Ultra-Mobile PC

In personal computers, Ultra-Mobile PC (often abbreviated UMPC) is a small form factor (a standard size and shape) for tablet PCs and subnotebook/netbooks. Besides netbooks of 7-10 inch, 13.3 inch subnotebooks are also included. The form factor was originally developed as part of Project Origami, and at first only included tablet pc's. The project was a joint development exercise by Microsoft, Intel, and Samsung, among others. Intel is also responsible for the Mobile Internet Device, a variation on the "UMPC" concept.

Features

UMPCs usually run on Windows or Linux operating systems including Ubuntu [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/may/22/internet.software The Guardian: Ubuntu tailored for ultraportables] ] . It uses low-voltage Intel Pentium or VIA C7-M processors in the 1 GHz range.

Project Origami Ultra-Mobile PCs have a 20 cm (8-inch) or smaller touch sensitive screen at a minimum resolution of 800 × 480. To make it more suited for the small form factor, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition is used with slight tweaks to the interface . In addition, a software suite known as the "Touch Pack Interface" is included to make the interface more suitable for use of a stylus as well as hands.

The Project Origami Ultra-Mobile PC is just a platform for which manufacturers can design any model they want, provided they meet or exceed the baseline specifications laid down by Intel and Microsoft. However, UMPCs are capable of running a full version of most PC operating systems. When the UMPC was disclosed at CeBIT 2006, Samsung, ASUS, and Founder had near-complete devices on display.

UMPCs with Windows XP installed are able to run any software that has been written for the Windows XP platform, though the small form factor often mandates some changes to the interface. The standard Windows XP interface is the default, though a choice of having an interface more suited for the small form factor is available with the "Touch Pack Interface". As the units are so small, many UMPCs do not feature a physical keyboard, but an on-screen virtual keyboard provided in the Touch Pack Interface. Also, since the device has standard USB 2.0 connectivity, external keyboards and mice can be attached.

UMPC devices include either Intel or VIA processors, 256 MB to 2 GB of RAM, and a 30 to 160 GB hard disk, depending on the manufacturer. Other ultra mobile devices feature AMD or Transmeta Crusoe CPUs. Ultra-Mobile PCs can also feature Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, webcams, fingerprint readers, stereo speakers, TV tuners, and memory card readers. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet and WWAN connections are sometimes included as well.

UMPCs have enough processing power to support audio, video, and gaming, in addition to having rich support for browsing the internet as well as for other communication and networking applications. Windows Media Player is included, with a special skin designed to provide a better experience on the small screen. The devices also feature DirectX 9–class graphics, and all applications available for standard Tablet PCs are expected to be compatible.

Prices of UMPCs are gradually coming down to the US$500 range. Battery life is expected to increase from the initial 2½ hours to 8 hours. [cite news|url=http://www.thechannelinsider.com/article/Microsoft+Preps+Ultramobile+PC+for+Second+Chance/181124_1.aspx|title=Microsoft Preps Ultramobile PC for Second Chance|publisher=eWeek Channel Insider|date=June 19 2006] Most UMPCs are now available with Windows Vista although many new UMPCs come with the option to have XP installed, as some devices are too sluggish to run Vista.One example of this is the Samsung Q1 Ultra which originally launched with only Vista versions, but has subsequently launched Windows XP versions. [cite news|url=http://www.pocketables.net/2007/08/new-samsung-q1-.html|title=New Samsung Q1 Ultra models ditch Vista for XP|publisher=Pocketables|date=August 28 2007] . This is largely due to the fact that current UMPC hardware is usually too close to the minimum Vista requirements to be comfortably used.

Pre-launch marketing campaign

In February 2006, a viral marketing campaign was quietly launched for the UMPC, then still referred to by its codename, "Project Origami". Speculation over "what is Origami?" and pictures of the rumored prototypes were passed around and covered extensively on Engadget, Scobleizer, [ [http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/2006/02/23/what-is-the-origami-project/ What is the Origami Project? « Scobleizer — Tech geek blogger ] ] Thatedeguy [ [http://www.thatedeguy.com/archives/2006/02/what-is-origami What is Origami? Microsoft's Origami Project | Thatedeguy ] ] and other technology sites. Finalization of the Origami project was announced in time to keep the excitement level high for CeBIT.

