Media slate (e.g., Apple iPad) vs. slate PC (e.g., HP Slate 500)

What's the difference between a media slate vs. a slate PC? A media slate (like an Apple iPad) is built to be a consumer device, not a professional device. However, some people may argue that you can run enterprise-level applications by running a virtual machine on a device like an iPad.

In many ways, the HP Slate 500 looks like a larger version of some of the earlier ultra-mobile PC (UMPC) units. That "origami" UMPC phenomenon that never took off. I admit that I was an early adopter of the UMPC and I purchased a Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC. I still have that 7" touch-screen tablet and I use it for a variety of things. The 7" screen was a bit too small and the lack of an active digitizer made the Q1 Ultra difficult to use for pen-based computing. However, it was nice and small (but it could have been thinner). I wonder what would happen if Microsoft tried to revive the UMPC now that Apple has plowed the road for people to adopt slate tablets. Would a Samsung UMPC sell like hotcakes if it was priced around $500 or 600?

The HP Slate 500 is a very thin device that only weighs 1.5 pounds. It has an 8.9" screen, a 1.86GHz Atom Z560 processor, 2 GB of RAM, and a 64 GB SSD, so it should run Windows 7 adequately. Compared to my Samsung Q1 Ultra, the HP Slate 500 will be much faster. I'm eager to give it a test drive.

Here is link to a video (on SlashGear) featuring Carol Hess-Nickels from HP talking about the differences between a media slate vs. a slate PC and showing you the key features of the HP Slate 500.

Which computer(s) should I take to #HIMSS10?

I'll be walking all over the place while I'm at HIMSS10 so I don't want to carry a really heavy bag. I'm debating between my Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC + keyboard, or my Lenovo ThinkPad X200 tablet PC. I often travel with both, but I doubt I'll take both for HIMSS. I'll also have my smartphone and my iPod touch.

I can effectively blog while I'm at HIMSS on almost any machine that has a decent keyboard. The problem with the Q1 Ultra is that it's so slow that I won't be very productive when I'm trying to get some work done at night. I love my ThinkPad, but it's significantly heavier than my Q1 Ultra UMPC (Ultra-Mobile PC). Does anyone still use the phrase UMPC anymore? 

Stay tuned to find out which computers and gadgets I ultimately end up taking to HIMSS10!

UPMC vs. UMPC

UPMC = The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
UMPC = Ultra-Mobile PC

The two acronyms have the same letters, but in different arrangements. Can you see why people may get them confused?

Who came up with UMPC anyways? It's hardly used these days because the UMPC movement really never took off the ground and netbooks have swept the nation. Now, if a tiny tablet or other form of miniature PC appears, people are more inclined to call them "netbooks."

To add to the confusion, we're now seeing a major movement in digital book readers like the Amazon Kindle and the Barnes and Noble Nook. As these devices evolve and incorporate color screens and Internet capabilities, how will they get classified? What will people call Apple's new iSlate tablet? Will they refer to it as a tablet PC? (I doubt that) or a giant iPod touch? (I doubt that too). They certainly won't call it a UMPC or a digital book reader (even though I'm sure it will be capable of displaying e-books).

We're causing mass confusion by adding more acronyms and names for these small gadgets that don't really fall into the category of "laptop" or "smartphone." Let's hope that 2010 is a year when we'll develop some type of standardization on this whole topic.

New mobile computers at CES

CES is coming up and we'll see some really great looking mobile computers appear at CES in January. Next week, we'll see a variety of ultra-mobile PCs (UMPCs), mobile internet devices (MIDs), micro PCs, netbooks, and many other mobile devices. Since CES is mainly geared for consumers, we may not see many devices (other than tablet PCs) that can be used in the hospital setting.

Wouldn't it be great to see something like CES that's primarily for health care professionals?

Excited about CES?

Someday, I hope to attend CES (Consumer Electronics Show). I know several people who attend every year and I'm so envious. So many innovative computers and other mobile devices (such as MIDs, UMPCs, micro computers, etc.) get presented every year at CES. Now that I think about it, it's probably better that I'm not there. Otherwise, I'd be buying things left and right when they come out. I'm very much an early adopter, but recently I've tried to slow down so that I'm not spending so much money on technology that quickly becomes obsolete.

