Comments on: The point reviewers are missing about Ultra-mobile PCs

By: Anton P. Nym

Anton P. Nym — Mon, 08 May 2006 10:39:07 +0000

I haven’t seen a link to it yet, but there’s a good list of “UMPC Myths” busted at the What Is New blog:

http://www.whatisnew.com/blogs/dailynews/archive/2006/05/07/9187.aspx

I think it’s a good basis to start on, myself.

— Steve

By: jk

jk — Mon, 08 May 2006 10:29:51 +0000

Frank, hopefully that battery life will improve for you. The pre-production unit I was evaluating did not have power management enabled yet I got around 2 hours out of it. I carry an extra battery with me for my mobile devices if I need them to run all day and the UMPC is no different. The standard batteries are no doubt very small and as you have stated the extended battery will be availabe from TK soon. Very few people actually use their mobile device for hours on end. I have two batteries for my Sony U and never run dry, same with my HP tc1100 Tablet PC. Get a second battery and carry it in a pocket or something.

By: Stephen Brandon

Stephen Brandon — Mon, 08 May 2006 10:00:51 +0000

I agree. Up until I got my degree, often I bought lighter PCs from the previous generation as a mobile companion to a desktop, because I noticed early on two simple truths: one, the lighter the PC, the more likely it is I’ll have it with when it would be useful; and, two, when I’m away from my desk, I use very basic programs. One’s mobile comp isn’t the same as a desktop. It’s a companion to the desktop which allows the usefulness of a comp in more aspects of one’s life than just sitting at a desk. The more portable and robust the formfactor a mobile comp has, the more places you’ll find you can be productive.

I’m now using a TC1100 in slate mode and carry a ThinkOutside bluetooth keyboard for the few times I need a keyboard. The problem with most of the reviews I’ve seen of the UMPC is that the reviewers seem determined to review the UMPC in comparison with laptops, blackberries, ect. instead of taking the UMPC as a new form factor–one best compared with small tablets; but too often, these are the same kind of reviers who didn’t understand tablets. In its own category, the UMPC is very, very impressive, and I’m looking forward to buying the via based Samsung when it comes out and using it as my new *mobile* comp and desktop companion.

By: frank j

frank j — Mon, 08 May 2006 09:46:25 +0000

JK, but there is a problem. You can't really talk about mobility when you are getting 1 hour and 25 mins max of battery life. ;)

By: Mel Buckpitt

Mel Buckpitt — Mon, 08 May 2006 08:39:58 +0000

James I agree with you but there are other things the reviewers have missed. I would recommend that anyone interested in the UMPC debate undertake a little research. Check out the websites and take time to understand how the manufacturers, and this includes Microsoft, sees the value and the use of the UMPC. Then critically evaluate the concept and then their products against the stated concept. To simply state that this needs a DVD, keyboard etc, without taking time to understand the concept is, as I have said before, like complaining that I cant get the kids and the shopping into the Ferrari. To be clear I am not saying that the UMPC is a Ferrari. The Samsung Q1 website talks about digital convergence and the limitations of existing devices, so does the Q1 bridge this gap? Is there need to bridge this gap? The reviewers have never answered this basic question but have suggested utopia is acheived through the use of keyboards and DVD drives. Perhaps I am missing something but to me the reviews lack objectivitiy, analysis and rational conclusions.

By: Why Origami's unfolding so poorly

Why Origami's unfolding so poorly — Mon, 08 May 2006 06:00:00 +0000

By: Mexian valium.

Mexian valium. — Mon, 08 May 2006 06:00:00 +0000

By: Why Origami's unfolding so poorly

Why Origami's unfolding so poorly — Mon, 08 May 2006 06:00:00 +0000

By: Why Origami's unfolding so poorly

Why Origami's unfolding so poorly — Mon, 08 May 2006 06:00:00 +0000

By: Why Origami's unfolding so poorly

Why Origami's unfolding so poorly — Mon, 08 May 2006 05:00:00 +0000

By: Why Origami's unfolding so poorly

Why Origami's unfolding so poorly — Mon, 08 May 2006 05:00:00 +0000