With business and consumer PCs available today under 3lbs, we're starting to see a greater diversity of applications -- including for entertainment. Microsoft's Ultra-Mobile PC website states, "Have more fun on the go." Intel.com lists, "Be entertained with videos, games, music, pictures or TV on the go."
Using a PC for entertainment is familiar to people. The new aspect is the mobility. Luckily, with Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate (consumer SKUs) there are some great out-of-the box experiences for entertainment -- even entertainment while you're moving around or disconnected from the Internet.
Windows Media Center is a great example of this ready-to-go entertainment application. You can find it on your start menu. Because I have been using it regularly on this UMPC, Windows Media Center is available at the touch of a button.

Windows Media Center is available with Ultra-Mobile PCs using Windows Vista Home Premium or Ultimate Editions.
Even though Windows Media Center is designed for you to use with a traditional PC with TV, you can easily use it with your UMPC. First, you'll need a tuner. I use an Adaptec Dual TV Tuner. It was designed for Windows XP and connects to the UMPC via USB cable. It works and that is what is important to me, at the moment. If I were getting something today, however, I'd probably get something like the Pinnacle PCTV HD Pro Stick, as it is wireless. The Adaptec tuner allows me to record radio or television onto the UMPC with all the regular convenience of Media Center, then the benefit of 2lb UMPC allows me to carry that media with me wherever I go and watch or listen whenever I want.
The display resolution on UMPCs is typically 800x480, which is not as high as many PCs. You'll quickly find that the 10 foot user interface really does work well for that UMPC that is only 10 inches away from you.

Windows Media Center on a UMPC with 800x480 display resolution.
Using my finger or stylus, I can easily navigate to the categories I want to go in. The open, minimize, and close buttons are a little tiny, but their size is by no means a show stopper.
The other day I recorded a movie that I can access by tapping Recorded TV:

Select the Recorded TV button to access stored content.
I can easily store movies on an external USB hard drive and move them onto the UMPC for viewing when I have some down time.


Movie details and settings.
This movie I started to watch already, and can just click Resume to continue playing. Notice how large the target area for these buttons are. If I am still connected to the tuner, I can use the remote control to select. Since I am not right now, I'll again just use my finger to tap Resume.

When I recorded the movie from TV, I saved it in "Good" quality. It was standard digital, hot HDTV and played in fullscreen, not widescreen. The replay quality of the movie is great for watching at my convenience. I can watch a few minutes here and there -- no matter what location I'm in, as long as I have a little battery power.
If you're going to watch full-length movies on your UMPC while traveling, I do suggest turning off extra applications that aren't being used to conserve battery power for your viewing pleasure.
Time for popcorn. :)
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