Gigabyte's new M700 UMPC and M528 MID

If you're still confused about this whole UMPC vs. MID debate, perhaps Gigabyte can help. The company is launching a pair mobile devices at CeBIT, the VIA-based UMPC M700 and the Centrino Atom (Menlow) powered M528 MID. The latter device is running on the exact same reference design Aigo is using for its MID, and the Linux OS seemed altered but certainly of the same stock -- and still really half-baked. Specs include an 800MHz Menlow chip, 512MB of RAM, 4GB SSD storage, 4.8-inch 800 x 480 touchscreen, GPS, Bluetooth 3.0 and a 3 megapixel camera. HSDPA is easily added via a mini card option that plugs in via USB. The M700 (pictured) is a tad more ambitious, with a VIA C7-M 1.2GHz processor, Windows Vista Home Premium, 2GB of RAM, a 1.8-inch 40GB / 60GB HDD and a 1024 x 600 7-inch touchscreen. There's no hardware keyboard, but you can type via a UMPC-style software keyboard, and real kicker here is a dock for the computer that lets the M700 power a desktop setup, complete with disc drive. No word on price or release date for either of these.

Gallery: Gigabyte's new M700 UMPC and M528 MID

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[Wwhat @ Mar 4th 2008 10:52AM]

Bluetooth 3.0 eh, perhaps they can tell the bluetooth group since they haven't finalized the version after 2.1 yet, or even named it I understand.

[silverblackvoid @ Mar 4th 2008 12:00PM]

i think the m700 kicks ass.

[Jacob N @ Mar 4th 2008 2:48PM]

Why are they trying to make a distinction between MID and UMPC? It seems odd to me that as technologies shrink and a full computer can be made smaller and smaller, they choose to create these arbitrary specifications. UMPC was bad enough, in my opinion, but MID just stinks of trying to confuse people to bilk them out of more money. It's just a tiny computer with cellular networking people, get over yourselves.

[Chris @ Mar 4th 2008 12:55PM]

Am I the only one that doesn't want vista in these little PCs? Seriously, if you're going to have a 1.2ghz cpu at least put xp on it.

[FRZ @ Mar 4th 2008 5:47PM]

The MID sounds pretty good in my opinion. I need one. Although, the M700 UMPC has better specs, I don't think I wanna carry around a 7"+ device around. I don't see the point of UMPCs when one can just simply get a tablet that can act the same and at least have a keyboard.

[dean @ Mar 4th 2008 9:13PM]

I forgot who buys these. Someone please tell me who buys them and what for. Please?

[Greg @ Mar 4th 2008 11:19PM]

I do. I have a MID. I think the Nokia N800 qualifies as a MID. A great travel companion when all I need to do is a little email work and light web surfing. Watch movies on the plane and the whole thing fits in a shirt pocket for $200.

[Charbax @ Mar 10th 2008 1:53AM]

I posted my interview with the Gigabyte representative about the MID M528 at http://techvideoblog.com/cebit/gigabyte-m528/