Battle of New UMPCs

UMPCs are creating a heap of noise these days. As manufacturers continue innovating to make smaller, stronger and inexpensive PCs, the line between ultra-portables and ultra-mobiles is getting blurred. While some are actually not cheap, road warriors get the juice on the move. Let's take a close look at new UMPCs on the block.

UMPCs a.k.a. ultra-mobile personal computers, are small lightweight under a kilogram notebook computers that have about 7-8-inch LCD screen. UMPCs are smaller-than-usual laptops with all the features and functions of a PC.

UMPCs' compact design makes it easy to be carried by those who spend more time on the road. With specs and functions that overlap with other handheld devices, UMPCs are also referred to by a variety of notebook categories including subnotebooks, ultraportables, mini-laptops (mini-notebooks), and MID's (mobile internet devices).

Asus EeePC 900
SRP: PhP25,000
ASUS stirred interest on the UMPC category with the introduction of the EeePC last year. The EeePC 900 is the second iteration of this ground-breaking laptop with 16GB drive, a wider 8.9-inch screen, and 1GB RAM.


Display: 8.9” 1024 x 600
Casing Color: Pearl White, Black
CPU: Intel Mobile CPU
Memory: 1GB DDR2
Display Card: Intel UMA
Storage: 12GB (4SSD+8flash) (XP); 20GB (4SSD+16 flash) (Linux)
Card Reader: SD / MMC (SDHC)
Audio: Built-in mic/speakers
Wireless: Built-in 802.11b/g
Camera: Built-in 1.3Mp
Input/Output: 3 USB ports, VGA-out (D-Sub, 15pin), earphone /mic/RJ45 Ethernet
OS: Windows XP/Linux
Dimensions: 23 x 17 x 3cm WHD
Weight: 0.99 Kg

HP 2133 Mini Note
SRP:PhP30,000
The 2133 offers multiple configurations, bigger keys in an aluminum alloy design. The PhP30K version is fully loaded with a 120GB, 7200rpm hard drive and Windows Vista.

Display: 8.9” 1280 x 768
Casing Color: Silver Black
CPU: VIA C7-M ULV 1.6 GHz
Memory: 1-2GB DDR2
Display Card: VIA Chrome 9
Storage: 120-160GB or 64GB SSD; optional 4GB PATA Flash w/ SuSE Linux
Card Reader: ExpressC/54, SD
Audio: Built-in mic/speakers
Wireless: Broadcom 802.11a/b/g,
Camera: Optional
Input/Output: 2 USB ports, RJ45 Ethernet, earphone/mic
OS: Windows Vista/Linux
Dimensions: 1’ (at front) x 10 ’ x 6.5’
Weight: 1.2 Kg

Lenovo Thinkpad X300
SRP: PhP130,000
The new X300 is the 0.73'' thinnest ND lightest ThinkPad ever with built-in DVD burner, a slew of 3 USB ports, mic and headphone ports and more.


Display: 13.3’ WXGA 1440 x 900
Casing Color: Silver Black
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 1.2GHz
Memory: 1-4GB DDR2
Display Card: Intel Graphics X3100
Storage: 64GB SATA SSD, Ultra-thin DVD Burner
Card Reader: Built-in mic/speakers
Audio: Bluetooth, GPS (Verizon WWAN), Intel UltraWideBand, Intel WiMax, 802.11n
Wireless: Intel PRO
Camera: Built-in 1.3Mp
Input/Output: Fingerprint sensor, 3 USB ports,earphone/mic, RJ45 Ethernet
OS: Windows Vista Business
Dimensions: 12.5” x 9.1” x 0.73” WDH
Weight: 1.42kg


Astone UMPC
SRP:PhP20,000
The Astone UMPC has a 7” touchscreen LCD powered by a VIA C7 processor at 1.2 GHz, 1Gb RAM and 60GB hard drive. It comes with a 1.3MP webcam and a Bluetooth VoiP phone.

