Smart & Wired: Going Mobile
January 1, 2008
Choosing a UMPC isn’t as simple as choosing a laptop or desktop, because most UMPC manufacturers aren’t household names. Your best bet, says Paine, is making a list of what you will be using your device for and matching it up with what’s available.
"It’s not a simple case of comparing specifications and choosing a known brand. You should be thinking about whether you need a keyboard, a thumbboard, or even no keyboard at all," he says. "How much Internet connectivity? How much battery life?"
You can go for a bells-and-whistles model that features a built-in camera, fingerprint reader, docking station and GPS navigation, or choose a more bare-bones model. UMPC prices range from $1,000 to $2,400.
Peter Lord enjoys his UMPC so much that he’s currently shopping for a second, which he intends to use almost exclusively outside, he says. "The screens are so bright, it’s easy to use them outdoors to control everything, and keep up with what’s going on in the office."
TabletKiosk, www.tabletkiosk.com
TabletPC2, www.tabletpc2.com
UMPCPortal, www.umpcportal.com
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