The UMPCs are coming
Bill Gates and Intel CEO Paul Otellini set the stage last year with discussion about the Haiku and Ruby ultra-mobile prototypes. These ultra-mobile handheld computers fueled a lot of anticipation and discussion over the year as it began to look like such devices might be appearing sooner rather than later. Microsoft discussed the Ultra-mobile Lifestyle PC with partners last week and hinted that an announcement might be forthcoming from OEMs very soon. TG Daily has reported that Samsung, Asus and Founder will launch UMPCs this quarter, with a second wave of devices released in the second half of 2006 by LGE, ACER and Averatec. This second “generation” of devices will reportedly run Windows Vista, according to the article.
It is unknown what these UMPCs will likely cost, but with Intel backing the design it is almost certain that there will be good wireless support in whatever chipset is used. I know I am very excited about the UMPCs because when the price range gets down around the $500 mark as put forth by Microsoft at the Partner briefing, these devices will definitely go mainstream. And that’s a very good thing for both OEMs and consumers.
What does this mean to OQO & cPC?
OQO is set to launch model 02 this fall (Aug, or Sep/Dec) probably w/ next gen intel mobile chip, yet still (likely) costs around $2,000.
And cPC is said to be released in April w/ a $1,500 price tag.
UMPC for $500 and runs full version of windows? hmmm… gotta be a catch somewhere.
Much earlier than I expected (years earlier in fact). I don’t believe they’ll achieve $500 though. So if second gen says they will run Vista, does this mean the first gen will run Windows XP tablet? Samsungs offering could be interesting, I like their other mini products
I don’t buy the whole $500 price point either. I think they will priced along the same line as the Sony U series, and I thought that was priced about right. My fear is that a low price point like $500 would tempt the OEMs to cut corners on features.