So what about you? Are you a gadget freak? Do you own multiple computers and handheld devices? Are you an early adopter? Do people ask you questions related to technology and computers?

More details about the Fujitsu UH900

The Fujitsu UH900 looks like a really nice mini computer, doesn't it? Chippy over at UMPC Portal has some nice photos and specs on this expensive device ($1400, yikes!). Who's going to spend that type of money on a secondary device? After all, do you expect to use something like the UH900 as your main computer?

Sometimes I wonder if the term "UMPC" is dead. Everyone is talking about netbooks and they have gained tremendous popularity because of their low price point. Well, to read more about the Fujitsu LifeBook UH900 at UMPC Portal, click here.

Google Chrome OS launching soon

The Google Chrome Operating System (OS) is launching quite soon. I'm excited to see this new, lean operating system that should work quite well on ultra-mobile PCs (UMPCs) and netbooks. I plan to try Chrome OS on my Samsung Q1 Ultra (mini tablet) to see how it compares with Ubuntu, XP, and Windows 7.

If Chrome OS improves speed, efficiency, and battery life on my UMPC, then it will be a winning OS for me. After all, the Q1 Ultra has a slow processor and this device isn't meant to be used for any type of heavy computing.

Tablet PCs and drug reps

These days, when a pharmaceutical sales representative comes to your visit to provide some "drug detailing," you can expect to see some multimedia. Tablet PCs have revolutionized the way that information is now delivered. You can use a tablet and give an interactive presentation while you're standing up. There's no need to sit down and open your laptop. No need for a "slim jim" or any other type of printed visual aid if you have a color LCD screen on a tablet computer.

Sometimes I wonder if Tablet PCs have lost their "wow" factor. After all, we see computers everywhere now. So if someone comes to your office and pulls out a cool gadget (like an iPod touch or an ultra-mobile PC), the novelty factor seems lost. Maybe the upcoming Apple tablet will rejuvenate some of that lost "wow" factor and perhaps we'll see every pharma drug rep equipped with an Apple Tablet in 2010. Probably not.

Installing Windows 7 on my Samsung UMPC

I spent some time last night installing Windows 7 on my Samsung Q1 Ultra which is an ultra-mobile PC (UMPC). This tiny little tablet computer came with Windows Vista or XP Tablet. I've mainly been running XP but I've also been using Windows 7 RC (release candidate - build 7100) on this machine. Now, I'm in the process of reloading all my applications so that I can test the RTM (release to manufacturing) version of Windows 7.

I'm eager to see how Windows 7 performs on this device. Win7 RC worked fairly well. It was certainly much better compared to Vista. I'm hoping that Windows 7 with all its tablet-friendly features will motivate more physicians to start leveraging the tablet computer for its touch screen. I still see so many health care professionals using convertible tablets as laptops. Pick up the pen and use the screen, not the keyboard!

When is a netbook no longer a netbook?

One of the latest netbooks to appear on the market is the Lenovo IdeaPad S12. This machine has a 12.1" screen, so is it no longer a netbook? At $500, it's priced really well compared to other 12" ultra-portable laptops out there. Lenovo calls the S12 a "roomy 12" netbook" so they're clearly marketing the S series as netbooks.

At some point, someone will have to come up with some clear definitions on what constitutes a netbook vs. a notebook, etc. Microsoft had come up with some definitions for the term UMPC (ultra-mobile PC) back when they launched the Origami promotion. These were the specs for an UMPC:

• Windows Vista Home Premium OS
• Approximately 7" diagonal display (or smaller)
• Minimum 800 x 480 resolution
• Approximately 2 pounds
• Integrated touch panel
• WiFi- and Bluetooth-enabled
  

Well, as Windows 7 replaces Vista and XP, it should be interesting to see how mobile computers get defined and labeled.

Use multiple monitors with DisplayLink technology

I love using multiple monitors. Thanks to DisplayLink technology, it's easier than ever to use more monitors - especially when using a mobile computer like a laptop, tablet, ultra-mobile PC (UMPC), and others.

I've often wondered when desktops and laptops will start coming with two video ports. You can get desktops that are built for gaming and those will often have two DVI ports (or maybe two VGA ports if it's an older machine). However, if you're not a gamer and you don't need that level of horsepower, why spend the money?

