Microsoft offered details for Ultra-Mobile Personal Computers (UMPCs), a new category of mobile computing devices that features small, lightweight, carry-everywhere hardware designs coupled with the full functionality of a Microsoft Windows-based PC and a choice of input options, including enhanced touch-screen capabilities. Much like a pocket PC, it will be ideal for gaming and for creating 3D models while on the go.
While the first generation of UMPCs will run Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005, future models will run on Windows Vista. UMPCs will all feature small, lightweight designs that are optimized for mobility and ease of input. According to current baseline physical specifications, Windows-based UMPC devices will weigh less than two pounds, with a 7-inch screen size and a minimum resolution of 800x400 that offers the user a choice of text input methods. Will run with a 1GHz Pentium M processor, and 40Gb HD, 512 Mb of RAM
The launch will begin in 2006 with pricing will in the $599-$999 price-range.
Microsoft Corp. (www.microsoft.com) is based in Redmond, Washington.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