Much speculation positioned Origami as a portable gaming device that would directly compete with Nintendo's DS and Sony's PSP. This rumor gained credibility after videos were leaked showing "" being played on a UMPC. While the movie was quickly taken down from its original source, mirrors exist on many other sites. Later in the week, the Associated Press confirmed that "Origami" was actually to be a regular PC with "limited gaming capabilities". [cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060309/ap_on_hi_te/origami_unfolded_5;_ylt=AuWUS4JrWARgcFBhri0vdySi1SoA;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl|title=Microsoft Unveils Project Origami|publisher=Yahoo! News|date=9 March 2006]

DialKeys

A new text input method was implemented for the Ultra-Mobile PC. Consisting of two rings of keys around the lower corners of the screen, DialKeys is intended for use with the thumbs.

Available devices

First two devices

The list of UMPCs on the market is growing beyond the first two available UMPCs: AMtek's T700 and Samsung's Q1.

The AMtek T700 is sold in the USA as the "TabletKiosk eo v7110", "agoPC ago7", and "Azentek GB-810", in Europe as the "PaceBlade EasyBook P7" and "its Label Origami", and in Australia the "TabletKiosk eo v7110" and the "Pioneer DreamBook UMPC 700" and in Japan the "PBJ SmartCaddie".

2006

In late August 2006, TabletKiosk launched a line of Intel based UMPCs, the eo i7210 and i7209. They followed this up in March 2007 with a ruggedized VIA based UMPC, the eo TufTab v7112XT. [cite press release|title=TabletKiosk Now Shipping Sahara Slate PC i440D with Windows Vista|publisher=TabletKiosk|date=March 20 2007|url=http://www.tabletkiosk.com/company/press_releases.asp#tuftab]

OQO is also selling UMPCs. The OQO model 01 was actually launched well before the Ultra-Mobile PC craze began, but its specifications were very similar to the UMPC specifications.

In September 2006, Raon Digital launched the Vega running a AMD Geode LX800, 256MB of RAM, and a 30GB hard drive. It has a 4.3" screen, a 500MHz processor, and a battery life of 5.5 hours. It runs Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition and retails for 680,000 Korean won (U$700-750). However it does not have WiFi capability.

In early October 2006 Samsung quietly launched the Q1B, bringing the Ultra Mobile platform closer to the vision that Microsoft created. The Q1b features a VIA C7-M ULV processor running at 1GHz, up to 5 hours of battery life, and a lower price point than the Samsung Q1. It also has optional modules for HSDPA or WiBro for ubiquitous internet connectivity in major cities around the world. Also a new UMPC on the market is the T770 from AMtek. It is a Windows Vista powered device with a 1200MHz processor and 1024MB of RAM. It has a 40GB hard disk (or 60GB on another cheaper brand, and also the same device) and a 7" screen. It is available for 899€ (the cheaper brand is 849€).

2007

Wibrain [http://www.wibrain.com Welcome to Wibrain! ] ] launched the first UMPC model B1E and B1H in December 2007.

In 2007, Bill Gates [http://www.oqo.com/news/press_releases/2007-01-07_02_launch.html introduced] the OQO model 02 in [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFTVGi_6Zps his keynote at CES 2007] . The [http://www.oqo.com/products/index.html OQO model 02] is now shipping with a 5-inch/12.7-cm screen, EV-DO WWAN, Bluetooth, 802.11 a/b/g WiFi, running Microsoft Windows XP and Vista. OQO has won quite a few computer and design awards, including [http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/ Guinness World Records] recognition of OQO model 02 as [http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/mar2007/tc20070321_262804.htm the world's smallest fully functional computer] .

In August 2007, Raon Digital launched their second UMPC 'Everun' which has built in WiFi and HSDPA. It uses the AMD Geode LX900. Everun is introduced as the UMPC with the longest battery life—as much as 6-7 hours with its standard battery and 12 hours with a large battery.Unlike its previous model 'VEGA', Everun has a full qwerty key pad, aesthetically similar to a Smartphone, which appeals to the mobile commuter.

