The UMPCs
Based on the above requirements I’ve picked out two ultra mobile PC devices that would be ideal for occasional PC-reading duties and I’ve highlighted a few more UMPCs based on one or two key features.
The X70 is one of the latest in the recent range of Viliv UMPCs. Its based around a ‘slate’ design and runs Windows XP Home on a 1.3Ghz (1.1Ghz also available) Intel Atom processor. The screen is a 7 inch touch-capable part with 1024×600 resolution. Battery life for the ebook usage scenario (wifi/blutooth off. no other applications running) would be between 6 and 8 hours depending on screen brightness. Storage ranges from a 32GB SSD to 60GB hard drive and there is an option for built-in 3G. You’re getting a great tablet-style ultra mobile PC with web camera, SD card slot, USB transfer port, Wifi, BT, video-out (with optional cable) and a built-in GPS. Clearly this device isn’t designed just for ebook reading but at 660gm this is an exceptional ultra-mobile PC that can be used for ebooks. Prices start at $599.
As of this week, the Archos 9 is available to order from the Archos store. As with the X70 this is a ‘slate’ design running on the 1.1Ghz Intel Atom CPU. The screen is a 9 inch touchscreen with 1024×600 DPI making default font sizes a little larger than on the X70. Battery life is estimated to be 4-5hrs in the ‘ebook’ mode. The Archos 9 runs Windows 7 starter edition and includes Wifi, Bluetooth, 60Gb storage and a web cam. As a ultra mobile PC it’s not expected to be as fast as the X70 EX above but for e-reading and web browsing, this may not come into your equation. The weight is 800gm. Pricing is $499 / $499 Euro.
The All-Rounder
The ASUS T91 is one of the few convertible touchscreen netbooks on the market and the only one to come in at under 1KG. As an ebook reader it’s not light but this is a device you could use for the whole range of computing activities from desktop to sofa. As with the X70 it’s build on a 1.3Ghz Intel Atom platform. The screen is 8.9 inch with 1024×600 resolution. It includes a touch-layer. Battery life is estimated at 5+ hours in e-reader mode. Storage is split between the 16GB of built-in SSD and a 16GB SD card that is supplied with the device. Weight is 960gm and the price is currently at about $490 / 430 Euros.
Lightweight choice.
At 395gm the Viliv S5 is one of the lightest slate-style UMPCs available. There are others available but none that have the battery life of the Viliv S5. It’s estimated that you’ll get over 6 hours of reading time with a clean Viliv S5. On the downside is a 5 inch screen and a slightly dense feeling despite the light weight. The S5 is available with SSD or standard hard drive, includes GPS, Wifi, Bluetooth and a useful set of controls. The base model comes with the 60GB hard drive and costs $549.
I’ll be the first to admit that none of these are true e-reader devices but if you’re looking to combine a portable PC with web, media, audio, storage, desktop quality web and all the other possibilities that come with a Windows desktop operating system, all four of these devices are worth looking at.
The Future.
There’s a platform being developed by Intel called Moorestown. It is initially being built for pocketable devices that will run the Intel-sponsored Moblin operating system but in late 2010 we should see a version of this that is Windows capable. The great thing about Moorestown is that it’s optimised for idling which is exactly the scenario an e-book reader finds itself in most of the time. Throw Moorestown together with a next-generation low-power transflective screen technology and you’ll be looking at a device that really could challenge dedicated ebook reader devices out there. 2010 is a long way away though. If Amazon release Kindle for Android tomorrow the tack changes very rapidly and gives ARM-based devices a big head start. Having used the Archos 5 Internet Tablet with Android with a couple of reader applications now I’d be quite excited to add the Kindle features to it.
Have you had experience using UMPCs to read books or comics? If so, let us know in the comments below.
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New article: What's the best PC for the Amazon Kindle PC software? http://cli.gs/531N0
New article: What's the best PC for the Amazon Kindle PC software? http://cli.gs/531N0 (via @chippy)
What's the best PC for the Amazon Kindle PC software? | UMPCPortal …: Ebooks are a big, complex topic and.. http://bit.ly/Ke7Ww
@chippy FYI My Kindle Honey Do (http://cli.gs/EzgUX) discusses your recent article http://bit.ly/OyKMJ
I think the Archos 9 is looking like a great Kindle computer. At $500 US it is twice the cost of the Kindle but you get a pull pc that is still relatively small and light. Now if only it had multi touch…
Isn’t amazing how many Steves we have here! . . .
