Origami Unfolded: the demise of the UMPC – Analysis

Origami Unfolded: the demise of the UMPC – Analysis By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla It’s been two years since Microsoft made a bid for Ultra Mobile Computing or UMPCs with their then codenamed Origami Project. The UMPCs were next generation devices which would offer full PC computing power in a slate-like device between the PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) and the TabletPC form factors. UMPCs were aimed at savvy users who wanted lightweight portables that would replace their notebooks. UMPCs were also designed to have enough muscle to be used as desktop machines when hooked up to external monitors, keyboards and mice. It was an exciting proposition and some of the early prototypes offered a compelling feature sets for a traveling computer that’s no bigger than a paperback book and which can manage communications and basic computing. Already there were micro-computers from OQO and Sony which were pushing the envelope on how small a portable device could be but these specialty devices were too expensive for mass consumption. Continue for the rest of the story. Enter Origami Soon, devices from Samsung, TabletKiosk, Raon Digital, ASUS and others showed up running Vista on low-consumption VIA, Intel Celeron and AMD Geode processors. The prospects looked good and interest was apparent. The reality, however, was that the ultra-mobile platform left a lot to be desired. For one thing, the slate form factor without a keyboard was a challenge for new users who were not too familiar with the TabletPC interface. Battery life, a biggie, proved to be another stumbling block. Many of the devices shipped with batteries that struggled to cough up two hours of usage. Considering that these devices relied on Bluetooth, wireless Internet and batteries to be truly mobile, the impact of compromised battery life was palpable. There was also a wide variety of form factors, most UMPCs were slates but a number of them integrated thumb boards or keyboards but due to their diminutive sizes were hard to use. Still, small keyboard is better than no keyboard, especially if you consider that these devices are primarily for email, instant messaging and communicating via the Internet. Expectations unmet We personally had the chance to review some of these devices. While there was no denying their compact footprint, the novelty soon wore off. Working with a stylus is not for everyone and certainly not for journalists, students or anyone who needs to input large amounts of text. Cost was also an issue with most of the UMPCs, many tipped the $900-dollar ceiling that most people were willing to shell out for a “tricked out” PDA. Some of the current models cost double that, tipping the scales at close to $2,000.00 – clearly within premium notebook territory. The high cost, underpowered performance and meager battery life spelled disaster for the UMPC niche even as newer models espoused the ability to run Vista and integrated faster processors, SSD (Solid State Disk) drives and the ability to run on EDGE networks via SIM cards. The entry into the market of affordable netbooks, the first wave of which sold at the fraction of the price of UMPCs gave users a more affordable option for secondary computers. Netbooks offered keyboards, functionality that was closer to traditional PCs and lightweight Linux operating systems that managed basic computing tasks and lowered the purchase price. Two years later, the big story is the ascension of the netbook. Manufacturers are falling all over themselves trying to come out with the right mix of price and features. With all the sub $500 netbooks on the market, similarly outfitted UMPCs, often selling for three times the amount, are left in the wayside as curious odds and ends that appeal to a shrinking niche market. A Blurry future for UMPCs The fate of the UMPC is in the balance. Microsoft has not actively updated the platform and this is likely because of Vista’s perceived weakness and the introduction of the upcoming Windows 7 OS. The new OS, which is essentially Vista done right, will hit stores by fall 2009, it will be interesting to see if Origami or UMPC initiatives will be tied into this new release. You have to think though, that by 2009, the netbook phenomenon might be hitting critical mass. That, and the cloud computing direction that Microsoft hopes to take with its Microsoft Azure online services initiative might have something else in store for us. UMPCs are partly responsible for the ramping up of usable, low-consumption components and the commoditization of the computer into a personal device. All the R&D that went into Origami and UMPC certainly did not go to waste, you only have to look at the $300 netbooks made by the same manufacturers and realize that they simply paved the way for things to come.

