Since the launch of ‘Origami’ in March 2006, there have been many varying reports about what an Ultra Mobile PC is and why someone might buy one. This guide has been written to help those looking at ultra-mobile PC’s with a view to buying one. Its a long report but we guess that if you’re considering spending over $500 on a UMPC, you’ll want to read and learn as much as you can.
What is an Ultra Mobile PC?
Mobile computing is nothing new. For many years there have been small and portable PC’s. The notebook computer has been a very successful mobile form factor and is the result of the merging of power-efficient technology and a real user need for mobility. Ultra-Mobile computing can be seen as the next step up in mobility. An Ultra Mobile PC is device small enough to fit into a carryable sized casing (generally not pocketable,) uses a reduced-size screen and often uses small keyboards and/or alternative input methods such as natural text writing, voice and touch panels. In 2006, the currently available technology was, for the first time, allowing ultra-mobile computers to be built running an off-the-shelf desktop operating system with a flexible applications suite at a consumer level cost. This, combined with the shrinking of the Pocket PC market has resulted in an increase in market activity for Ultra Mobile PCs. This trend looks to continue as technology develops further, the market matures and users become more familiar with mobile usage of the Internet. Further hardware advances during 2006 and 2007 along with market growth and manufacturer confidence are resulting in a wider range of designs and more choice in terms of features.
There is no strict definition of an Ultra-Mobile PC. Ultra-portable, handtop and web-pad are all similar terms but most of the marketing so far seems to be focusing on the term Ultra-Mobile PC. (UMPC) Our definition is as follows:
A highly portable hand-held computing device with 4-10″ screen, wired and wireless connectivity that is able to load and run common internet, office, media and information applications operated through a graphical user interface.
Microsoft use the acronym ultra mobile PC to refer to ultra-mobile PC’s that conformed to the Origami baseline specification of March 2006 but this has now evolved and the term Origami now refers to software group within Microsoft responsible for developing and promoting UMPC-focused software on the Microsoft Vista operating system. The Wikipedia entry for UMPC is slightly out of date now and refers to the 2006 standards.
At UMPCPortal, we use the term Ultra-Mobile PC and its acronym ultra mobile PC to refer to the more generic definition shown above. Simply put an ultra-mobile PC is a ultra mobile PC by definition! We’ve found that there are two distinct categories of device. The tablet-based ultra mobile PC which has no keyboard and the mini-notebook ultra mobile PC which includes a keyboard or thumbboard.
Previously we said that UMPC’s use currently available technology.’ Although there are exceptions, the consumer targeted ultra mobile PC use current technology in order to be price competitive. This means that you won’t find anything special in terms of performance in a UMPC. They are no more powerful than many budget notebook PC’s. In some cases the only differentiating factor between a ultra mobile PC and a budget notebook PC is the form factor of the device. It causes a lot of confusion as at present, the price of a ultra mobile PC is higher than budget notebooks. If you can understand that the difference is the form-factor and its mobility then you understand what a ultra mobile PC is all about. The form-factor and its mobility advantages are the only unique selling points. In 2008 it is expected that the ultra mobile PC market will be big enough to warrant a separate line of processors and chipsets from Intel, VIA and AMD. Intel have already announced a ultra mobile PC specific CPU and chipset range and similar developments are expected from VIA and AMD. This will break UMPCs away from having to use notebook technology and will help in providing optimised components for more advanced devices.
Who needs a UMPC?
This is obviously a difficult question to answer and one that will be asked many times by people looking at this new segment. The answer is ‘those that want the advantages of full computing mobility.’ Those that want full computing mobility are a fast growing group of people. Through the use of notebook PCs at home, some internet access on mobile phones and a general understanding that notebooks tend to be heavy and mobile phones tend to have tiny screens not quite good enough for a full Internet, video or input experience, people are being drawn to the richer experience being offered by UMPCs. As a second PC in the home a ultra mobile PC can make the perfect choice. There are even UMPCs that can be used as the main home PC and as technology advances, the ultra mobile PC could form the core part of a modular personal mobile PC at work, home and in many new mobile situations.
I am looking for a UMPC with a dial up modem or PCMCIA slot. Can you help me? Thanks.
Mistake on page 4: “The recommendation today is that XP is generally better than XP on currently available hardware due to the maturity of the driver software.”
Great article.