The UMPC debate rages on but I call it “over”

Sony_uxMicro PC Talk is featuring a great UMPC vs. sub-notebook article that continues the ongoing definition of UMPCs. Using the Sony UX and Kohjinsha SH6 as a point of reference, the argument here is that some manufacturers are just producing crippled notebooks in a small form factor. I’m inclined to concede a few points to that opinion, but the other side of the coin is that not everyone wants a powerful computer that’s pocketable. Actually, let me rephrase that: not everyone can afford a configuration like that, even if they did want it.

I think it’s time to get past the hard definition of a UMPC. Fact is: different people have different computing needs and there’s no need to shoehorn them into a form factor or hardware configuration. There’s simply no way the industry will define this class of device because it’s actually several classes of devices: powerful pocketables like the UX and OQO, capable slates such as the Asus R2H and Samsung Q1-series and lightweight clients like Nokia’s 770 and N800. I’d contend that all of these are "UMPCs" in the broadest sense of the term; heck, you could even call some high-end phones "UMPCs" if you threw in some of the Nokia N-series, new WinMo smartphones or the iPhone. In any case, benz145 (a frequent commenter here with great thoughts) got me thinking about this subject after reading the article. Good stuff!

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