Lora discussed usage of Tablet PCs and UMPCs on What Is New. Hidden between the lines are important ideas about expectations of product and actual usage scenarios.
Have UMPCs met your expectations? What would you change about the UMPC to meet your expectations?
In my mind, Ultra Mobile PCs are the ultimate PC. A user has a complete computer system, capable of handling written notes, spoken words, image capturing, reading PDFs, and even entertainment.
The size is a little small for me - but I am unique in wanting a bigger screen and lighter weight (longer battery life, too). Friends tell me this is different from the current trends. Lora refers to the NEC slate - speed that puppy up, add more USB ports - and I would be a happy user.
Yet, I imagine a thin slate that is modular. Instead of docking the slate - as Lora discusses - I expect to quickly add the devices needed (via USB). For example, I need more hard drive space and simply attach my 300 GB external hard drive. When more screen space is needed then my 22-inch monitor is connected. When I need performance, then a ReadyBoost USB stick is added.
Because of my need (or desire) to add to the UMPC quickly - if I could change one thing about the systems - it would be a desire for more USB ports. Wouldn't it be great if these devices could be added wirelessly?
All of my interests in expanding the UMPC are because my expectations are not met. But this is also because of the way I work. I move between jobs requiring different roles and tasks to be completed (dad, teacher, student, and webmaster). After considering my actions carefully, each role is completed on a different machine because no single machine can handle everything required of my day's tasks.
The closest I come to working efficiently is to carry a 2GB USB stick with important documents. I wish the UMPC could handle everything and I just kept it on all day long (connecting and disconnecting to devices when they are needed).
How about you? Has the UMPC met your expectations? Would you use the UMPC more if one thing was changed?
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