The Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) is supposed to fill the gap between a Pocket PC and a laptop. One of it's main focus is to provide a better multimedia experience than the Pocket PC while keeping the size down to that of a hardbound book. With Samsung's US release of their UMPC, the Q1, several reviews have just been published. Walt Mossberg of the Wall Street Journal has slammed the device in his review here. Reading his columns regularly, I know he is not a fan of Microsoft, he is clearly pro Apple, so you need to take what he says with a grain of salt and read between the lines. I have not played with a UMPC but Walt does make some good points, the two top ones I agree with, are screen resolution and battery life. On the other end of the spectrum Personal Computer World gives the UMPC 4 out of 5 stars in their review here although they question the long term viability of this segment.
I think there is a place for the UMPC as more capable than the Pocket PC but in a package that is easy to carry in a small bag, however at the $1000+ price point it is a dud. Microsoft's rumored price point goal is about $500, I think they have it right. I love the fact that they chose the Tablet OS, I know everyone is still clamoring for attached keyboards (myself included) but I have fallen in love with my Lenovo X41 Tablet. Change is always hard. Moving away from a keyboard takes some getting use to, but I believe the handwriting recognition has come of age with the Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005.
So would I own a Smartphone and a UMPC, rather than my Pocket PC and Tablet laptop, I don't have the answer yet, but I will be looking at the combination closely. On the multimedia front we will also have to see what Apple does with their iPod, how will they enlarge the screen for a better viewing experience. I think this is an exciting segment of the market that has potential and worth watching.
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