umpc

If people are wondering whether the UMPC concept will catch on, the growing list of manufacturers pumping out ultra-mobile devices should silence the critics. Packard Bell is the latest to produce a 7-inch portable--christened the EasyNote XS20.

Available at the upcoming SITEX show in Singapore, it will have to contend with the ASUS Eee PC, which will be making a maiden appearance at the same time. At S$1,298 (US$853.95) it is twice as costly as its ASUS rival, so the EasyNote XS20 will have to rely on its impressive hardware to make a good showing.

The … Read more

When we last saw the Wibrain B1, a Korean UMPC, it was charting a course to unknown international markets. Thanks to Dynamism.com, the Wibrain B1 is coming to America. The Japanese-import site lists two Wibrain B1 models--for $699 and $849--with an expected ship date of mid- to late December. The higher-end model doubles the hard drive capacity (to 60GB) and RAM (to 1GB). Each model features a 4.8-inch wide-screen display with a 1,024x600 resolution and weighs 1.1 pounds. It runs a full version of Windows XP Home, but don't expect anything resembling blazing performance from … Read more

Though better known for making mainboards than consumer electronics, Gigabyte's first foray into the UMPC market--the U60--was surprisingly competent and incorporated a few innovative features such as split keyboard and GPS/TV tuner expansion slots.

The changes in the new Gigabyte M704 are mostly cosmetic, though the VIA processor has been bumped up to 1.2GHz and its screen has grown from 6.5 to 7 inches, obviating the need to scroll sideways on some Web sites designed for viewing in 1,024-pixel resolution. Despite the larger display and faster processor, the battery life remains similar to the … Read more

The Wibrain B1 popped up on OnlyUMPC.com in August, and earlier this month CNET Asia's DigiHunter posted a picture that showed an updated-but-still-retro-looking design along with intel that it may hit some international markets outside its home turf in Korean by the end of the year. Today, Engadget posted a video (in Korean, mind you) of the Wibrain B1 with one of its handlers.

While I've never been warm on the UMPC (low on usability, high on price), and the arrival of the Asus Eee PC has left me even cooler on the idea of a UMPC, … Read more

Phone makers aren't the only ones interested in Google's Android software.

Of the 34 companies that agreed to join Google's Open Handset Alliance, Intel's decision to participate is yet another sign that the chipmaker is looking for alternative software to run on its Mobile Internet Device (MID) project. Most of the attention around Android focused on the mobile-phone market, and with good reason, as that area will be the first to get a sense of whether Google and its partners can actually make headway in this area.

But the world's largest chipmaker would still like … Read more

Hey, look, someone found an interesting use for an OQO!

My helpful colleague Stephen Shankland brought this to my attention. In place of a separate laptop, this camera back from Megavision comes with a built-in UMPC from OQO to operate the image sensor, and review and store photos.

Now, this product is definitely not for the casual photog, and neither is the price. (It's not listed, but is probably upward of $10,000.) But it is a creative use for the category of tiny mobile PCs that most consumers have shunned thus far.

Actually, Megavision, makes a variety of … Read more

When the Kohjinsha SA1 was released outside Japan, it made waves as the first UMPC priced as low as $658. Though the coming of the cheaper ASUS Eee PC has stolen the former's thunder, we were still excited to see the SA1's successor as it could well be the cheapest Vista UMPC in the market (ASUS is based on Linux).

We played around with the new Kohjinsha SH6 display unit and were impressed that the Japanese company actually listened to consumer feedback. The keyboard is now head and shoulders above the SA1. The screen can be rotated with … Read more

Its gangly, mutant appearance frightened fellow Craver Mike Yamamoto last year when he spied Samsung's ultramobile PC with a fold-out keyboard, but I've been pining for this odd duck of a UMPC to reach the U.S.

I'm not sure I'd buy one (pricing is still unknown, for one thing), but I'd certainly like the chance to review it to get a sense of its overall operation. Folding and unfolding it may become cumbersome while on the go, but I still like the idea of pairing a tiny, 5-inch UMPC with a full-size keyboard. UMPCs … Read more

If you think the Raon Digital Everun was the smallest, think again. Ultramobilelife was given a glimpse of an ultra-mobile PC that is almost the same size as portable media players.

Based on the VIA Mobile ITX chassis, the MTube holds a 1GHz VIA processor, 2.8-inch VGA screen and 8GB of storage. All in a body that measures a mere 85 x 85 x 20mm and weighs 150g. Though it runs Linux and not Windows' power-hogging Vista OS, battery life is none too impressive at four hours. The MTube will hopefully hit stores in 2009.

(Source: Crave Asia)