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 […]

There it is! The first ever retail Menlow-based device to be unboxed. It’s Atom, but not as the Netbook-fans know it! Silverthorne and Poulsbo enable some serious notebook midgetry. Wow-Pow blog picked one up from Conics.net (which I think are one and the same people) and made a presentation video. It looks great. Smaller than any 7" notebook so far. Check out the video and then hop over to the site where there’s said to be some review action going on soon. How will Vista perform? Whats the battery life? […]

Energy efficiency is, without a doubt, the most important design factor for any pocketable Ultra Mobile device. On Friday this week, there are two very important launch events taking place that will highlight the advances made in energy efficient computing over the last year. The two devices will also show how us close Intel and ARM partners really are in the race to provide handheld, Internet-focused computers. MIDs. On one side of the fence, in PC land, Sharp and Willcom will release a pocketable slider-keyboard mobility-focused device. The Sharp Willcom […]