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Asus Eee PC 1000HA – Review

Asus Eee PC 1000HA – Review By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla After our initial impressions on the Eee PC 1000H, we're ready with the full review. Things improve with time and this sentiment is true when it comes to Asus’ Eee PC line. The original netbooks, which have sold 4 million units to date, were highly successful and created a new niche of inexpensive, fun and functional sub-notebooks which other makers scrambled to compete with. The first run of the Eee PC was successful, here at The Canadian Reviewer, we had the chance to use and examine both the 4GB and 8GB models and while they were simple and fun to use, we really couldn’t take to the Xandros OS, which was preinstalled on the units. We found the units a bit dinky and to be honest, they felt like toylike. We soon moved on to netbook offerings from HP and Raon Digital which seemed better built but were more expensive. More on the Eee PC after the jump! Leaping Ahead As longtime users of the ThinkPad line of subnotebooks (specifically the X40 tablet, the X61 tablet and our perennial favorite, the X60s) we felt we needed a change and were attracted to the Asus Eee PC 1000H line- which offered, among others, an super bright LED screen at 10’1 inches, an alleged 7 hour life on included 6-cell battery, a built in SD card reader and Windows XP Home out of the box. Since our ThinkPads did not come with optical drivers, we were totally fine going full-on cloud with the Eee PC. So we sauntered off to Canada Computers and nabbed ourselves a glossy black model which sported the Intel Atom Processor but which did away with Wi-Fi 802.11n and Bluetooth, a $100 savings that ended up costing $470 Canadian without tax. Aside from the glossy “fine ebony” finish, we liked the overall look and feel of the 1000HA. Touch-typing on this netbook is easy save for a few misplaced keys (arrow up is where the shift key should be, the shift key is right beside it but it is easy to miss). There are a few metallic accents like on the trackpad (which we find too sensitive and we prefer using an external mouse) and on the tips of the hinge. Build is generally solid save for the battery which feels a bit flimsy in its chamber and doesn’t seem to lock in perfectly. The bezel holding the screen is tough and flex free and the screen itself is pristine, we have to have brightness set at about ¼ of the capacity as it is really bright – much brighter, in fact, than our LED MacBook. Easy to Love Netbook For the price and the specs, the Asus Eee PC 1000HA is easy to love. The storage space is ample at 160GB (we’re not thrilled that the hard drive has been split into two sectors, this seems to be a Eee PC thing which we observed even with earlier models). You get the most important connectivity with Wi-Fi B and G, three high-speed USB ports and a 1.3 Megapixel camera and two microphones to boot. Windows XP is on SP3 now and works great on this netbook, the Atom Processor is a revelation in power and economy –we love it and its ability to switch gears from economy mode (running the processor at 1.2GHz) to high performance (1.7GHz) makes this little notebook quite the overachiever for light to moderate computing. We are already planning trips to take the Eee PC on and won’t feel bad tossing it into our knapsack and throwing it into the conveyors at airport security. Something we’d hate to do with our more expensive notebooks. Verdict We like the direction Asus is taking the Eee PC line of netbooks, something for every possible user. With the 1000HA they cover business users and frequent travelers who may not want to lug their main machines. The 1000HA is attractive, functional and reasonably priced for a full-functioning, hassle free netbook that I actually fun to use and compromises little. We think people in the market for a second portable or who are planning a trip and need to keep connected, should check these out.

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Microsoft Arc Mouse (Red) - Review

Arc, Arc, Arc! By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla Microsoft recently released the Microsoft Arc Mouse which merges the weight and portability of a notebook mouse with the feel and function of a full-sized mouse. Microsoft has created some stellar mice in its history and it seems that this strange looking mouse is consistent with the quality and feel we have come to expect from Microsoft. Looking like the head of one of those Battle Droids from Star Wars, the Arc mouse maintains a solid feel despite taking up half the space of a traditional mouse. The review continues with more photos after the break Getting the Microsoft Arc Mouse out of the box is an experience in itself. They may as well have cryogenically frozen it in a slab of ice. It requires some dexterity and some sharp implements to pry the Arc Mouse out of its bulletproof plastic casing. We think Microsoft can learn a thing or two about environmentally friendly and hassle-free packaging. I guess they had to go through great lengths to deter thieves, but still it is a painful process. The mouse itself is everything that its packaging is not. Light, sleek and simple, it will elicit mixed reactions. We liked it, our better half found it weird looking. We love that the USB wireless adapter is the smallest one we've seen. Check it out below in comparison to a two-year-old one from Microsoft. Available in Black and Red, we opted for the red one because we felt it looked a bit nicer. The surface where your hand rests is made up of glossy plastic which is reflective enough that you can use it as a mirror to see if anyone is peeping behind you. Paranoid geeks and hackers will, no doubt, like this feature. The scroll wheel is solid and clicks right but we find it a bit noisy. The bottom of the mouse, which holds the battery compartment and the small port where you can magnetically store the eensy-weensy USB dongle is outfitted in a rubber coating, pretty slick. We used the Microsoft Arc Mouse on an Apple MacBook and on an Asus Eee PC 1000HA and it performed flawlessly. Downloading the Microsoft drivers helps extend the functionality. Tracking is sensitive and accurate even on uneven surfaces. We find it a bit light but I guess that's the idea. Battery life is estimated at 6 months on two AAA batteries, which is a lot for something that's on all the time. Microsoft was thoughtful enough to include the batteries as well as a neat carry case made of faux leather. This is clearly a fashion-oriented mouse that focuses on the coolness factor but which has all the obvious benefits of Microsoft's well developed mouse line. While it looks really cool, the Arc Mouse will not win everyone's heart. Mice are extremely personal objects and the primary way we interface with our technology so the more "out there," the designs are then the more of an opinion you will elicit from people. Love it or hate it, it is a solidly built and innovative device. Geeks will want more features and even more buttons but that's not what the Arc Mouse is all about. Minimalist elegance and maximum portability that offers a full-sized mouse experience is what it is all about. We do have a feeling that these will be collector's items in the near future. We can recommend the Microsoft Arc Mouse for frequent travelers or coffee shop surfers who tire of their trackpads and trackpoints. Gamers, graphic designers and office dwellers may want something more substantial in weight and feel. The Microsoft Arc Mouse can be found for roughly $70 Canadian. Pricey for what it is, but considering its build quality, portability and the fact that it offers a built-in rear-view mirror, we think some people will go for it. Online retailers, it seems, sell it for less.

