UMPCs and MIDs: the difference, according to Intel
Since we've seen more news on small laptops, Internet Tablets and other exciting mobile devices lately, now might be a good time for a level set; especially for our newer readers. UMPCs, or Ultra Mobile Personal Computers, have generally been small Intel or VIA powered Windows machines with touch capabilities. That's not an all encompassing definition by any means, but it suffices to get you started. Some will rightfully call the Nokia Internet Tablets (the 770, N800 and new N810) a UMPC as well because it is ultra mobile, fitting in your pocket, and it is a personal computer, just not in the Microsoft Windows sense since it runs a form of Linux.
What about MIDs or Mobile Internet Devices? Intel is in the mix again (although there are others as well) but their focus is an even smaller device with little to no emphasis on productivity applications according to the CPU manufacturer. Bear in mind that you can be productive with web applications, so again, this isn't an end-all, be-all definition; it's more of an approach as outlined by Intel. For more info on that outline, check out Intel's MID & UMPC page. Which device is right for you? We cover many of the devices with reviews and opinions, but in the end, the right device for you is the one that best meets your needs and budget!
Wouldn't it be much easier to state that a UMPC can run Microsoft Office and a MID can't...
A MID running OpenOffice (or similar) with a 7" display would work for me for most uses, but I also use Windows only software for programing industrial PLCs and this would need a XP based machine.
Posted by: PJE | October 22, 2007 at 08:02 AM
Who wants a computer without productivity software?
What is this? A toy or the new version of the 1950's transistor radio?
Posted by: steve | October 22, 2007 at 11:20 AM
That's a terrible selling point. It does less, and the screen is smaller? That's great!
Now, if they pitched it as being a smaller, lighter, more pocketable unit with longer battery life, then I'd be interested. Sell me on how a MID can last me all day, but a UMPC is only usable for a few hours. Tell me that I'm buying a more flexible system. Sell the portability and power management, the connectivity, the overall responsiveness, etc.
With sales pitches like this, I'd rather spend the extra dosh on an OQO.
Posted by: Chris K | October 22, 2007 at 01:21 PM
JK,
Tim from VIA here. To add to the confusion :)We at VIA (who have the more UMPCs actually available on the market) call them UMDs (ultra mobile devices) which are for us, mobile x86 based devices smaller than 7" screens. If its smaller than a 5" screen we call them IMPs... a fun little an acronym that stands for Internet Media Players.
Just our 2 cents :)
Tim
Timothy J. Brown
International Marketing Manager
VIA Technologies, Inc.
www.via.com.tw.
Posted by: Tim | October 22, 2007 at 10:22 PM