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Very good thread Bob !
The UMPC has very good chances to make it out there. Specially, as you point out, in the active business world. If you look at surveyors, police, engineers, archeologists etc., wherever one needs info on the go, the tool would perfectly fit. To manage their information gathering at the moment, these people use special tablet PCs and Palms outfitted in rugged sturdier casings. Wearable computing, this is what is needed, the little touch that will make the UMPC more desirable, dare I say irresistible.
When the critics say that the laptop does everything the UMPC does are wrong. To use a laptop you have to set it down somewhere. If you don't agree, try using one standing in line. This is basically what OQO has been basing their spiel on for years, but being classed as marginals, no one really listens.
What we ergonomically need is a UMPC that hangs on the body, meaning that you don't have to hold It to operate it, while you are free enough to continue collecting data between each entry, but still having the computer close enough for easy efficient one hand operation. For now the UMPC does not meet closely enough to the paticularities of theses tasks.
In my opinion where the UMPC suffers most is the two handed white knuckle operation, because it is rather heavy for long use and in a fration of a second, everything can be over, shattered on the ground...being lighter, the palm does not suffer that fate as easily.
The biggest problem with the designers and creators of computing and data contol apparatus, is their urbanite leisure orientation focus. Every concept is ephemeral, has no lasting purpose, thus no seriousness for work.
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