Just when we though Tegatech's Gigabyte M528 MID would run a scary $1131, Gigabyte has come out and said that the unit will run a somewhat more palatable $750. That includes the hardware only, so the SIM and 3G data plans will be completely up to you. But, keep in mind this unit packs an 800Mhz Menlow processor, GPS, and 8GB SSD. As for when you can grab one, it's looking like late July in Taiwan. Hit the read link if you're still with us and want to pre-order this naughty little MID.

[Thanks, KC]

[Via The Gadgetsite]

Intel's been making a lot of noise about MIDs for a while now, but we're going to guarantee that the entire category flops if this first wave of pricing info is accurate. Australian importer Tegatech's got the Gigabyte M528 up for pre-order, and while we're intrigued by the 800MHz Atom processor, 512MB of RAM, and 8GB SSD, we're certainly not willing to pay AU$1199 ($1131) to satisfy our curiosity -- especially since the Linux build was so half-baked when we played with this thing at CeBIT. Of course, this isn't official pricing (and it's actually dropped from AU$1549 since we first saw the listing), but let's hope this is even more inaccurate than usual, eh?

[Via UMPC Portal]

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.