A new blog entry has been added:

UMPCs: The Promise and the Uncertainty Remain

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Layne P. Heiny / Administrator for Tux Reports Network

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Good point of view, I have very similar thinking about this. Let the consumer choose what they want to buy & use. Also choose what is the right name for these devices. I see you promoting Mobile PC or Mobile computer as "general term"

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Interested in UMPC's and trying to help to promote them to everyone with a twist of personality - via UMPC focused site/blog at: www.pimpmyumpc.com

Yes, Mobile PC is a general term and easier than getting mixed up in all of the others: Notebook PC, Alternative PC, Small PC ...

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Layne P. Heiny / Administrator for Tux Reports Network

Please do not send private messages requesting technical support. Place your request in the proper forum and hopefully someone can help you.

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Insane Politics

What would be your favorite setup for mobile pc? to me (from todays options), it would be a asus eeepc, or cloudbook with xp and internal 3g hsdpa.

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Interested in UMPC's and trying to help to promote them to everyone with a twist of personality - via UMPC focused site/blog at: www.pimpmyumpc.com

First off right now UMPC's barely are even considered a market.

"The market is not split betwen Intel and Microsoft - however - the market is split due to the inability of adults to work together for the better of the consumer."
That I do agree, there is a huge gap in what mainstream users want and what OEM's and the tech people think mainstream users want.


"So - what is the core issue?

No one has the answer to the perfect Mobile PC. Consumers are being ignored while manufacturers spit out products that fill one niche after another. "
The core issue is simple, how does mainstream use and prefer to use full windows? everyone uses a touch type keyboard with full windows so that is what UMPC's needs to have to get attention. That is not the sole issue but the other area is size. There are already over 113 million new laptops sold each year but that is the only option for a full keyboard full windows computer. What UMPC's need is a clamshell size that provides the ability to be small enough to carry in a jacket yet as large as possible given that limitation to provide the best screen and keyboard experience. Put it simply just make a modern Psion 5mx or HP Jornada 720 type form factor.


"Instead, manufacturers need to embrace the market by building a slim, touch-aware, ink-enabled system that has a range of screen sizes. The screen sizes need to range from pocketable systems to 17-inch screens. This range of screen sizes allows consumers to choose based on their needs."
This is close but not correct at all. Mainstream users do not want "ink enabled systems". We use full windows with a touch type keyboard. We do not want a thumb input, we do not want a pen input. The numbers after over a year prove that; only 350K sold in 2007.

"The price, therefore, becomes a factor with this mindset. Imagine an open system architecture in which people could pull parts off the shelf and customization becomes the norm - as it is with the desktop computers. Imagine being able to upgrade a system after a year of purchase has passed."
That would be cool but not likely practical. The real market is jacket size devices that have full windows and by cramming that much into that tiny of a space would likely not currently make upgrades very likely.


"Give the consumer choices and the consumer will buy."
Give consumers what we want a functional alternative to a laptop but with the same experience in input and function and yes we will buy. All the UMPC's OEM's keep copying the same type of form factors that have never sold. It has nothing to do with price, they all are incorrect for mainstream functionality.