Microsoft has finally unwrapped the mysterious Origami . nickname an ultramobile PC , or UMPC for short , it has elicited a mix of oscitancy and flip up . It ’s not for sale yet , but if you ’re enquire what the hype is about , this FAQ will shed some light .
What the heck is that thing ? A PDA on steroids?Not exactly . It ’s more like a shrivelled tablet PC . In fact , the machine runs Windows XP Tablet PC variation with a few embellishments , so it offers most of the functionality of a bigger personal computer in a much little bundle .
Just how small is it?About 2 pounds . Not pocket - size , but smaller than most laptops .
Does Microsoft make UMPCs?No . It has spearheaded the ontogeny of these downsized devices , partnering with hardware manufacturing business to offer another family of mobile PCs for users on the go . And of course , it ’s another equipment that feeds off a flavor of Microsoft ’s Windows operating scheme .
So , who make these devices?Samsung is scheduled to be the first out the doorway in the U.S. with a model called the Q1 . It ’s due out in April . It ’ll be take after by one from Asus in June . Other UMPCs will be turn in the Asian market over the summer .
How much will they cost?They’ll sell in the $ 599 - to-$999 kitchen range .
How about the specs?They’ll vary by manufacturer . At a lower limit , expect to see UMPCs with Intel Celeron M or Pentium M mainframe , 30 GB to 60 GB hard drives and a 7 - in touch screen . Samsung ’s new Q1 add up with a 900 - megahertz Celeron M CPU , 512 MB of RAM and a 40 GB backbreaking driving force . The touch screen has a resolution of 800 by 480 . It also has a CF batting order slot , two USB and one Ethernet porthole and build up - in stereo utterer . The Q1 weighs just 1.7 pounds and measures 9 - by-5.5 - by-0.96 inches . Other bell and whistles you ’re potential to see on UMPCs include digital TV tuners , webcam , SD card readers , fingermark lector and GPS capabilities .
Does it have Bluetooth?Yes , and more . The Samsung Q1 connects via Bluetooth 2.0 , Wi - Fi ( 802.11b / g ) and Ethernet .
What about a keyboard?There are multiple way to input textbook : Use the touch - filmdom or the included stylus , or connect a keyboard via a USB port or Bluetooth .
So , what did you signify about an embellishment to the Windows XP Tablet personal computer edition?With Vista , Microsoft ’s coming operating organisation , a unexampled equipment operate Windows XP would naturally draw oscitance . However , Microsoft ’s softened the blow a little by throwing in new software called the Windows Touch Pack made specially for poke at UMPCs . It let you to custom-make the user interface and makes applications more jot - screen favorable . The pack also include DialKeys , an lotion create by Fortune Fountain that ’s fundamentally an on - silver screen , thumb - engage keyboard , a fingerbreadth - friendly new skin for Windows Media Player and a edition of the addictive puzzle plot Sodoku .
Never bear in mind all that . Will the UMCP melt Vista?Eventually . accord to aMicrosoft FAQ , “ UMPCs that meet the Vista hardware requirements will be compatible with the Modern operating system . ”
What about battery life?The companies are betoken 2.5 to 3 hours .
What ! Who on earth would buy something with that kind of battery life?Who knows ? perhaps early adopter and home user with a power release nearby . Microsoft is spin out the common blather about how assault and battery life will meliorate with future development . It ’ll be interesting to see whether the UMPC is around long enough for that to happen .
Is this an enterprise product?Not quite . Unlike its bigger cousin the tablet PC , the UMPC is aiming for a consumer interview with amusement , multimedia and online connectivity as the focus . However , that ’s not to say that it ca n’t handle more serious business , since it can run full version of Office .
You have n’t scare me off . Where can I keep an oculus on UMPC developments?Try Microsoft’sorigamiproject.comand feel for an coming product review on Computerworld’sWeb site .
