Gadget EDU: the UMPC.
For the longest time, I’ve considered getting a UMPC (Ultra Mobile PC.) The problems with these systems are multi-fold, but the primary deterrent (for me anyway) has always been simply the price.
Most of these devices offer an external graphics port, USB ports, as well as many of the features of full-blown systems; much like your every-day-run-of-the-mill laptop. So, what’s the hitch?
While these little systems run a full version of Windows XP (now Vista) the features are just shy of a real PC; slower CPU, less memory, and smaller harddrives are the bane of the UMPC format. UMPC devices are not (typically, or easily) upgradeable — the graphic processors and CPUs are (again, typically) not fast enough for even casual gaming, nor are these systems designed to meet the needs of the individual consumers that would purchase them. The general unfriendliness of the built in keyboards and lack of a mouse are an impairment as well; carrying a full size or collapsible keyboard is rather self defeating, if you ask me (which you didn’t.) Oh yes, and we can’t forget the price, now, can we? These devices can cost as much or more than a laptop! Sheesh!
With all of these limitations, why do all these hardware vendors believe that this format will succeed? What’s the market for the UMPC? Surely Jack Bauer (from the hit TV Series 24) isn’t the only demographic… There apparently is quite the market in Asia, not to mention a somewhat growing, very sluggish, market in the US. The UMPC market has seen some limited success in the areas of education, industrial applications, military usage, as well as medical.
The UMPC Format gives an adequate system in a very portable package. If you do not need high-performance gaming, nor do you feel the need to do some serious number crunching, and don’t care about finger cramps, you may want to consider one!
Here’s a quick little tour of the UMPC market today:
- UMPC.com : Ultra Mobile PC info
- Windows Vista UMPC Edition : Origami [Shockwave] (Microsoft UMPC)
- Samsung’s Q1Ultra : Samsung gives UMPC Form factor one more go (via betanews)
- Samsung’s Q1Ultra : Some notes and some more notes (via UMPCPortal)
- The OQO : predecessor to the UMPC? Engadget has this to say.
- UMPCPortal : Compare UMPC Devices
- Only UMPC : iStation G43 (touted as the smallest UMPC)
If you didn’t already know about the UMPC, do some research of your own. You may just be missing out on a whole new level of computing.
Gadget Edu: Keeping you edu-ma-cated!