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Hands on with Asus Eee PC 1000HA

The ASUS Eee PC model 1000HA (without the Wireless N and Bluetooth) was a revelation in terms of netbooks. Compared to the smaller, SSD-toting Eee PCs, this one can really be an all day machine. Costing $480 from Canada Computers - this is one netbook that can replace your laptop if you don't mind the missing optical drive and the smaller 10' inch screen. There are a number of features that make the Eee PC 1000HA a compelling netbook option. The 1.6 GHz Intel Atom processor is a sprightly beast that can apparently be tuned down to 1.2Ghz on economy mode and boosted to 1.7GHz using the included Super Hybrid Engine application. Running it on power saving mode for this review was just fine. More on the Eee PC 1000HA after the Jump A tiny computer that can easily switch gears is great to have, you can downclock the processor for those long haul flights and kick it into overdrive when trying to beat a deadline or when it is plugged in. We also like the size of the keyboard which is very usable unlike other netbook keyboards which are absolute hell to type on. The keys themselves could be a bit stiffer but everything else about the keyboard is spot on except for the nagging placement of a page up button where the shift button should be. The touchpad is too sensitive and we managed to click and close browser windows we were still reading. Still it is of ample size and works well. Atom inside Running Windows XP, we popped in a 2GB RAM stick and the Eee PC seems to be snappier than a similar spec ThinkPad X60s which has a low power 1.6GHz Core Duo processor. Is the Atom Processor really that much faster? Its doubtful but we're more concerned about the battery life and the alleged 6-7 hours squeezed out of the Eee PCs 6 cell battery. We'll have more info on that as we put it through its paces. With Windows XP, this netbook runs efficiently and is fast for most uses. We threw on Google Chrome and it just flew, loading websites quickly and with minimum fuss. It is also whisper quiet, we have to glue our ears to the vents to hear if the fan is on at all. Same with the heat generation, the Atom processor seems to run cucumber cool while maintaining performance expected of its Pentium pedigree. Look and Feel Although plasticky with a godawful glossy finish, the Eee PC 1000HA feels more substantial and less toylike than the Eee 700. The 10 inch screen, I think, Is the sweet spot for actually getting stuff done. Fit and finish is not bad, nowhere near as solid as the HP netbooks but still pretty good for what you are paying for. The black model can certainly make you feel at home in a corporate setting and it could actually pass for a higher end Fujitsu or even a VAIO subnotebook. Upgrading the RAM is dead easy, two screws allow you to lift a panel that accesses the RAM (one slot only) and the Hard Drive. With the cheap cost of RAM these days, we suggest bumping up your spec to 2GB since this also shares the load of the integrated graphics card. You get three USB 2.0 ports and a card reader which we think should come standard on any notebook since its so convenient to work on your photos when you are travelling. Black Eee PC Conclusion Its hard to pry us away from our new MacBook but this Eee PC is just so darn light and such fun to use. The LED screen on this is gorgeous and makes the purchase price totally worth it. We have brightness down to 1/4 on the dial and it is still brighter than our ThinkPad on full setting. This means turning down the brightness to save battery life won't come at the cost of our eyesight. Yay! The styling is a bit fancy albeit still generic, the construction is solid enough but the battery seems not to lock into the body completely which makes it feel a tad flimsy. Still, for the price, this is one netbook we wouldn't mind taking out for lattes or to long flights. We'll have more info and photos in the coming days as we use the Asus Eee PC 1000HA as our daily driver. ---- UPDATE Read the Full Review on the Asus Eee PC 1000H here!

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