Quote:
Originally Posted by DMcCunney
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.
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.
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
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A PDA is a small shirt pocket device like a Palm or Pocket pc. Great for viewing information and simple things but not very good for real computer use. A UMPC thought they could bridge the gap between the PDA and a laptop but did not. What would bridge the gap is a device larger than a PDA but still small enough to be jacket size so that it has a full keyboard built in and can be a laptop replacement for those whom need more mobility.
The past Handheld HPC's had a good form factor and now that technology can enable them to have full windows that to me would be the ideal form factor to bridge the gap between the PDA and the laptop. Devices like the HP Jornada 720 or the Psion 5mx.
Samsung has made a very creative design but it is only sold in Korea, the sph p9200 which trifolds into a device still jacket size yet when opened provides a great keyboard. Too bad the US is only on 3g as this device is built for 4g
http://www.slashgear.com/samsung-sph...ver-097876.php