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That’s the main question Daniel Gentleman asks readers in a very good article where he explains the differences between UMPCs and MIDs. Even when the title of his article could sound more like a Windows-Linux debate,  it’s more between what works better for you in your everyday Internet Mobile needs, a shrunk PC or a non-PC.  Here is a comparison from Daniel’s article that you can use to find what is better for you.

Now we have two potential mobile Internet solutions: Shrink a PC down to where it is mobile yet still usable (a UMPC) or build a non-PC device from the ground up (a MID or Internet Tablet) specifically for mobile Internet use.
Shrinking a PC

• Advantages

  • Familiar interface

  • Vast commercial software base (supported by the software developers)

  • Vast expansion options and greater likelihood that your device will have compatible drivers

• Disadvantages

  • Cost of PC class hardware

  • Cost of commercial operating system license

  • Constant compromises in either speed, size, or battery life. 

Building a mobile Internet device

• Advantages

  • All hardware, software, and user interaction built to go together

  • Cheaper hardware and no operating system licensing costs

  • Wide community-based software and support

• Disadvantages

  • Limitations in function

  • Learning curve for new interface and software

  • Often not as user-friendly as full PCs (either in interface or in application support)

Editor’s Note: For me the answer is only one: a UMPC. I need more than Internet even in my daily job as news editor of this and other pages. I need to be able to manipulate pictures, run tools like Windows Live Writer, Frontpage, etc. For me to have a few “ported” applications is not enough if I can have virtually millions of them free or commercial. In my case going with Linux would be like going back to Windows CE. The reason why I bought my first UMPC was because the Pocket PC Platform was not powerful enough to cover all my needs. So… why go back to that same situation but with a different OS, in this case Linux which practically does not have any support.

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ctitanic (739 Posts) - Website | Twitter | Facebook

Working as IT Professional since 1994. IT Manager since 1999. Microsoft Most Valuable Professional in Tablet PC/UMPC since 2007. Owner/writer of www.ultramobilepc-tips.com . Published many articles in todoUMPC Magazine, www.todoUMPCmagazine.com, the first online magazine all about UMPCs. Maker of Tweaks2K2, a registry hacking tool for Pocket PC devices (www.tweaks2k2.com).