Display: 7” WVGA Touch Screen
Casing Color: Silver Black
CPU: VIA C7-M ULV 1.2Ghz
Memory: 1GB DDR2
Display Card: VIA UniChrome Pro II
Storage: 60GB
Card Reader: 4in1SD/MMC/MS/MS P
Audio: Built-in mic/speakers
Wireless: Wireless LAN Azure Wave IEEE 802.11b/g, Bluetooth
Camera: Built-in 0.3MP
Input/Output: 2 USB 2.0 RJ45 Ethernet, earphone/mic, DVI-I, Bluetooth VoIP Phone
OS: Linux Open OS
Dimensions: 23×17x29 cm
Weight: 0.97 Kg


Apple MacBook Air
SRP:PhP150,000
The new MacBook Air is 0.8” ultrathin in a 13”-screen package designed with wireless innovations. This ultra-portable comes with a whopping full-size keyboard and exceptionally large multi-touch trackpad.


Display: 13.3” WXGA
Casing Color: Silver, White
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory: 2GB DDR2
Display Card: Intel GMA X3100
Storage: 80GB, 64GB SSD optional
Card Reader: None
Audio: Built-in mic/speakers
Wireless: AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11n, Bluetooth
Camera: Built-in iSight, 640×480
Input/Output: 1 USB, Micro-DVI, earphone/mic,
OS: Mac OSX 10.5 Leopard
Dimensions: .76” H x 12.8” W x 9” D
Weight: 1.36 Kg

Everex Cloudbook
SRP:Php20,000
Everex lives up to its commitment to provide customers with high-performance, highly-affordable technology, simple and durable enough to be used in everyday life with the Everex CloudBook, a new Ultra Mobile Portable Computer designed to run Linux or Windows OS that will try to compete with other UMPCs on the market such as the Asus Eee PC, the OLPC and the Intel ClassMate. Just under 1Kg, the CloudBook's dimensions (WxDxH) are only 9.06" x 6.73 x 1.16" .Powered by a VIA C7 ULV 1.2GHz CPU and 512MB of RAM30GB hard drive, the CloudBook is featured with a built-in WiFi, 1.3MP webcam, speakers and 4-in-1 card reader, and Ethernet,DVI and two USB ports.

Display: 7" WVGA 800 x 480
Casing Color: Silver, Black
CPU: VIA C7-M ULV 1.2 GHz
Memory: 512MB DDR2
Display Card: VIA UniChrome Pro IGP
Storage: 30GB
Card Reader: 4-in1SD, MMC, MSPRO
Audio: Built-in mic/speakers
Wireless: 802.11b/g
Camera: Built-in 0.3MP
Input/Output: 2 USB, RJ45 Ethernet, DVI-I, earphone/mic
OS: Ubuntu, gOS Rocket
Dimensions: 23 × 17 × 3 cm (WHD)
Weight: 0.91 Kg

Lenovo Thinkpad X300

SRP: PhP130,000
The new X300 is the 0.73'' thinnest ND lightest ThinkPad ever with built-in DVD burner, a slew of 3 USB ports, mic and headphone ports and more.



Display: 13.3’ WXGA 1440 x 900
Casing Color: Silver Black
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 1.2GHz
Memory: 1-4GB DDR2
Display Card: Intel Graphics X3100
Storage: 64GB SATA SSD, Ultra-thin DVD Burner
Card Reader: Built-in mic/speakers
Audio: Bluetooth, GPS (Verizon WWAN), Intel UltraWideBand, Intel WiMax, 802.11n
Wireless: Intel PRO
Camera: Built-in 1.3Mp
Input/Output: Fingerprint sensor, 3 USB ports,earphone/mic, RJ45 Ethernet
OS: Windows Vista Business
Dimensions: 12.5” x 9.1” x 0.73” WDH
Weight: 1.42kg

Everex Cloudbook

SRP:Php20,000
Everex lives up to its commitment to provide customers with high-performance, highly-affordable technology, simple and durable enough to be used in everyday life with the Everex CloudBook, a new Ultra Mobile Portable Computer designed to run Linux or Windows OS that will try to compete with other UMPCs on the market such as the Asus Eee PC, the OLPC and the Intel ClassMate. Just under 1Kg, the CloudBook's dimensions (WxDxH) are only 9.06" x 6.73 x 1.16" .Powered by a VIA C7 ULV 1.2GHz CPU and 512MB of RAM30GB hard drive, the CloudBook is featured with a built-in WiFi, 1.3MP webcam, speakers and 4-in-1 card reader, and Ethernet,DVI and two USB ports.

