Just a quick thought on integrated GPS modules in ultra mobile PC devices. Especially if you are thinking about the ASUS R2H. If you have a car like mine that has a UV filter on the front windscreen, there’s a chance that a GPS receiver may not work.  Here’s just one reference from this PDF. Note: Certain vehicles (in particular top specification BMW, Mercedes, Renault Peugeot & Citroen) have UV screens that block the GPS signals from entering the vehicle, which can stop [the product] from acquiring its position. These vehicles require […]

UMPCs for Kids! $100 UMPCs! 1 million UMPCS go into production! [update. The CM1 is now called the 2B1. Read more here.] No, I haven’t gone mad. You havent missed any big news. I’m just writing about the One laptop per child project which has been brought to my attention by reader Michael who is asking – Is the $100 device a UMPC? So to kick-off, here’s my definition of a UMPC. A highly portable computing device with 5-10″ screen, wired and wireless connectivity that is able to load and […]

We held-off posting about this yesterday because, to be honest, the news about the ASUS R2H didn’t really seem to offer anyone any more than they already knew.

The R2H was announced on the ASUS global news sites so we can at least be sure that they’re still working on it but there’s no press release, no pricing and no dates yet. Other country-specific ASUS websites aren’t even showing the news so expect local press releases as it goes up on the local websites.

The only thing you can glean from the information is that the R2H will probably be offered in different configurations with the baseline model having 256MB RAM and a 20GB disk. Enough for web-based browsing and applications but certainly not Vista capable. In fact, the low-end model could be there just as a low-price entry point intended to steal the limelight from other Origami UMPCs.

The previously announced fingerprint sensor, single sign-on software, GPS module and other specs remain the same apart from the weight which seems to have gone up rather alarmingly to 830kg!!!

The news release is available [url=http://www.asus.com/news_show.aspx?id=4070]here[/url]

OK, the prediction was right. (see previous post) At last, Asus have formally announced the R2H UMPC. The important ‘unknowns’ are: Price: Unknown Availability: Unknown Other specs are as were previously announced and available for a good 3 months, apart from the RAM which has dropped to a baseline 256MB. Thanks to aquabubble and jkOnTheRun for the nudge. Thanks to ASUS for no new news whatsoever. I assume it will appear in the products section of the websites later today though so keep an eye out. update: It could be a […]

Through GottaBeMobile I see that Digit-Life has reported that the R2H will be launched today. There’s nothing on the ASUS news sites around the world yet and Friday is a strange day to be launching a product. Maybe the launch team fancied going out tonight to celebrate a long long project! More news later I hope. Asus R2H data-sheet. Steve / Chippy. View details of all Ultra Mobile devices in the ultra mobile PC product database. From N800 to Flybook V5, its all there!

UMPCs aren’t at the $500 mark yet but hold on, have you seen the price of some smartphones that are around at the moment. The top-end HTC keyboard-equipped models cost well over $700 which makes a fully-equipped ultra mobile PC at $899 seem like very good value. And now this. A 1Ghz Toshiba notebook at $2275. Can I just compare the Dynabook SS S30 specs to an ASUS R2H for a second please. Differences in brackets.1Ghz processor (ASUS – 900Mhz)30Gb drive (ASUS – 40Gb)512MB RAM (snap!)Weight 1.2kg (ASUS – 1kg)Fingerprint […]

Pay attention everyone. We posted the HiPad news on Monday while Engadget were still in bed! BUMP! The Data Sheet is also in the product portal now. And did you miss the review notes for the Founder Mininote/Tabletkiosk i7210? Maybe it was so unexciting that it wasn’t worth talking about? OK I’ll give you that one! But moving swiftly on to new news, Kevin Tofel and JKK are comparing the Q1 to the e0 v7110 using Battery Eater. Notes here. If I can keep my fingers off the 7210 for the […]

People have been sending me ultra mobile PC images. Thanks! I’m enjoying them. Maybe some of those Circuit City salespeople that jkOnTheRun were talking about should have this as a bookmark. All potential notebook buyers should be asked ‘What do you really want to do with it?’ and then shown the images. I’ve posted them up at the gallery here. Max 640×480 for guests but some are larger. If you want a copy of the big versions, please register in the gallery. Keep sending in the pics. Regards Steve / Chippy. View […]