Origami/UMPC: Tablets finally intrigue me
So now we know. The Origami is really a UMPC (Ultra-Mobile PC). Which is why they called it Origami. How do you say UMPC? You-Mippick? Uhm-Pik? Oomps? I suppose you have to say all four letters separately. The usual suspects like Engadget and Gizmodo seem unimpressed, a bit deflated after all the hype. But I am actually intrigued by this mini computer -- mostly by what it's not. It's not a laptop, it's not a phone, it's not an iPod, it's not a PDA. But if executed properly, it could force us to rethink all of these other devices.Right now I have a desktop PC at home, and a laptop for both home and mobility. I'm also perpetually in the market for a smart phone/PDA, but nothing has quite grabbed me yet. But I could replace the laptop with the UMPC and just use the desktop PC at home. The UMPC would make an interesting VOIP phone, in combination with a bluetooth earpiece. And it could potentially replace the need for a PSP or Gameboy, at least for the casual gamer.
As for the inevitable iPod comparison, it's too big as a sole replacement, but a combination UMPC + a small USB/flash MP3 player is much more versatile than an iPod. Imagine being at the ski resort, and leaving the UMPC in your locker, coming by twice a day to fill up your flash player. And of course there is the satisfaction of watching movies on a 7" screen on your way home, as opposed to a 2" screen on an iPod.
If you're ultra mobile with everything you own in your pockets, of course, this is not for you. It is aimed at anyone who is already carrying multiple devices in a purse, backpack or briefcase. Imagine dumping your PDA, mp3 player, laptop and gaming device, for one replacement.
The real test will be whether they can keep the battery life up and the cost close to $500. If I could get bluetooth, wi-fi, a 30gb+ hard drive, and an 8-hour battery for less than $600, I would jump on it.
Peace.
posted by Ear This at Friday, March 10, 2006
4 Comments:
Replace your laptop? In that case I'd assume you don't use your laptop for serious work - like programming or writing? This thing will never replace my laptop simply because it doesn't have a keyboard.
My real question is - how much mobile is this thing anyway compared to a ultralight laptop? You still have to carry it around, and maybe you save a pound in weight but thats it.
The only thing that'd make it attractive as you said - would be a price comparable to a smartphone or PDA, but I doubt thats going to happen.
My point was that my laptop is always too small (compared to a desktop, which I have at home or at work) or too big (for my backpack, using in the car, etc.) I wouldn't want it for an only computer -- you can't do serious typing on the UMPC, but with a desktop at home and at work, I wouldn't need to. I'm already a two-PC person, and a UMPC can replace a laptop in that situation, perhaps.
In that case, yes, the UMPC makes sense, especially given this will be cheaper and smaller than most laptops.
Personally though, my desktop is usually for gaming while I do most of my work on my laptop.
Great post. I stumbled across this completely by accident by way of Technorati and am glad I did as it confirms what I have been thinking about the possible implications of the UMPC.
Tablet PCs are often overlooked despite the flexibility they offer. Now, if a smaller Tablet can attract people who have not previously considered computing with pen and Ink this has to be a good thing for "Tablets" as a whole.
Thanks for your thought provoking post.
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