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Originally Posted by mobilesalesman
[COLOR="Navy"]UMPC's were a failure becuase they lack a keyboard, and they were not small enough to be jacket size. Additionally those flaws put them into a category which included other computers where they could not compete against them in other areas such as power, speed, and price.
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Lack of a keyboard doesn't bother me. I don't need a built in keyboard. I need the ability to connect an external one. On my Palm OS device, I have an IR keyboard. For a UMPC, it might be Bluetooth or mini-USB. But whichever it is, it will be something approximating a full sized keyboard. I want something I can type on, and not a glorified thumbboard.
"Jacket sized" is another questionable attribute. What exactly does that mean? Something I can carry in a jacket pocket? If so, I'm not interested. The biggest variable in form factor for me is screen size. It need to be big enough to accommodate the sort of tasks I'm most likely to do. So while I'm fascinated by the ASUS eee, for instance, the 7" screen loses. The larger 9" model rumored to be in the offing is much more attractive. The 10" screen onj the cancelled Palm Foleo might have been the sweet spot, save that Palm wore Treo blinders, and viewed the device as an accessory for the handheld, in what was almost a glorified docking station. Had it been a device that was useful stand-alone, and oh, yeah, if you had a Treo it would seamlessly integrate with it, it might have been a different matter.
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Most UMPC's along with any sub or laptop running full windows has 2-4 hours battery life and that is not the best but usable. There are many people whom use other devices from blackberries, pda's, etc. that would buy a pocket jacket size laptop handheld yet still own a large laptop. I see hanhelds that could run full windows being a device to expand sales for companies like Toshiba and others whom sell laptops not reduce sales.
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I have a Palm OS PDA that serves as PIM, ebook viewer, pocket reference on everything, writing tool, games device, image and video viewer, MP3 player, and a few other things, save cell phone.
For me, a UMPC needs to
replace a laptop with a smaller, lighter device.
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That zero sum thinking is enabling Linux and Apple a chance to get into the market for mobile computing and dig into future MS OS laptops. If you look at many of the new MIDS or UMPC type devices using Intels new chips some are now running Linux. I think MS and laptop companies should get their act together to create the next evolution to widen laptop sales via a handheld jacket version before they loose future sales to more competitors such as Apple and Linux devices.
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Depending upon what you mean, that was supposed to be either a UMPC, or a handheld device like HPs iPAQ.
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Dennis