Hands-on with Digital Cube's "world's smallest" UMPC: the G43

The first thing you need to know about Digital Cube's i-Station G43 UMPC is that it's small. Not crazy small, just small for a device labeled a UMPC. That's primarily due to that fact that it sports a 4.3-inch, 800 x 480 touch-screen display instead of the big ol' 7-incher featured on most UMPCs. Its primary limitation then, is the fact that it runs an AMD Geode LX800/900 running at 500MHz (throttled back to 398MHz in the prototype on display at CeBIT). That means XP and Linux, no Vista Home Professional for you. Still, with 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth, choice of 30GB or 60GB disks, a speaker dock, USB-host port, and a nice touch-pad mousing interface along the left-hand side, it will certainly fill a void in somebody's ultra mobile lifestyle. You know, whenever it might ship.

Update: Will be out in Korea this summer for about $700 with a rest of world launch in September or October.

Gallery: Hands-on with Digital Cube's "world's smallest: UMPC: the G43

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[Jesse S @ Mar 15th 2007 3:24PM]

How much is it?

[tribadeus @ Mar 15th 2007 3:34PM]

This is smaller than the OQO??? Hard to believe looking at the picture.

[Scott @ Mar 15th 2007 4:13PM]

That's what I was going to say. My first thought was this looks much bigger than my OQO 1+. It looks bigger than OQO 2 too.

[Brian @ Mar 15th 2007 4:24PM]

I believe this form factor will allow us to look at mobile computing from a different perspective. When I use a notebook in the office or at home I prefer to use a full size keyboard, mouse and external monitor. This device now focuses on portable storage, OS and applications. A dock at home and the office would allow me to quickly and easily connect to these external peripherals (even sexier if keyboard and mouse are bluetooth).

How about providing these docks in other public locations like hotels, airports or wherever there may be alot of business users.

How about adding a GPRS radio for Internet access?

[Kev50027 @ Mar 15th 2007 4:42PM]

That thing looks huge. Unless his hand is massive, my Sony Vaio U750p is far smaller than that thing.

[Cesar Cardoso @ Mar 15th 2007 4:47PM]

So a Nokia 770/N800 can be called a UMPC now? It's nearly the same screen size...

[Ian @ Mar 15th 2007 5:09PM]

As a musician I am very interested in the UMPC movement. In stead of bringing along a full out laptop, I'd love to run Ableton live on this, using USB midi controllers. Heck, how about a little box with a dock for your UMPC that supplies power, audio outs and a small MIDI controller. Sure save space as well as hassle when traveling as well!

[Michael Francis @ Mar 15th 2007 6:20PM]

When and where can I buy this XD
If before June I will definitely get one.
Thanks engadget

[Spirit @ Mar 15th 2007 6:22PM]

4.3" screen... that's the size of the PSP's, I believe.

So this thing is probably around the the size of the PSP.

Maybe one day, UMPCs will hit the magical $500, I'll get one. I really hope they do, because Windows Mobile doesn't do it for me. And no Vista? Who cares!

[ZSX @ Mar 15th 2007 7:13PM]

I agree! Vista is not necessary. In this category, size and price are what matter. I'd buy this if it is cheaper for not having Vista.

[Spirit @ Mar 15th 2007 6:24PM]

@ Cesar

It's not as much as size that makes it a UMPC - it's the full Windows XP (combined with a small size, and touch screen), which the Nokia 770 does not have.

[Matt @ Mar 15th 2007 7:02PM]

Lol at first i though that second pic was a BSOD.

[mesaboogie @ Mar 15th 2007 8:18PM]

You can't believe how "necessary" Vista is with these things. I have the RC2 running on my Asus R2h for months now and it's a so much better experience... ink recognition is much more accurate than before (it was still good enough on XP though). Plus, it runs just as fast (not saying that it is FAST) if not faster than XP tablet edition - and mine only has 512mb of ram.

[cooier @ Mar 16th 2007 12:30AM]

"costs 700$ {:')} with the Windows XP licence, but isn’t available before July"

[mitch @ Mar 17th 2007 7:54AM]

No camera!!!!!!!!!

[BigD @ Mar 18th 2007 1:12AM]

Nice link. Thanks for walkthrough. Digital-Cube actually have something like this already out in Korea. It runs WinCE 5 though. Still a handy device though.

http://www.i-station.co.kr/products/nfdmbnavi.html

[r00tard @ Mar 21st 2007 4:30PM]

lolmao, teh 2nd piczor is teh BSOD, ROFLLLL'nessm lol lol lol, f u bast4rds n00bz,lolness.

[BigD @ Mar 31st 2007 4:15AM]

That's a blue paper spec sheet....

[ShadowVlican @ Apr 4th 2007 6:26PM]

WinXP will be PAINFULLY slow on that AMD Geode

[phil @ Jun 2nd 2008 4:58PM]

Consumers just don't seem to get it. The big massive operating systems such as XP or vista are not what these little guys are all about. We don't really need a big powerhouse inside a handheld device. To me, this is a step backward. Nokia got it right with their n800/n810 tablets. Even Microsoft realizes there's more potential in Windows CE/mobile than in their desktop systems... they're just waiting for the public to catch-up and realize it. When we do, most tiny handhelds will contain hardware based/instant-on fast streamlined OS such as pocket PDA's have offered for years. My little handheld will turn-on, connect to wifi, send and receive email before one of these UMPCs even has a chance to boot up. And my sluggish laptop?? That baby is only used for my big everyday powerhouse usage... it doesn't even make the trip to the airport or to Starbucks. Why? It just can't keep up with a little Nokia tucked away in my pocket! David has crippled Goliath, but we just don't realize it yet.