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Too large to be considered "ultra mobile," too small to be a viable tablet replacement. Microsoft's right that there needs to be a form factor somewhere between a laptop and a PDA, but this ain't it.

Looks good to me, however some wonder about the market:

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From PCMAG:

Origami: Cool Product, But Where is the Market?

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Origami: Cool Product, But Where is the Market?

This morning everyone seems to be talking about “Origami” – the new set of tiny computers and new software. Intel introduced the hardware platform – called ultra-mobile PCs (UMPC) at its Intel Developer Forum earlier this week, and Microsoft unveiled the software – coded called “Origami” but now called “UltraMobile PC” at CeBit earlier today. Samsung has announced the first machine slated for release in the U.S, with ASUS following. Foundry announced a unit for sale in Asia, and other vendors are expected to follow suit.

I look at these and think it’s a great concept, but I wonder about its practical application. Effectively, these look like smaller Tablet PCs but with a touch screen interface. Microsoft folks say these machines are designed to make it easy to take music, movies, photos, and documents on the Go, but it’s not meant to replace laptops, full-size regular Tablet PCs or cell phones.

The first such device we have a lot of information on is Samsung’s Q1. It has a 7-inch display, a Celeron M processor, a 40-GB hard disk and WiFi. Other devices will apparently have Pentium M or Via C-7 processors, and up to 60-GB hard disks. You could potentially add a variety of options, including GPS, Bluetooth headsets, and potential wireless WAN capabilities. The base unit from Samsung will sell for $600 to $1000 when it becomes available in April.

Initially these machines will be running Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005, with a new extension called Microsoft Touch Pack for Windows XP, designed to let you navigate the device by simply touching the screen (without a stylus). Eventually, this will be replaced by Vista, which will have tablet PC and touch built-in. And it has a new skin for Windows Media Play and a touch-based Sudoku game.

The Samsung unit looks very nice, but even if it’s a great design, I wonder who will buy it, at least in the short run. I understand it’s not meant to replace a cell phone (it’s too big) or a laptop (too small, and no keyboard). But at two pounds and over $600, it’s not going to replace your iPod or even the combination of a music player and a portable gaming device. Again, it’s just too big.

I can see this replacing the “slate” version of Tablet PCs in some vertical markets where the devices are just used for entering data and filling out forms. These devices should be less expensive and easier to carry than Tablet PC slates.

I could imagine it for some students as an interactive e-book, and it won’t at all surprise me if eventually we do see that kind of a market developing. But it will slow going – getting the curriculum ready is a big challenge. And I’m not sure students in the U.S. will be ready to give up a built-in keyboard anytime soon. Maybe in some overseas markets.

For consumers, it may be even harder. Yes, this should be offer a better experience for viewing photos or movies than a cell phone or a music palyer, because of the larger screen. But I’m not sure who will want to carry this around all the time – it’s just too big. Eventually, I could see it replacing the protable DVD player, but those are really inexpensive these days.

As prices decrease and digital content increases, I can see a place for UltraMobile PCs, but I think it will be a while until we see widespread adoption of these things. Of course, that was true for PCs and notebooks as well.

Here are some links to our coverage:

Microsoft, Samsung Launch "Origami" Ultra-Mobile PC

What Will Make 'Origami' Devices Tick?

Origami Fever Spreads

Via aims 2-chip PC core at Ultra Mobile PC designs

posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 10:36 AM by MichaelMiller

I got an email heads up on this from one of my nephews who is a premier computer tech weenie.

With all of our investments and most of our banking done on the computer plus communication from key relatives and friends via email, even my ludite wife has been saying we may need a portable device to keep up with the above during vacations and trips away from home.

We could pull up at the local McDs or where ever we can get a wireless access to the internet. Do what we need to do and check emails and get out of there.

There have been rumors that the new AT$T/SBC Yahoo would have something like this later this spring to do what we want. This may have been the basis of the rumor.

I'd just be happy if MS actually supported their crappy Pocket PC OS.

I'd hit it.