The Ultimate UMPC is Not a UMPC!
Posted by Steve Laser on 01/26/08 in Asus R2H, HSPDA, HTC, OQO 02, UMPC, Wibrain, Windows Mobile 6, Windows Vista, Windows XP
According to Microsoft, a UMPC is supposed to be:
photo courtesy of Engadget
“About the size of a paperback book, the UMPC is small and light enough to fit easily into a carry-on, a purse, or a backpack. And yet, the UMPC features a powerful processor, a big, bright display, easy-to-use input options, and support for the latest connectivity standards.
The UMPC offers a display of 4-7 inches and touch capabilities, all in a package that weighs less than 2 pounds. But don’t underestimate this small computer—it can run all of the same Windows Vista-compatible software you’re already familiar with.”
We certainly have seen some of these ideal elements in UMPCs, but as far as running “Windows Vista-compatible software” using a “powerful processor” is concerned, this project is a failure. Some recent reviews illustrate the concept:
From JK on the Run’s WiBrain review on slow performance, “For example: opening up Microsoft Word 2007 takes 6 seconds on the Q1P. The same task on the WiBrain routinely takes 9 seconds.”
And on the screen resolution,
“Here’s where compromise, as it so often does with mobile devices, comes into play: due to the high res and the excellent trackpad, I found myself rarely using the touchscreen. Items are too small to accurately touch when it’s easier to just use the trackpad, cursor and mouse buttons.”
From Pocketables’ OQO Model 2 Review on slow performance, “If you can tolerate nothing less than the top-of-the-line powerhouse desktop systems, then something like the OQO Model 02 (or any UMPC, for that matter) will definitely not make you happy.”
Photo Courtesy of Ultramobile PC
From UltraMobilePC’s Vega Review on its 5″ screen size, “For example, I use contact lenses and I do not need reading glasses unless the letters are too small, like the ones printed in some drug boxes. I do not need reading glasses at all to use any of the UMPC with a 7 inches display but I felt the need of my glasses using Vega.
From UltraMobilePC’s Amtek T770 Review on battery life, “…the battery life is between 2 hours and 2 hours 15 minutes according to my tests.”
And on performance, “If you are a regular user that does not care about performance but you want an integrated webcam and microphone without having to pay a extra money, yes, you will find in this machine these features…”
Photo courtesy of Hanno’s Blog
Hanno’s Everun Review on odd size resolutions often found in UMPCs, “800×480 is the recommended screen resolution that Microsoft chose for UMPCs, yet the OS has menus that don’t fit. What good is the promise of being able to run standard software when the screen estate is too small for it?”
You get the idea. The processor’s are too slow for the (bloated) OS, the screen resolution is all wrong, rendering many UMPCs unreadable without a magnifying glass, the OS’s menus don’t fit on the screen, multitasking is impossible due to lack of memory and processing power, and battery power is generally lackluster, if not putrid.
Indeed, not all UMPCs fail in every area. Some are better than others. But there is a lack of consistency across the board regarding features and performance. UMPCs range in size, keyboard type, connectivity options, price, screen sizes and many other features, so lumping them into one category and saying they are inadequate may not be completely fair, but I have not read one UMPC review that has made me want to run out and get one. To be sure, spending $800 to $2400 for lackluster performance in a package that is not quite pocketable, and is fraught with compromises, hardly intrigues me. Pocket PCs are too small. I need a larger screen to view spreadsheet data among other things. Laptops are too big. So I find myself aching for a UMPC.
The Ultimate UMPC
Find the Ultimate UMPC after the break
How to disconnect the GPS Receiver in an Asus R2H
Hark0, moderator at todoUMPC.com decided to disconnect the GPS Receiver from his Asus R2H and He posted a very good pictures of how to do that. He is not using the GPS Receiver because it was too bad and because by doing that he think that probably he could save some battery life.
