Intel's all-in-one-wonder Atom processor has just been announced to power Willcom's next-generation of mobile Internet devices. The first unit, the D4 WSO16SH, was showcased during this weekend, and despite its miniature
size, the device manages to make no performance compromise.
Willcom's first mobile Internet device measures just 3.3 x 7.4 x 1 inches and weighs about 403 grams. However, it will hit the market with a 5-inch LCD TFT display, able to deliver maximum resolutions of 1,024x600. Although the screen resolution is much improved as compared to the current generation of UMPCs, it is still not enough to correctly display an average webpage, since sites are usually optimizing their content for 1,024 x 800 screen modes.
Another important aspect of the showcased device is the presence of a slide-out, 64-key QWERTY keyboard, that lets users comfortably input data. According to its technical sheet, the device will come equipped with a 2-megapixel camera, WiFi, and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR. The WSO16SH MID supports the company's Personal Handyphone System (PHS) data network and will come bundled with a Bluetooth-capable handset that lets users to place calls.
The heart of the new mobile Internet device is Intel's Z520 Atom processor, able to deliver clock speeds of 1.33GHz tops. The device also sports 1GB of RAM (PC2-4200), and a 40 GB hard-disk drive spinning at 4,200 RPM.
Despite its solid hardware configuration, the MID will be powered by Microsoft's Windows Vista SP1, and the first beta-testers have already started to complain that its performance is "unimpressive", as the system lacks the necessary resources.
Asustek also unveiled earlier this month
its own Atom-based MID design, that comes with similar specifications, except for the fact that R50's processor will be clocked at 1.6 GHz, and will also come with a 32 GB solid-state drive.
Willcom's new MID is expected to hit the Japanese market in mid-June at an estimative price tag of $1,272.
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