Averatec's AHI UMPC takes shape

Remember Averatec's sweet AHI UMPC concept from a couple months back? Well, they gave us the latest iteration of the device as it's been moving forward, as well as some details -- and we have to say, this is the first UMPC we've genuinely been able to get excited about. The sub 2-pounder will supposedly be somehow optimized for VoIP, videoconferencing, viewing live TV and VOD, and apparently even gaming (we're hoping they mean light gaming -- no CrossFire going on up in here). It's also supposed to have voice recognition systems (presumably for use with GPS guidance and the like),  a docking station, and is set to be priced under $800 for Q4 2006 launch. So basically it sounds like they're making a bunch of stuff up to get us excited, because we're having a hard time believing they're going to meet these goals. Then again, with capabilities so tantalizing and a price that low, we're a little tempted to turn a blind eye and hope for the best.

Update: Ok, we've got some preliminary specs here! Look out for a 1GHz Celeron M,  30 or 40GB drive, up to 1GB RAM, 1.3 megapixel webcam, Bluetooth, 802.11b/g, WWAN optional, 4-in-1 card reader, external VGA and audio outs, and a 5-inch 800 x 480 display. Pepper Pad 3, watchout now, kid.

[docsharp01 @ Mar 30th 2008 1:27AM]

Excellent article and good comments!
http://www.1-satellite-tv-facts.com

[Nobody @ Jul 8th 2008 10:31AM]

The keyboard looks unuseable and could be a lot better, the 1GHz Celeron is probably slower than my years old Flipstart 1.1 GHz Pentium M. The screen is unprotected and the resolution is not good enough. It looks to me like nothing much has been learnt in terms of design and the hard disk is too small. I hope the final specs are better otherwise this is just another cool looking device that offers nothing much over the current ones available.

[Dan @ Jun 7th 2006 12:14PM]

Well, Averatec has always built rather high ended machines for a low price.. It could turn out to be true!

[rotten_fruit_fan @ Jun 7th 2006 12:25PM]

Considering I got a C3500 for US$1000 when all other tablets where at least US$1600 I believe it.

Averatec doesn't get you the longest lasting parts, but their machines are worth every penny.

[Razel @ Jun 7th 2006 12:37PM]

I`m uttterly jumping up in excitement for the Averatec AHI.Only yesterday I was looking for information and Engadget comes to deliver.I think it`s a wonderfult thing they are even mentioning GAMING and hitting a LOW PRICEPOINT and 6 hours battery life.And they are the same company that are selling an ultra portable notebook with similar specs and wonderful 10.6 screen for 700 bucks.

[Razel @ Jun 7th 2006 12:38PM]

"Well, they gave us the latest iteration of the device as it's been moving forward"

Engadget,what does that mean?You have the device hands on.IF so can you show us more pictures of it?Is it bootable or still a mock up because I don`t fully understand.

[Peter @ Jun 7th 2006 12:55PM]

hmm, it might not be that much of a looker, but those promises are enticing. I'd like to see the specs before I jump to any conclusions. Anyone have at least some basics about this? i.e. processor, ram, wifi, etc.

[Landincoldfire @ Jun 7th 2006 1:23PM]

Not much of a looker? Compared to the other UMPCs that have been released this one is by far the sexiest.

Though, a test with the released version will be the final test.

[imon9 @ Jun 7th 2006 1:38PM]

sexy, and go a webcam too it seems...i've been waiting for UMPC price get lower..and battery life get longer...

woohoo..i might just get one next fall...

[cereal @ Jun 7th 2006 1:54PM]

I have never seen something so sexy before :p

I plan on getting this.

[WC @ Jun 7th 2006 4:49PM]

Uh... is it me or does the buttons for the keyboard extremely tiny and a bit recessed to be used comfortably...

[Lerry Liu @ Jun 7th 2006 7:11PM]

is it me...or did they kinda get their idea from the sony...or did sony get their idea from averatec?

[Oddmanout @ Jun 7th 2006 7:31PM]

"is it me...or did they kinda get their idea from the sony...or did sony get their idea from averatec?"

I would guess parallel evolution. Sony probably remembered from their Clie days that people dig physical KB's on portable devices (something it looks like other UMPC makers don't quite grasp), and Averatec probably thought it would be a good angle to hit because most UMPCs are NOT including one...ie if you GOTTA have a kb, you GOTTA have an Averatec. At that, I don't think Sony's inclusion of one will hurt Averatec (if that indeed is their strategy) as the Averatec will probably be half the price, and thus have a different target demographic. A theory supported by the seemingly game oriented button layout and Averatecs statements that they are focusing on specific uses for their product.

I had feared this product had gotten axed. Glad to see it's gestating nicely. Even happier to hear the target price is $800. $500 is too good to be true...and as we all saw with UMPC's at large $500 turned out to be $1100+. But $800 ? That I can believe...

[Ben @ Jun 7th 2006 8:08PM]

This thing looks like it might actually be the holy grail of portable devices.

Since they announced the UMPC platform I've had a 5 point checklist to determine whether or not a device is worth considering:

-Small enough to be an everyday companion without getting in the way? If it's a 5 inch screen, that would make it roughly PSP-sized, in which case, CHECK.

-Wireless connectivity for web and email? CHECK.

-Media playback? CHECK.

