I already own a Tablet PC do I really need an UMPC?

It is week three and the origami project has been revealed. I think we can honestly say it really is not much of a surprise. Many of the rumors and speculations were very accurate in their predictions. Many of the images I saw around the web even turned out to look like the actual unit. We will have to wait and see if this device can make its way into our lives but for now I still remain a skeptic.

In the end origami or should we call it by its proper name now the Ultra Mobile PC, UMPC for short, is just a small Tablet PC. Is this idea really that revolutionary and will everyone want one? My first prediction is no. The Tablet PC platform has been around for a while and has yet to really catch on. Although there currently is a move in Tablet PCs I think we still have a long ways to go. One could argue that this new device will actually help the Tablet PC market but I don’t see that happening any time soon.

I really wish I could rally behind this idea but a few things prevent me from jumping on board. For one my own personal device is calling out “I’m bigger and better than that midget and I can still be mobile!.” My tablet is the IBM/Lenovo X41 tablet and resides in the category of ultra portables. It was its small size, weight, dimensions and excellent battery life that led me to its purchase. Glancing over the hardware details I noticed that although these are not set in stone initial specs on this UMPC have it with a 7” (or smaller) screen, 800x400 resolution, 2 pounds, Tablet 2005 OS, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled. The specifications of my table are a 12.1” screen, 3.2 lbs, 1024x768 resolution and of course wi-fi, Bluetooth, and the Tablet OS. So one could say that my Tablet is a monster compared to this new ultra mobile PC but it really isn’t that much bigger in my personal opinion. In fact I do carry my tablet with me just about everywhere I go and usually do so without any problems. At times I wish it was smaller. I wish I could take it out more easily at the grocery store when I need to look at a list, or write down someone’s email right after class but these are the rare occasions where I can see myself actually truly benefiting from a smaller device.

I’ll admit that a smaller unit would be nice but if I had really wanted something smaller and more compact then I would have gone for something like Motion’s LS800. I think it’s about 2.2 lbs with an 8.4” screen so it resembles the size of an ultra mobile PC. It is also a true slate model like the UMPC so its dimensions in overall thickness would also be similar. However as a student I don’t think smaller is necessarily better in this case.

Students are always digging around for that extra dollar. We don’t have an extra $1000 laying around for a new toy. So when it comes to major purchases a lot of time and energy in making such a decision is required. The pros and cons of the situation must be analyzed. The first major disadvantage that comes to mind is during note taking. Sitting in class frantically scribbling down notes on such a small device would be very pleasant for me. I like the fact that my tablet resembles the size of a piece of paper, anything smaller and I would feel cramped. A paper sized device also makes the note taking process a little bit less foreign then if I had to squeeze all that information onto such a small screen. So when it comes down to it, if I have to choose between a Tablet PC and a UMPC I am going to go with the Tablet PC every day of the week! But I did not choose the Tablet only for its size. In fact if size was an issue there were other alternatives such as the LS800.

A small tablet like the LS800 or the new UMPC has its place but my tablet has found its own niche in my life. I also like the ability to have a convertible. When on campus all day there are some classes where I prefer to type and others where the tablet function is more practical. No matter my preference I always have the option to easily convert from one to the other. Now of course you may be thinking why would you ever want to type anyways? The UMPC is for being mobile and entering data on the go. You have your laptop for all that typing stuff right? This brings me to my next point; the UMPC is not going to replace your notebook or regular Tablet PC.

Personally I just don’t see the UMPC being able to accomplish such a feat. I honestly think that it will not be able to handle the job of all our current notebooks. Again who cares right? Well because it won’t be able to replace our notebooks many of us that use notebooks on a daily basis will still end up carrying around them even if we have a UMPC. With cell phones, ipods, cameras, and notebooks how many gadgets do we really need to carry around? The UMPC could potentially replace the function of an ipod but do you really think all those people are going to lay down their white headphones and run out to buy a new $1000 toy? I don’t think so. So in the end it would actually increase the amount of things we would carry.

There are examples though where an UMPC would pay off. If you’re not venturing off to the office or class and still want a PC with you all the time then a UMPC makes sense. It would me much easier to carry such a device when shopping or riding around in a cab or subway. But is this convenience worth the price?

This brings me to my last point (for now). Price! Everything has a price it seems and it is no different for the UMPC. No numbers are out yet but from what I’ve heard the device is going to be in the sub $1000 range. In an economy that is already struggling at times is such a device really practical? Of course there will always be those that have the money to buy anything they want and us geeks that like to buy the newest gadget but I think if the UMPC is to take on wide adoption it is going to have to appeal to many more people than these select groups. In fact if someone gave me $1000 I can think of numerous other things that I would like to purchase before an UMPC. (Of course if someone gave me a UMPC I would have no problem accepting it either)

An oversized Pocket PC, a super small Tablet PC, or an Ultra Mobile PC, whatever you want to call the new device it is being released. How successful it is and how many people really will say I need that is still up in the air but for now I’m just fine with my Tablet.

posted by Jason Dorko at 9:20 PM 0 comments links to this post