Amtek shows off U560 UMPC at Computex

OEM manufacturer Amtek's rolled into Computex with a fresh new UMPC prototype, and it looks like it may have already signed up a partner in the US to offer it under their brand name. That bit of news comes from GottaBeMobile, which has also managed to scope out a few of the device's specs. As is par for the course these days, the device is based on Intel's McCaslin platform, and packs either an 800MHz A110 or 600MHz A100 processor, a 3600mAh 2-cell battery with an optional 4-cell extended battery, and an integrated 1.3 megapixel webcam, not to mention a full QWERTY keypad. Apparently, Amtek is set to put the device into mass production by the end of the year, although it looks like we'll have to wait a bit longer to hear anything on pricing or availability, as well as any word about that mystery US partner.

[akijikan @ Jun 5th 2007 2:06PM]

that is the first UMPC I've seen that I'd even consider getting in to.

[Owen V @ Jun 5th 2007 2:18PM]

isn't 800Mhz the minimum for vista?

[kai @ Jun 5th 2007 2:32PM]

so, a weaker version of Sony's Vaio UX?

sorry, already have one of those, and it's much better than this thing.

[Maxiv @ Jun 5th 2007 2:31PM]

Looks awesome, seems like the Averatec-AHI in disguise though. Hopefully the price is affordable,so I can purchase this as soon as it is released.

[William @ Jun 5th 2007 2:34PM]

Well, that is a blatant ripoff : www.sony.com/ux

[anonymous @ Jun 5th 2007 2:37PM]

why does everything have to come with a camera? I have a camera for when I want one and don't need every friggin thing I own to have one also. I can only take so many pictures of nothing.

[William @ Jun 5th 2007 2:40PM]

No, I would get the VAIO UX, (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=11040489)

It has much better specs (a 1.33 GHz Core Solo), 2 cameras (1 facing the user for web conferencing, the other on the back so you can use the device like a large point and shoot camera with a very large LCD.
The VAIO also has a 40 Gig HDD (option for a 32GB SSD), as well as 1 GB RAM and a port replicator/docking station.

The best part is that it has unusually good value for a cutting edge VAIO, costing only $1850.

Oh yeah, and it doesnt have a cheap plastic feel to it.

[DeafLEGO @ Jun 5th 2007 2:44PM]

SideKick KILLER!!!

[Preston @ Jun 5th 2007 2:45PM]

It looks like a Sidekick.

[Maxiv @ Jun 5th 2007 3:00PM]

Sadly, the entry level price for a current UX model is still a bit to steep IMO. If this device could be released around a similar price range like the Q1 Ultra (which is priced as low as $800), than this will become one of the best compact sized UMPCs.

[ED @ Jun 5th 2007 3:35PM]

It looks pretty good, but as a Sony UX user, I would be concerned about the specs.
The Sony moves along reasonably well with the current platform (battery life sucks of course), but with anything less than the Sony UX's configuration running Vista, I would really be worried about performance. That said, the pricing entry point is probably about right. I say ditch the camera, jam in a better process and leave the pricing the same.

[o0adam0o @ Jun 5th 2007 7:15PM]

Man that looks like a side..crap everyone noticed it already...

[Jonathan Worrel @ Jun 5th 2007 6:59PM]

wow - that's the hottest UMPC i've ever seen up til now. i'd consider it if the specs were a little higher.

[The Jeremy @ Jun 5th 2007 7:52PM]

Funny, I swear I've seen that keyboard before...on the Atari Portfolio, circa 1989 or so. At least that little device allowed you to get free cash out of the nearest ATM - if *T2* was to be believed - which is as cool as you can get outside of The Doctor's 51st Century Sonic Screwdriver...

[gadjitfreek @ Jun 5th 2007 8:06PM]

All of these new UMPC's make me very glad I bought an OQO Model 02.

[Victor (Mister A) @ Jun 5th 2007 9:38PM]

This is such a sidekick, why would they just now come up with this a UMPC idea.

[Jeffrey @ Jun 6th 2007 6:10PM]

Shrink it down and make it a WM6 device, then maybe I'll care...

*

[Logan @ Jun 7th 2007 7:10PM]

Hey, if this had 1 gb of ram... does anyone know if it could run os X?