There’s a confusing array of data tariffs available. Speeds, port limits, throttling and the usual array of footnotes. Until you have a true flat tariff there’s always a worry that either something won’t work, the data will get throttled, your images will get recompressed or you end up with a 1600 Euro bill! T-Mobile have just completed their HSDPA upgrades in Germany which means 7.2mbps down and 1.4mbps up (theoretical) is now the best you can get. At the IFA in Berlin (Aug 29th – Sept 3rd) T-Mobile will introduce […]

As I  look at the UMPCPortal product pages today I see something I have never seen before. The top 10 most popular devices, based on visitor clicks, are all notebooks. 4 of them are touchscreen convertibles but the rest are plain old low-cost, dare I say boring, netbooks. I knew it would happen at some point. Low-cost = Raised Eyebrows. We’re all suckers for a bargain but these are not the mobile devices I’d prefer to see high up on the list. Where’s the ever-useful Q1 Ultra or the MID-before-its-time […]

At CeBIT 2007, Intel revealed their ‘Menlow’ plans and told a room full of reporters that we’d be seeing sub 4W PCs in 2008. In March 2008 I asked Intel if they were on target and they told me that I’d be surprised. I am! I’m lucky enough to be testing a Menlow-based Gigabyte M528 (sample) this weekend and this evening I’ve been doing a battery life test. I’m listening to MP3’s streaming over Wifi through a java applet on the Firefox 3-based browser with the CPU averaging about 30% […]

This tickled me. A post on Friendfeed a short while ago… “As the iPhone begins to resemble and be used like a computer, we will have to contend with challenges like crashing and battery life.” [Steve Rubel] He’s right. Many people still assume that smartphones have excellent battery life compared to UMPCs. The reality is slightly less exciting if you use both devices for mobile Internet activities on a regular basis. Apart from having a little giggle, the comment also reminded me to check up on the reported iPhone 3G […]

I just cant wait any longer for that Kohjinsha SC3 to arrive. The videos and feedback from early tests have proven to me that this could be one of the best ultra mobile PC / mini-notebooks yet. Its tiny, light, well-specified and looks great. The question we are all asking though is…”How good will Vista run.” We’re one step closer to the answer today because I’ve just recieved a set of CrystalMark test results from DFJ. I believe this is the first ever set of test results for a production […]

Expansys sent over their demo M528 for me to take a look at. Thanks guys! As you can see, it looks fantastic. Unfortunately it’s running a very early software build so I can’t make any valid comments about its UI, software suite and performance and so I won’t be putting that part of if under the microscope. Disappointing, I know, but i’m just happy to have it in my hands and not have to battle with exhibition crowds at the same time. More after the pics…

‘Atom performance better than expected’ ‘Great battery life’ ’15mm keyboard pitch difficult’ Apart from the keyboard, which I’m prepared to adapt to if this baby performs, its getting better every day. This is definitely a ultra mobile PC and not a netbook! Video from wowpow blog who haven’t announced this video yet so expect a new blog entry soon. Click the image for more info on the SC3

Before we discuss, let it be known that this is only a performance rating!!!   These figures come from an image that Conics took of the SC3 yesterday. They’ve surprised me somewhat. Are we looking at a device that could be as spritely as a Q1 Ultra Premium? SC3 Processor – 2.7 Memory – 4.2 Graphics – 2.9 Gaming – 3.0 HDD – 4.3 Q1 U P Processor – 2.9 Memory – 4.4 Graphics – 2.3 Gaming – 2.8 HDD – 3.6 Remember the SC3 uses a Z520 at 1.33Ghz […]