Intel explains: MID vs. UMPC

From Engadget, a short Intel explanation on the differences between MIDs and UMPCs.




UMPC

• Business-class device for enterprise users
  
• Runs a "heavy" OS like Vista
• Optimized for office-use applications like Excel, Word, etc.
  

MID

• Consumer-class lifestyle device
• Runs a 'lightweight" OS with quick startup like Linux
• Optimized for things like media playback and web surfing
• In 2009 (or so) Moorestown-based devices will be classed as MIDs only

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Hmm. So how do we classify the Asus Eee PC again?

Samsung Ultra Mobile PC MIT SPH-P9200

From Mobilewhack -

During the Samsung 4G Forum 2007, the electronics company presented a new UMPC on the Deluxe MIT series, with a codename of SPH-P9200, which can be considered an upgrade to the SPH-P9000.

The new UMPC Deluxe MIT uses Windows XP and has the following specifications:

- Hard-Drive with 30GB of capacity
- QWERTY keyboard that can be folded to make it smaller and compact, or unfolded when you want to use it
- 5-inch LCD touchscreen
- Mobile WiMax so you can be connected to the internet wirelessly and use VoIP phone services

The Samsung Deluxe MIT SPH-P9200 will likely be released first in the Korean market.

ASUS R2H BH040T shares common specs with the EEE PC 701

It appears the R2H BH040T, an UMPC from Asus, shares a lot of common specs with the Asus EEE PC 701. The latter, while technically also a UMPC, breaks the mold in terms of form factor and pricing. It has the form factor of a subnotebook instead of a handheld and is priced way below other UMPC, even with the recent price increase to USD249 for an 8G configuration.




The R2H BH040T's specs (from the British Ciao! site, listed since 11/11/06) -

General

Platform Technology: Ultra Mobile PC
System Type: Ultra portable PC - slate
Built-in Devices: Speaker, wireless LAN aerial, GPS
Embedded Security: Fingerprint reader

Width: 23.4 cm
Depth: 13.3 cm
Height: 2.8 cm

Weight: 0.83 kg

Processor
Processor: Intel Celeron M 900 MHz
Power Efficiency: Ultra Low Voltage (ULV)
Chipset Type: Intel 910GML Express

Cache memory
Type: L2 Cache

Ram
Installed Size: 768 MB / 768 MB (max)
Technology: DDR II SDRAM - 667 MHz

Configuration Features: 1 x 512 MB + 256 MB (soldered)

Storage
Hard Drive: 60 GB - 4200 rpm

Optical storage
Type: DVD±RW (+R double layer) - external

Card reader
Type: Card reader
Supported Flash Memory Cards: SD Memory Card

Display
Display Type: 7" TFT active matrix
Max Resolution: 800 x 480 ( WVGA )
Widescreen Display: Yes
Features: ASUS Splendid Video Intelligence Technology

Video
Graphics Processor / Vendor: Intel GMA 900
Video Memory: Dynamic Video Memory Technology 3.0
Audio

Audio Input: Microphone
Notebook camera

Camera Type: Integrated
Sensor Resolution: 1.3 Megapixel

Input device(s)
Type: Touch-screen, thumb stick, stylus, 4-way navigation button

Networking
Networking: Network adapter
Wireless LAN Supported: Yes
Data Link Protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Bluetooth 2.0 EDR
Compliant Standards: IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Bluetooth 2.0

Expansion / connectivity
Expansion Slots Total (Free): 1 ( 0 ) x memory

Interfaces:
* 1 x docking / port replicator
* 1 x Hi-Speed USB - mini-USB Type A
* 1 x microphone - input - mini-phone 3.5mm
* 1 x headphones - output
* 1 x audio / video - output
* 1 x network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45

Miscellaneous
Included Accessories: Carrying case

Cables Included:
* VGA cable
* USB cable

Power
Power Device: External
Voltage Required: AC 120/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )

Battery
Technology: Lithium polymer

Installed Qty: 1
Capacity: 3430 mAh

Operating system / software
OS Provided: Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
Software: Nero Express 6, ASUS Power4 Gear+, ASUS Live Update, ASUS Mobile Theater, Adobe Acrobat Reader 7, Norton Antivirus 2006, ASUS WinFlash, Microsoft Touch Pack, ASUS Infopen

Manufacturer warranty
Service & Support: 2 years warranty

Service & Support Details:
* Limited warranty - 2 years
* Limited warranty - battery - 1 year

Pricegrabber UK lowest price is £694.46.

HTC Omni

Not exactly info on the Asus Eee but on another UMPC that is just as interesting as the Asus Eee. Although quite different in terms of size, OS, and features, (and perhaps pricing), their functionalities may overlap significantly, thereby making them potentially competing products.


Per Mobile Magazine - HTC recently revealed its Windows Mobile-based UMPC, the Omni, which is being positioned as the successor to the Universal.

The Omni has a subnotebook form factor and is powered by Windows Mobile 6 instead a full-fledged Windows version. Key features include the 4-inch 800x480 display, UMTS/HSDPA connectivity, TV/VGA out, 256MB ROM, 128MB RAM, microSD expansion, 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, and that glorious QWERTY keyboard.

No word yet on pricing or availability.