DisplayLink is starting to appear in monitors and docking stations, so it's becoming easier than ever to use multiple monitors. If you like to multi-task and you like to open many different windows, then you may want to look into DisplayLink technology.

Is a smartphone a pocket computer?

How do you define the word "computer?" Here's how Webster defines it: a programmable usually electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data.

Today, so many devices and gadgets qualify as a computer if you choose to follow the Webster dictionary. Of course, most of us expect that personal computers will run an operating system such as Linux, Mac OS X, and Microsoft Windows.

We now have specific terms for simpler devices that don't run a complete OS. The line between a mobile internet device or MID and smartphone is getting blurred all the time. At what point will a smartphone replace all these ultra-mobile PCs (UMPCs) and micro PCs that are emerging? I often wonder about the role of these pocket-sized computers that run Windows XP, Vista, or 7. Does that really make sense? Or is Google Android sufficient?

For some people, the smartphone has become their pocket computer. They check e-mail, use Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and they browse the Internet. You've seen those commercials on television where people are using their smartphone to stay productive outside of the office. Is that realistic? Are people actually doing that? How productive can you be on such a small device?

Would you use a "mini notebook" over a netbook or notebook?

First, perhaps we have to define the term "mini notebook." I am not referring to netbooks. I'm not referring to tablet-style ultra-mobile PCs (UMPC). In my book, the category "mini notebook" is a very unique category because we see a few devices out there that don't really fall into the UMPC or netbook categories. Some may say that they're a netbook or UMPC, but I'd probably disagree.

Let me pick on two examples:

1. Sony Vaio P. This is a very slim mini notebook. It lacks a touch screen. The screen is 8" and it weighs 1.4 pounds. Some may call it a netbook, but Sony prefers not to call it a netbook. I call this device a mini notebook. It's smaller than a netbook. It could be a UMPC (since it is ultra-mobile), but that could be debatable.
2. Fujitsu U820. Fujitsu calls this device a "mini-notebook." It has a passive touch screen that is 5.6" and the device weighs 1.32 pounds. This device can be converted from a notebook to a tablet. So, it's actually a mini convertible tablet PC. Fujitsu shouldn't call it a mini notebook.
   

Are these mini notebooks practical devices? Or are they glorified toys (very expensive toys) for gadget lovers like me? They're still far too expensive to compete against netbooks. Will they survive? At some point, devices can be too small to be very useful.

As smartphones become more powerful and as they blur the line between smartphone and MID (mobile internet device), we will certainly see an evolution of mobile computing practices. What if someday, your smartphone is your entire PC? You dock it at work, use a full-size keyboard with two monitors, and then you remove it from the dock to take it home with you. Can you imagine holding that much computing power in your pocket?

Should mobile PCs have a thumb keyboard?

As more healthcare professionals use smartphones (BlackBerry, Treo, etc.) that have a thumb keyboard, they're getting fairly proficient at thumb typing. You don't need to have a T-Mobile Sidekick to know how to use a thumb keyboard.

Does it make sense to include thumb keyboards on more mobile devices such as ultra-mobile PCs (UMPC)? The OQO model 02 had a thumb keyboard. The Sony Vaio UX series also had a thumb keyboard. Samsung added a thumb keyboard to the Q1 Ultra UMPC series when the original Q1 did not have a thumb keyboard.

Does it make sense to have a thumb keyboard on smaller slate tablet PCs? If we follow the Samsung model, we see this:

• Original Q1 (slate only, no thumb keyboard)
• Q1 Ultra (slate plus thumb keyboard)
• Q1 EX (slate only, no thumb keyboard)

Does this reveal that the thumb keyboard on an ultra-mobile slate tablet PC was a flop? What about sliders? The OQO and Sony UX both included a thumb keyboard. Even the Nokia N810 MID has a thumb keyboard. However, the Viliv S5 does not. Does that make sense?

Viliv S5 reviewed by PC Magazine

The Viliv S5 Premium has been reviewed by PC Magazine. It's a tiny little PC (also known by some as an ultra-mobile PC or UMPC).

Conclusion = Fair
Bottom Line:

The Viliv S5 Premium is a pocket-sized MID with a touch-only interface and a full blown operating system, but the price is real deal-breaker here.

