UMPC. The end of PPC or a well balance technology between ppc and Laptops?

03-12-06, 02:45 PM

Microsoft has lauched Ultra-Mobile PC along with Samsun and Asus, and probably others companies that will join the UMPC technology soon. Check out this link about UMPC and its future: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/f...-09Mobile.mspx

(I think this news should be place at the home page...just a thought):approve:

AKAJohnDoe · 03-12-06, 03:13 PM

The very idea of proprietary software+hardware platform in a legacy OS environment such as Microsoft being successful long-term!

frankenbike · 03-12-06, 03:31 PM

It's got potential. I can see some real variation in size possible, including current PDA sizes for a true "Pocket PC", instead of the currently handicapped models with limited software availability.

I think it was inevitable. The current PPC market is headed toward integrated phone/PDAs, which have more utility both as business and personal tools. It would be even more useful if these new devices have a user upgradable, independent OS (the beauty of true PCs), instead of having to rely on the generosity of manufacturers to upgrade the OS, which they aren't very motivated to do since it would cut into new sales.

Something like a PSP running true Windows software would be pretty powerful.

Jukov · 03-12-06, 04:34 PM

Are they pda killers? Well think of it this way - will you be keeping (and using) your pda when you get one of these? I wouldn't

wshinds · 03-12-06, 04:54 PM

I've got a long warranty on my 51v. I won't transition to these things for a coons age.

-Scott

walkerbroadcas · 03-12-06, 05:31 PM

While UMPCs are intriguing products, I still don't see them as being PDA killers except for the very high end.

Why but a Palm Life Drive if you can get a UMPC for a little more?

But for the day to day organizing and other tasks that we already use our PDAs for, none of the early reports suggests that UMPCs have the functionality so closely linked to the PDA market.

Bill Gates said he wanted them to have "instant on." Unless I've missed it, none of them currently have that feature. So if is still has to boot up, it will take to long for the PDA market and you might as well use your laptop. But how many people use their laptops the way they use a PDA? Not many.

That's one of the things that continue to make PDAs viable, they act more like a paper based organizer when you need to access or enter information. Which is another reason people don't use their laptops for its PIM features.

It would take to long and drain the battery every time you had a reminder come on or wanted to look up a phone number or jot down a quick note.

See? Might as well stick with your PDA that does all of that quickly and easily.

So, I don't see them as in the same market. PDAs do what they do very well, that's why we have them. Laptops aren't good at that sort of thing, even if they are soon to be in a smaller package.

Nobody buys a computer to get more "organized" but that is the main reason people buy PDAs.

I do think it will attract PDA users when they go to get a new laptop and want a smaller form function (that reminds them of their PDA) at a possibly cheaper price.

I'd buy one as a laptop replacement because I like the concept of a smaller form factor TabletPC that allows me to do "real" computer work when needed.

But I would never consider it a replacement for my PDA for all the things only my PDA can do and, despite miscellaneous gripes, does very well.

runnr548 · 03-12-06, 05:49 PM

My pocket PC fits my pocket. I'd need to buy pants like rappers wear to keep a UMPC in one. LOL As for me...technology improvements are great, and I desire all the new "toys", but try to keep my head also. I would buy one instead of a notebook; but not to replace my Axim.

masadler · 03-12-06, 06:02 PM

From the techno-evolving sense this lloks more like the next step for tablet PCs than PPCs. Like Walkerbroadcas above it would require me to make too many changes to that part of life I currently assit with my PDA. I use my Axim as a portable office for class:
o-Showing simple Powerpoint slides
o-Keeping class and personal records
o-Syncing my office and home PCs
o-Entertaining myself on trips
. . . Just to name a few.
The UMPC is a bit more PC than I need to accomplish these tasks. I see the non-industrial applications of UMPC in sales & travel services. For my needs I'd go to the "mobile desktop" version ala Alienware's laptops.

OK .. my 2cents
Cheers from Dallas Texas

03-12-06, 06:03 PM

Put it to you like this. I won't be getting rid of my x50 when this thing drops. It does look pretty sweet though.

03-12-06, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by walkerbroadcas

While UMPCs are intriguing products, I still don't see them as being PDA killers except for the very high end.

Why but a Palm Life Drive if you can get a UMPC for a little more?

But for the day to day organizing and other tasks that we already use our PDAs for, none of the early reports suggests that UMPCs have the functionality so closely linked to the PDA market.

Bill Gates said he wanted them to have "instant on." Unless I've missed it, none of them currently have that feature. So if is still has to boot up, it will take to long for the PDA market and you might as well use your laptop. But how many people use their laptops the way they use a PDA? Not many.

That's one of the things that continue to make PDAs viable, they act more like a paper based organizer when you need to access or enter information. Which is another reason people don't use their laptops for its PIM features.

It would take to long and drain the battery every time you had a reminder come on or wanted to look up a phone number or jot down a quick note.

See? Might as well stick with your PDA that does all of that quickly and easily.

So, I don't see them as in the same market. PDAs do what they do very well, that's why we have them. Laptops aren't good at that sort of thing, even if they are soon to be in a smaller package.

Nobody buys a computer to get more "organized" but that is the main reason people buy PDAs.

I do think it will attract PDA users when they go to get a new laptop and want a smaller form function (that reminds them of their PDA) at a possibly cheaper price.

I'd buy one as a laptop replacement because I like the concept of a smaller form factor TabletPC that allows me to do "real" computer work when needed.

But I would never consider it a replacement for my PDA for all the things only my PDA can do and, despite miscellaneous gripes, does very well.

I think just about the same. This is somewhere between PDA and laptop, but if it was going to replace one of the two for me, it would be the laptop.

AKAJohnDoe · 03-12-06, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by walkerbroadcas

Why but a Palm Life Drive if you can get a UMPC for a little more?

The real question is 'why either'? No real advantage over a PDA and significant disadvantages over a laptop. Both fall into the category of unnecessary niche products for me.

walkerbroadcas · 03-12-06, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by AKAJohnDoe

The real question is 'why either'? No real advantage over a PDA and significant disadvantages over a laptop. Both fall into the category of unnecessary niche products for me.

Don't get me wrong. I CAN see the advantage of the LifeDrive's 4 gig hard drive.

I wish Dell (or someone, ANYONE) would give Pocket PC owners this option instead of our current cobbled together storage of Compact Flash and SD cards.

Geez, even the cheapest iPod has more internal memory than we do. And if Palm could do, why can't a PPC maker? My wife's x50v with the CF and SD cards in their slots weighs about the same as the LifeDrive.

Anyway, I digress into one of my new favorite rants.

I think we need Pocket PC owners need to see some innovation in our ranks, but with the vastly reported "decline" of PDA sales overall, I'm not sure we will.

With all of that said, I just don't think the UMPCs, as cool as they are, can currently come close to all the great things we can accomplish quickly and easily with our PDAs, even with our meager 64 or 128 K of storage.:approve:

AKAJohnDoe · 03-12-06, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by walkerbroadcas

I CAN see the advantage of the LifeDrive's 4 gig hard drive.

I briefly owned a Palm LifeDrive. I found it too big (physically), too slow, too mechanical (give me non-mechanical storage on a portable device anyday), and otherwise pretty cool.

Given the capacities available on CF cards currently and soon to be available on SD cards, I think the 4GB is rather meager. I have to agree, though, that given the capacities available that the on-board storage on most PDAs is also rather meager.

Seems to me that a PDA with 4GB to 8GB of on-board storage, dual SD/CF slots, and a physical fottprint equal to the current X50V would be better (for me anyway).