14 DAY TRIAL // Let's face it, the UMPCs started out on the wrong foot. They were far less functional than initially expected and filled a market segment that never actually existed. However, the manufacturers of portable computing systems seem to have learned something from their previous mistakes and are rolling out a whole new range of ultra-portables that comply a lot more with the original ultra-mobile concept.
One of the most successful designs encountered lately is the NanoBook from VIA, an UMD (ultra-mobile device) that grants users an enhanced Internet browsing experience, wherever they might go. And since the main purpose of this device is to allow users to go online, it has been fitted with quite a lot of connectivity options, while the computing power has been kept at just an acceptable (far from outstanding) level.
Thus, the device sports Bluetooth, WiFi and Ethernet modules, as well as 4-in-1 card reader, but also, more importantly, something you don't see everyday in an UMPC: an USB slot for connecting various external devices (World Time Clock/Calendar, GPS, VOIP, and broadband wireless modules, for example). Moreover, it incorporates quite a number of user-friendly features, as for example a 7-inch touchscreen display, a touchpad and, more importantly, a full-size keyboard (something most UMPC users long for).
In order to be truly portable, an UMD (or UMPC) requires quite an extensive battery life. VIA's NanoBook is powered by a 4-cell rechargeable battery, which can provide a total functioning life of around 4 - 4.5 hours. The extended battery life is also possible due to the fact that the device runs on VIA C7-M ULV processors that have a maximum thermal design power (TDP) of 3.5 watts and an idle power level of just 0.1 watts.
Made you curious? Well, in this case, check out some of the main features and specs this device has to offer:
- dimensions: 230mm x 171mm x 29.4mm; - weight: under 850 grams; - processor: VIA VX700 System Media Processor (integrated North & South Bridge); - graphics: VIA UniChrome Pro II IGP Integrated 3D/2D Graphics with shared memory up to 64MB; - HDD: 30GB (optional 60GB); - memory: DDR2 SO-DIMM up to 1GB; - display: 7-inch WVGA 800x400 LCD with touch panel; - audio: VIA Vinyl VT1708A HD Audio codec, 2 speakers; - networking: Realtek RTL8100CL 10/100 Mbps; - Wireless LAN: Azure Wave 802.11b/g (USB interface); - Bluetooth: Billionton (USB interface); - operating systems: Windows XP, Windows Vista and all popular Linux distros.
VIA's NanoBook ultra-mobile device has a projected price tag of $600, which seems to be quite an affordable price to pay for such a device.
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