet - Mininote by Foundertech. The minitablet looks very similar to the UMPC prototype on this article.

Here you go:http://cn.engadget.com/2005/12/12/founder-mininote-notebook-computer/

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 8th 2006 9:52AM]

I ve read all the comments, and what I have to add is that Sony had the U750p VAIO, which was exactly the same UMPC idea (by the way I have one and beside the battery life, it is a great gadget). The U750 runs windowns XP and is based on an intel M processor, it has a touchscreen and everything a notebook has...
Ok, it was an almost U$2.000 but, i don t see anything new to the UMPC concept. It really sounds like a marketing action to catch public attention... OQO, Flybook,... what is the difference?!

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 8th 2006 10:11AM]

Wow, what a bunch of comments, many negative for something not yet released. I personally am hopeful that it will be what is described on the Intel site, a functional, ultra mobile PC that I can carry around with me. I want the power to view PDF's, run programs, be connected in a form factor that can easily be carried, yet large enough to have the power and usefulness that you cannot get from a pda, and a form factor that is a best compromise between form and function. I don't want something the size of a laptop.

If they create an instant on or nearly function and have a hard drive and let you run regular windows program this will be a slam-dunk in many ways.

I have been eyeing the Dualcor and the Fijitsu P1510D for sometime, and this has the potential to give me nearly the same feature set and less cost. Key I think will be three things - ability to run regular windows programs, internal storage, preferably hard drive, and high speed USB port or ports for easy expansion.

At work this could be the portable organizer/ pda /reference tool, in the car it transforms to a carputer with GPS and mp3, at home it interacts with your main pc as a auxiliary display/ remote desktop control...and depending on connectivity an always connected internet....why would you not want one.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 8th 2006 10:16AM]

Does anyone else think all these new UMPCs look like a glorified GAME GEAR....?