I have tried several times to get used to reading magazines and books on a electronic device. I have found Kindle to be my fav for books but I just cannot get used to reading color mags on any UMPC, tablet, etc.
I guess that is mainly because I carry out nearly all of my book/mag reading in bed and, apart from the Kindle, I have not found anything that suits me.
I am waiting for the ‘new’ tablets to come out.
Th CrunchPad look like it might be great but with so much hype followed by so much silence, I am not sure we will ever see this device.
I am looking for a light, touch device about the size of a foolscap sheet of paper. Certainly not miniature but certainly portable.
I have written about my idea tablet at: http://nanosnotes.blogspot.com/2009/10/whats-in-tablet.html for anyone interested.
PS. Great article, Chippy!
If I were a Windows person, I’d probably go for Acer’s new convetible table (1420p or something like that). Under $1000, convertible tablet, good hardware options, HDMI _and_ VGA out, 12″ screen (slightly larger than I want, but could work). That’s probably what I’d pick for running the Amazon software.
Though … I’d rather have that device, in a 10″ screen size, with dual-booting Android and Ubuntu … and Amazon software for Android and/or Ubuntu. Or maybe Android and Maemo.
OH,and, if Apple would put out a 10″ tablet that runs real Mac OS X … Amazon confirmed (over on engadget) that they’re working on this same software for the Mac.
So … yeah, Amazon e-reader for Android, Ubuntu, Maemo, and/or OS X … on a 10″ tablet. That’s what I’d want.
What about the oqo? It had an active digitizer, sure, and they were expensive, but now that oqo’s out of business those things go for dirt cheap on e-bay!
I have an Oqo 02 and really love it but I think an Everun (the original one) would be better
The Oqo is too expensive and the rotation needs the screen to be opened.
Also the wacom pen while very good for most actions are a little odd while reading
Great article. I have looked and wanted every one of these devices. I used to have a Samsung q1 1st gen and I loved it. I am having a difficult time deciding what I want to replace it with. I will use it mostly for reading.
I recently received my 5″ ebook reader with an E Ink screen. With a 200 dpi resolution (600×800) and 160 gram weight it is just excellent for displaying reflowable text and grey-scale images that aren’t too big. It is not usable for all PDF material without somehow preparing them beforehand and operation can be slow sometimes, but due to its bistable screen and specialized low-power hardware I expect it will need its second charge sometime *next month* instead of topping it up daily!
I have read some books on my desktop PC before, but not on my netbook. It just hasn’t got the right form factor and weight for ubiquitous usage. Pocketability and longevity is the key for me. Of the devices mentioned here, the Viliv S5 could be a contender, but the Archos 5 seems to be even better. For now though, I’ll be using my sub-200 euro E Ink reader that nearly eliminates the usual worry of battery life!
Which brand of ebook did you get?
It is the Bebook Mini sold by the Dutch company Endless Ideas BV; it is a clone of Hanlin eReader V5 (made by Jinke). Americans and Canadians can also find it under the name EZ Reader Pocket PRO, sold by Astak.
With text size and pdf capability primary concerns, I waited for the Kindle DX, and found that its pdf capability, along with its keyboard, were abysmal. In fact it would have been better without the pdf capability, since its presence prevented the pdf file conversion service from functioning. It did work very well for best-seller fiction, however, where you can buy, download, read and discard quickly.
While it’s possible that a dedicated ebook reader could handle pdf files well, there is little incentive to worry much about pdf at the design stage.
It seems to be much better to start with a superior Windows pdf reader program, such as Foxit for Windows, and run it on the kind of machine you mention above. I have a Viliv X70, and it works well.
One plus of this approach is that the Foxit reader program can be preferenced for different text/background color combinations. Both white text on a blue background and yellow text on a black background are simply gorgeous.
Regards, Don
@nakaori Read my other article about the Kindle PC software. It talks about requirements. http://bit.ly/2mu8ig
Couple of weeks ago i stepped on my beloved Dell Axim X30i – which i jused for ebook reading only.
People dont believe me, but it was great reading on this little device – and i dont wanna go back to “hardware” books.
Right now i am looking (or waiting) for a new device:
5″ oder 7″, lightweight, gps, 3g, 64gb ssd – for a price around the archos 5.
Android oder Windows (CE) doesnt matter.
It will be used mainly as an ebook reader and as an umpc when i am on the way.
I know i am dreaming when you look at my dreamprice right know, but i want to wait until early 2010 – hope there will be a proper device available.
Regards