-Decent battery life? They say 6 hours, but is that idling with the wireless radios off or under a full load? Can I watch a full length movie without it dying on me? POSSIBLE CHECK.

-Reasonable price for what it does? I've said all along that the point at which I'll consider buying a UMPC (provided it meets the rest of my criteria) is $700. They're saying below $800. That might be close enough for me...again, provided it does everything I want. POSSIBLE CHECK.

So it's a definite hit on 3/5 and a possible hit on the last two. Might be time for me to start setting aside some pennies.

[Pixelbox @ Jun 7th 2006 9:53PM]

okay, I'm loving the gaming controls and form factor. With a 40gig harddrive, you could store a whole ton of ROMS. It would be the ultimate miniature mame cabinet -without the real arcade controls, of course.

I wonder if that six hours of battery life is the real deal.

[diulei @ Jun 7th 2006 11:04PM]

That does look mighty enticing, except the keys - those look hard to type on. And they also seem like they would hurt your fingers after using it for a few minutes.

[Oddmanout @ Jun 8th 2006 2:29AM]

"It would be the ultimate miniature mame cabinet -without the real arcade controls, of course."

Not a bad idea. And at that, why put the kybosh on the real arcade controls ? With a little video out and some time spent with a saw you probably could build a full custom mame cabinet and run it off one of these. If you're the inventive sort you could probably rig a quick and easy (realatively speaking of course) 'dock' setup so you can detach the unit and take it with you at will for a converged in home/portable gaming solution the likes of which hasn't been seen since the TurboGrafix 16/TurboExpress.


"That does look mighty enticing, except the keys - those look hard to type on. And they also seem like they would hurt your fingers after using it for a few minutes."

Agreed. But I think the distance in annoyance between this and a real keyboard for typing is the same as the distance between this (the averatec setup) and using a stylus and pickboard for entering URLs.

Just a thought. Chances are if you want to type something long, you'll want to sit down, preferably at a table, in which case you can use one of these

http://www.conics.net/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=96

for about $20.

[cobalt @ Jun 8th 2006 3:07AM]

Averatec actually announced this device before the UMPC/Origami viral campaign even started. They then added on the fact that this would be a UMPC.

[ericw @ Jun 15th 2006 11:37PM]

Based on the C3500 tablet, which was pretty much a lemon, I would be hard-pressed to believe they can deliver that much for so little. I still have the 5 lb wonder that I see every day that reminds me of that.

[John F @ Jun 30th 2006 8:20AM]

Looks cool, But whats up with the 800x480 screen?
Why not use a 1024 X 600 screen.

[FelixLeech @ Jul 7th 2006 5:01PM]

So, I work for a company that does a lot of direct dealing with Averatec.

My boss has actually seen these units in person. He said they were using it to tie into a slingbox, and that it looked great doing it.

After I bugged him about it some he also said that he is going to talk to his contacts and see if we can get our hands on some advance units.

If we do I'll get info about it up here pronto.

[Maxiv @ Jul 10th 2006 7:26PM]

Awesome Felix, I freaking can't wait to hear some more solid news on this beast of a handheld.

[kelli @ Jul 19th 2006 6:27AM]

a UMPC with 6 hour battery life? impossible. the current ones barely hold up for 2.5 hours. and for less than $1000 is hard to believe as well. i'll believe it when i see it. and then i'll probably get one myself! if they're going to actually have a keyboard, why dont they fill up all that empty space with better buttons like a normal full qwerty keyboard so that we can all type regularly? other than that, i would most definitely choose this one over the other UMPC's, if only for the fact that it actually has something resembling a keyboard that isnt a touchpad screen.

[Matt @ Aug 29th 2006 12:21AM]

its kinda like the Sony Vaio UX50 but -$1000!!

[Keith Paterson @ Sep 7th 2006 6:17PM]

As a severely deaf person I have been looking for a UMPC for a few years now and one that will convert speech to text. With XP on board that will be possible, even if I only get to train my wife to use it ! But my wish list goes further : I am anticipating that this Bluetooth device will eventually connect to a pair of hi spec glasses which will enable to SEE what you are saying and look at you a the same time. Come on someone. Patent it! I haven't got the expertise.
Kpnuts
www.silverhairs.co.uk

[Keith Paterson @ Sep 8th 2006 3:26AM]

For more about my continued search for a UMPC with speech recognition see my page at http://www.silverhairs.co.uk/help28.htm

[Dennis C @ Sep 13th 2006 7:38AM]

Any new news? Any one seen one? Size comparison to the Vega? -- Thanks

[Jeff @ Feb 11th 2007 5:30AM]

Averatec imagines its 2200 & 2300 as "ultra-portable". Yet both machines are almost 4lb!! I'd take Averatec's views on "ultra-portable/mobile" with a grain of salt.

UMPCs try solving a non-existant problem. Just buy any laptop you like plus a $300-400 Nokia Internet Tablet for when you need ultra-mobility. Nokia ITs can't be "docked" since they don't have video out, but are infinitely more portable than any UMPC, and your laptop has a *much* bigger screen than any UMPC. You'll be happier with two machines, one tiny, and one reasonable but still portable.

[Peter @ Mar 12th 2007 4:20AM]

6 hours using celeron technology? That's crazy. They must be using a different chipset or lying.