Pros

• Fits nicely into a large pocket. Featherweight PC. Good battery life.

Cons

• Processor not running full speed.
  
• Wireless throughput is slow.
  
• Choked during 720p HD playback.
  
• Haptic keyboard needs predictive text.
  
• Resolution too high for text on a 4.8-inch screen.
  
• Too expensive for stripped down netbook.
  
• Lacks a physical keyboard.

I'm surprised it even got 2 stars and a "fair" rating with that list of cons. The question in my mind is this: Is the ultra-mini PC market simply not practical? Without a doubt, it's not practical for most consumers. But what about for the healthcare industry? At what point does a computer become too small that it loses its value?

There must be a reason why I'm not using my OQO model 02 very much these days. I use my Samsung Q1 Ultra and Thinkpad X200 all the time. However, my model 02 simply isn't getting much use anymore. Is it simply an impractical luxury? Click here for the full review of the Viliv S5 on PC Magazine.

Does the Viliv S5 have problems with heat?

The Viliv S5 is such a tiny computer that I wonder if it has any problems with heat. My OQO model 02 has a pretty loud fan that does a decent job at keeping the entire thing relatively cool. Too bad liquid cooling technology hasn't been adopted for these tiny little computers yet.

Heat can really damage computers. Don't ever let your computer get too hot. It can ruin your hard drive (which stores all your data) and before you know it, you'll be shopping for a new one. Portable computers have some of the biggest problems with heat. Heat can also quickly ruin lithium ion batteries. That's why I remove the battery when I'm using my OQO via AC power. Most laptops place the battery away from any major heat sources. With these tiny computers or ultra-mobile PCs, you can't avoid placing a battery near a heat source. As a result, these batteries probably end up having shorter lifespans.

Viliv S5 running Windows 7: video

Take a look at this video if you like mobile computers that fit inside your purse or pocket (also called an ultra-mobile PC or UMPC). The Viliv S5 is running Windows 7.

Archos 9 Windows 7 tablet

Want to see some nice pictures of the Archos 9 Windows 7 tablet? Let me refer you to CNET in the UK where you can see some incredible photos. Click here for those pictures.

The Archos 9 Tablet is very thin and it looks like a promising ultra-mobile PC (UMPC). Maybe the Amazon Kindle will look like this one day (and maybe it will also run Windows 7 and have a color screen). Until then, I will stick with my Samsung Q1 Ultra and my Lenovo Thinkpad X200 tablets.

Here are the specs for the new Archos 9 tablet PC running Windows 7:

• Processor: Intel Atom Z515 1.2 GHz
• Video Chipset: Integrated US15W
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7
• System Memory: 1GB (DDR2 400/533) - hope you can upgrade this easily to 2 GB
  
• Display: 8.9” touch screen - 1024 x 600 pixels (passive touch, not an active digitizer)
  
• HDD: 60GB or 120GB - SSD should also be an option
  
• Communication: Ethernet 10/100
• WiFi: PCI-E interface, 2 Antennas, Support IEEE 802.11b/g
• Bluetooth 2.1
• Optional 3.5G HSUPA - Huawei EM750M 7.2Mbts module
• Audio: 2 stereo speakers
• Built-in Microphone
• Optical Finger Navigation System with Right and Left click buttons
• 1 USB 2.0 port
• Audio/headphone output
• Web cam: Built-in 1.3MP camera

Does it look like it's missing anything? I'd like to see an SD card slot, but that's about it.

Viliv X70 on video

Interested in this new device? Here's a video of the Viliv X70 ultra-mobile PC (UMPC).

Viliv S5 - coming very soon

I'd like to get my hands on a Viliv S5. The X70 EX also looks really nice, but the S5 might make a nice replacement for my OQO model 02. It's not easy to find imported electronics like the Viliv S5, but if you're an early adopter and you want to get your hands on this technology, then you should take a look at Dynamism.

• 3G HSPA (optional)
• Wake up to XP in 5 sec
• 6 hour video playback
• 200 hours Standby Time
• 4.8" WSVGA display

Sounds pretty good, doesn't it? How does $599 sound? July 16 is the magic day this little item will be available through Dynamism.