Origami seems intended to be lightweight and (if not cheap) affordable; adding a big, beefy battery to power custom-built state-of-the-art small-production-run doohickies just doesn’t fit either design principle. All those standard parts put together are in there for a reason; a 7″ display can piggy-back on DVD player orders, as the drives and processors can from other portables, and so on. Sure, it’d be nice to have a 900g/2lb UMPC with all-day power and a 2GHz processor for $600USD… but it’d also be nice to win the lottery, and your odds are slightly better right now with the lottery. :) If you want to reach that price point, you’ve got to either make huge runs (and take a huge gamble) or use off-the-shelf parts.

The first generation of Origami hasn’t hit a home run with its execution of the design principles, more of a slow roller to be honest… but you can still get on base with a slow roller if you’re fast on your feet. Here’s hoping that the second or third generation can bring ‘em home with a light, convenient, affordable, and easy-to-use alternative to the notebook.

— Steve

The only sour taste left in my mouth is the negative comments that Matt decided to follow through with.

UMPC is here to stay; I know the current response in Australia has proven overwhelming. I’ll post more conclusive findings shortly!

Keep inkin’

Hugo

That’s the leading, bleeding GROWTH edge of this marketplace, and they better get clued in to it OR GET RUN OVER…

http://origamiproject.com/forums/permalink/2914/2914/ShowThread.aspx#2914

Ever try to take notes on a convertible tablet PC while you’re trying to develop on it? Not sure you want to lug 3+ pounds of machine to a meeting just to take notes? UMPCs, I think, fill a vital role for personal organization that marry the best aspects of tablet pcs (the software and screen) and the best aspects of PIMs (the size, albeit a bit bigger).

Now, consider the UMPCs for business use in the field. Many businesses won’t consider tablets for the field because of their expense, usually $1000+. If we can get the cost down to sub-$500 AND make them less clumsly to lug about, I think we’ll see a dramatic increase in their use for field work.

It’s a mistake for OEMs to lose out on expertise in this area.

That’s the real issue. Who’s been asking for a product like this? What problem does it solve?

When I first saw a UMPC, it reminded me of the Pepper Pad. Anyone know how well the Pepper Pad is selling?

In line with Scotty’s comment, I’m reminded of one of your prior posts where you commented that one of the most innovative things about the UMPC was a built-in plastic stand on the back. That seems to sum things up nicely.