At work today, I was looking for a piece of hardware to enable data collectors in the field to easily record data... inexpensively. Convertable tablet, too expensive. Subnotebook, not one handed. Palmtop (aka: OQO), brilliant but too expensive.

Then I found the UMPC. Gizmodo index for quick reference. A "new" form factor, or rather, new software on a rehashed old idea. Still, seems cool to me:

$900 "first kid in town to have one" price, bound to drop.
Thumb-enabled "polar" virtual keyboard.
About 2lbs. Non-bulky 7" screen.
Real Windows XP Tablet to run data collection software.
etc.

Models forthcoming from ASUS, Samsung (the Q1), Founder (Chinese?). But there is one model "available" now, for pre-order at least: The TabletKiosk eo UMPC. In a fit of early-adoption, impatience, and relief I wouldn't have to pay $1200 for 6 pound Gateway convertables or $1500 for Fujitsu convertable subnotebooks (the runner up)... I bought two, to pilot our data collection project at work.

They ship in 3 weeks and I'm pretty excited to have the newest gear on the block. If only I could afford an OQO 01+ for each collector. Any thoughts on UMPCs and palmtops?

I think they sound pretty good but most of the press has been that they are pointless.

I would be more interested if there was a PCMCIA slot.

Here is the thread I started about these

They're a solution in search of a problem. All the devices announced so far look pretty bad in every regard, including price. In fact, the only one with even an ounce of taste in design is the eo, the only one released. But they were touted to hit near the $500 mark. $900 is way too steep.

I suspect it's destined for failure in consumer circles. Might make for interesting vertical applications. The Apple Newton 2000 looked a lot better and I can only imagine what that product would be like with today's technology.

Bruno

Nokia 770? Not Windows but GTK based and supposedly easy to code for.

Gareth

Very neat. I hope you take pictures when they arrive. I've been wondering what they'd look like in real world scenarios, not just in press shots and display photos.

And just so you know, there's already been some discussion.

Everyone see this on engadget.

1400 is too much.

They do seem pointless for home users and business users (aka: darn near everyone). But they seem to fit the bill for my data collection projects. Palms and Pocket PCs are too small and can't run the native Windows data collection programs. Convertible tablets are too expensive or too heavy for such prolonged field work. Slate (non-convertable, no keyboard) tablets are big and worthless, and laptops are two handed.

The 7" screen of a UMPC should do the job nicely. And the thumb keyboard seems like a far-out solution to the slate tablet problem. And they run real Windows, so I can lock them down and Ghost them like any other, making maintenance easy.

They are the missing link between palmtop and laptop. I can't wait (but should have ordered and OQO just for kicks).

Wow, $1400 for the Samsung? I really tried to preorder that on the 30th, but couldn't find anyone (online, linked from the Samsung UK Q1 product page) selling them. Time was more critical than quality (sheesh!) so I got the eo. I sure wouldn't mind having a quality Samsung panel in a UMPC, but $1400.... get a Fujitsu P1510 convertible with a real keyboard at only 2lbs.

The Samsung won't be $1400. If it is £799.95 in the UK, that is £680 without VAT (tax).

That would make it $1181, using the current $/£ exchange rate.

But, UK prices are almost always 20%-30% more than US prices. I would guess the dollar price would be more like $800-$900.

Well, my pair of TabletKiosk eo UMPCs finally arrived at my workplace today. Though Gizmodo thinks UMPCs are worthless, I still think they are the best solution to my field data collection needs at work. Small, light, cheap(ish), and runs real Windows.

Of course, I haven't powered them on yet, and won't have time untill tomorrow. But my first thoughts:

Wow, they're small.
Um, that's baby blue, not white, which I settled on since the black ones I ordered werestill unavailable due to fan problems.
Still, I think these will do the trick.

Pictures and usage reviews to follow.

Since this thread's already been resurrected, I thought I'd add this link to a video of a guy showing off his new Samsung Q1 ($1099 SRP):

Ok, a quick second impression:

Those ~2 lbs get heavy over time of one handed operation.

Right hand works the pen while left hand heats up from the processor and internal fan. It's cooler on the right side.

Right side ThinkPad-style track stick receives push as a click, which allows single right handed operation, but also unintentionally clicks. Maybe a software setting or simply learn to be lighter on it (I rarely use track sticks).

The "Dial Keys" split thumb keyboard required thumbnails to type, requiring greater reach. Maybe an XP Tablet screen sensitivity setting to fix that. Once fixed and gotten used to, I think it will work.

Screen needs calibration. Also XP Tablet setting?

One-touch screen resolution changing could come in handy, since native res is pretty short (640x400? I forget now).

Comes with second partition containing stock restoration image of the system, I think. Would be nice to just reimage from that after each time it comes back from a few weeks of field work.

It's still baby blue, which is kind of unique in a way. Who else has a baby blue laptop, PDA, tablet? I feel unintentionally "designer".

But hey, it runs real Windows, so it allows real software and standard networking. Should work for data collection. This would be great for travel to store pictures and write my memos, also connect to the internet etc. Light enough to bring with me all day in a travel bag.