Display: 7" WVGA 800 x 480
Casing Color: Silver, Black
CPU: VIA C7-M ULV 1.2 GHz
Memory: 512MB DDR2
Display Card: VIA UniChrome Pro IGP
Storage: 30GB
Card Reader: 4-in1SD, MMC, MSPRO
Audio: Built-in mic/speakers
Wireless: 802.11b/g
Camera: Built-in 0.3MP
Input/Output: 2 USB, RJ45 Ethernet, DVI-I, earphone/mic
OS: Ubuntu, gOS Rocket
Dimensions: 23 × 17 × 3 cm (WHD)
Weight: 0.91 Kg

UltraMobile Dell XPS M1330

Weighing just under 1.8kg and featuring an ultra thin 0.9-inch profile, the premium ultra-portable world's thinnest 13.3" notebook Dell XPS M1330 doesn't minimize power or connectivity.

Priced at PhP84,995 (SRP), standard features include a high definition 13.3-inch display, slot-load optical drive, full-sized keyboard, sophisticated touch sensitive media buttons, and HDMI support.

Performance enthusiasts will appreciate the nVidia discrete graphics, integrated fingerprint reader and webcam and dual digital microphones.

The XPS M1330 is powered by high-performance Intel Core 2 Duo processors and comes with Microsoft Windows Vista Premium or Ultimate.

Additional features include: Choice of colors, including Tuxedo Black, Crimson Red and Midnight Blue; 13.3" widescreen high definition display with TrueLife for crisp and vivid images (WXGA1280×800); High performance NVIDIA® GeForce Go 8400M graphics with 128MB dedicated memory; Dell Media Direct and Instant Office technology for fast, one-button access to videos, music or photos, calendar and contacts; Standard 802.11g Wi-fi networking a/g/n; Standard slot-load DVD+/- RW with dual layer capability; Standard integrated 8-in-1 media card reader to enable easy transfer of content from digital devices. Other ports include HDMI, two USB ports, IEEE 1394a, dual headphone jacks; Standard integrated webcam with dual digital microphones and noise-isolation ear buds; Standard consumer travel remote that stores in system Express Card slot; Standard 6-cell lithium-ion battery; Fingerprint reader for security and convenience.

Display: 13.3" WXGA 1280 x 800
Casing Color: Red, Silver Black
CPU: Intel Core2Duo 1.6-2.6GHz
Memory: 1-4GB DDR2
Display Card: nVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
Storage: Up to 200GB3, Up to 160GB3 SATA, Up to 64GB SSD, DVD Burner
Card Reader: 8-in-1
Audio: Built-in mic/speakers
Wireless: Atheros 802.11a/b/g with dual antenna, Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG, Bluetoot
Camera: Built-in 0.3Mp
Input/Output: 2 USB ports, Firewire, RJ45 Ethernet, (x2) dual digital array mics
OS: Windows Vista Ultimate
Dimensions: 12.5” x 9.4” x 1.33” (WHD)
Weight: 1.8 Kg

Mobile Devices boom in 2008

The year 2007 has brought tremendous developments in personal computing technologies. Mobile computing was on the rise last year with sales figures indicating that notebooks swiped over desktops, which now tend to be more compact and stylish compared to the traditional tower-design casings with bulky displays. The upsurge of stronger mobile technologies promises to even create a hotter stage for mobile systems in 2008.

The launching of the Apple iPhone last year has definitely created a stir on the mobile devices arena that will eventually trigger a tsunami of technology innovations this year. One of the most interesting news in 2008 will be the dawning of Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) and Ultra Mobile PCs (UMPCs) with enhanced and longer battery life for improved wireless Internet access, instant messaging, mobile blogging, and mobile video.

Intel recently announced the formation of the Mobile Internet Device Innovation Alliance to further develop device power management, wireless communications, and software integration that are associated with delivering improved internet services for MIDs and UMPCs. Intel is set to introduce the Silverthorne processor designed for a new caste of mobile PCs smaller than notebooks and built with more features than mobile phones.

Ushering in a new era of wireless technology that promises to make smart mobile devices smarter, Google recently announced the spearheading of the Open Handset Alliance which is expected to bring together various mobile device vendors and wireless service providers in creating new mobile gadgets that will virtually work on all wireless networks.