Ultra-Mobile PC

Under the name of Ultra -Mobile PC (former Project Name: Origami ), abbreviated UMPC, Microsoft and Intel, launched in spring 2006 at the CeBIT a new device class of portable computers. A first attempt in this direction made ​​in 2004 with the Sony Vaio U series, which never came, however, in the European market and was only sold in Asia.

Description

Ultra -Mobile PCs are smaller than subnotebooks, have a diagonal about 12.7 to 17.8 cm (5-7 inch) TFT display and are similar to tablet PCs, mainly via the touch screen or with stylus pins served. Keyboards can be connected externally or sometimes even integrated. Widely used are also well on laptops usual features such as a built-in camera for video calling or photograph and fingerprint sensors for authentication. Also, GPS modules and navigation software are often integrated.

The first-generation devices are full-fledged PCs, the Linux operating system or a custom Windows XP Tablet Edition.

The units of the second generation to be a part of energy-efficient and thus a longer battery life offer ( up to 5 hours ), on the other hand they support Windows Vista, some with Aero Glass interface. As processors VIA C7-M ULV processor with VIA VX700 chipset - or Intel -A110 processors are used in the previous models.

Between the terms subnotebook and Ultra -Mobile PC there is no set definition.

Areas of application

UMPCs are advertised for business users who can use their business software without significant limitations mobile with this device class. So they are lighter / more portable than notebooks, but more functional than a PDA. Ultra -Mobile PCs are also touted as multimedia players, or navigation systems. Through Bluetooth, UMTS and WLAN Internet access may be so mobile communicate, access web pages, reading emails, or play online games. The targeted niche has overlap with sub-notebooks and PDAs, whereby even the manufacturer can inform the intended use is not always clear.

The first devices were from Asus (model " R2H " ), Founder and Samsung (model "Q1" ). Asus, Samsung and Gigabyte Technology (sold under the label Medion ) have the second generation devices presented at CeBIT 2007, all powered by a modified version of Windows Vista.

The first Ultra -Mobile PC with a focus on video games is the Pandora manufactured in Germany.