On September 17 2007, OQO launched the model e2 [http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/17/oqo-brings-the-oqo-model-e2-to-europe/ OQO brings the OQO model e2 to Europe] for the European audience with a localized keyboard, 1.6 GHz VIA C7-M processor, 120GB hard drive or a 32GB SSD option.

2008

Wibrain launched the 2nd models of B1L series with Ubuntu Linux on February 27, 2008. Their starting price is around $500.00. Wibrain UMPC features a 4.8 inch touch enabled LCD screen at 1024x600 resolution, a 1.0 GHz or 1.2 GHz VIA C7M CPU, 512MB or 1GB of memory, a 30GB or 60GB harddisk, a full qwerty keyboard and built-in WiFi(802.11b/g).

Around the same date, CHIP.DE [ [http://www.chip.de/news/c1_news_18962740.html CHIP.DE] ] featured an article about the R2H from ASUS, which runs a Windows Tablet PC edition OS on its Intel Celeron system. It has a VGA-TV output, GPS, 3 USB ports, 60GB hard drive and 512MB RAM. It also offers wired/wireless network capabilities. In Germany, its current price is €939 at Amazon.de.

In 2008, more and more computer companies are moving in to the 13.3 inch UMPC/subnotebook market. [ [http://asia.cnet.com/crave/2007/11/19/lg-makes-a-move-in-the-13-3-inch-market/ 13.3 inch more popular] ] 13.3 inch notebooks provide a good balance between workability and mobility, and are often also more powerful than 8.9-10 inch UMPCs. The 8.9-10 inch UMPCs (which include the Eee PC, OLPC, etc.) may soon prove tiresome to work on for extended periods of time. 13.3 inch notebooks, as well as Tablet PCs of at least 10 inch (tablet PCs feature more screen than comparable sized notebooks) are considered to have less a problem with this issue. Fact|date=October 2008 New companies that have come into the market are LG, Lenovo, Toshiba, Sony, Apple, MSI and Averatec.

In September 2008 Nova Mobility [ [http://www.novamobility.com Nova Mobility Systems Announces NEW Side Arm 2 UMPC] ] announced its second generation Side Arm 2 Industrial UMPC. This unit is designed around the Intel Atom processor and is the first industrial grade UMPC released on that platform. It has GPS, WiFi and Bluetooth standard and 3G as an option. You can also have EVDO via the PCI Express card slot in the top of the unit. 2 USB ports, 7" touch screen and one hand type able QWERTY keyboard are available and its under 2 lbs and you can get up to 10 hours of battery life.

Upcoming devices

Makers of the CPUs found in most Ultra-Mobile PCs, VIA & Intel, are stepping up efforts to create new processors and chipsets that could result in devices with one tenth the power consumption compared to today’s laptops in 2008. In particular, Intel's Atom processor (the successor to Steally), designed from the ground up to be lower power.

UMPC accessories

There are currently several companies developing accessories exclusively for the 7" UMPC platform. These include carry cases, screen protectors, styli, protective bump cases and docking stations. In addition, several prototypes of "mounting solutions" have been previewed which permit the UMPC device to be mounted in the car, on the wall or attached to an adjustable arm. User interface software that enables UMPC's to become portable "infotainment" devices is evolving. There are touch-friendly, voice-controlled, user interface software platforms designed to run on Windows XP and Vista-based UMPCs that allows users to control Windows without the need of a mouse and keyboard.

ee also

* Comparison of subnotebooks
* Mobile Internet Device (MID)
* Netbook
* Tablet PC
* Sling bag - a bag often used to transport UMPC's
* OQO
* Sunlight readable display
* TabletKiosk
* Subnotebook, small notebook computers in general
* Pandora, The first UMPC designed with gamers in mind.

References

External links

* [http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/umpc/default.mspx Microsoft's Official Ultra-Mobile PC Website]
* [http://www.umpcportal.com/products/ UMPC comparison website]