I tried to stay away from being sucked into too much of the Origami hype, and now the details have finally come out along with a name change: Ultimate Mobile PC.

Otto Berkes, the architect and General Manager of this new device indicates via this video that this is designed to fill the gap between portable device and Tablet PC and will run any program that will run on Windows, although it might not be practical. Details:

- will ship and run with Windows XP Tablet Edition (and will be Vista ready, but no Aero glass), which includes the Tablet Input Panel (TIP)
- hard drive options will be from 30GB to 120GB
- RAM
- built-in WiFi and bluetooth enabled
- dual array microphones with noise reduction, (Otto: “would make a fantasic VoIP device.”)
- stereo speakers
- stereo headphone jack
- stylus or touch screen use
- native resolution 800×480, 7″ screen
- USB ports on both side (for keyboard, mouse, etc)
- could have a variety of additional options like compact flash
- some models will have docking capability
- VGA output (1024×768 or higher depending on card driver)
- built-in back prop in design so you can sit on desk at an angle and watch movies (I’m thinking Slingbox or Vongo on this thing already)
- will be released in the “next few months”
- expected price range: $599 - $999 USD

Coming in at and under the $599 price point the portable Windows Media Players have been a big yawn to me, but this thing has potential if the battery life doesn’t totally suck. I’m guessing battery life will be comparable to laptops (2-8 hours) depending on what hardware and software are running. The power supply wasn’t shown, but a few Channel 9 users are rightly pondering that in light of the oversized Xbox 360 brick.

It’s hard not to be optimistic about this device, especially with an architect/GM as excited as Otto. I look forward to seeing this one on store shelves, but then I’m still looking forward to seeing the Xbox 360. With the higher price, it will probably be easier to find.

Thanks Scoble, this was one of the better Channel 9 videos.

Michael Gartenberg reviews a pre-production Intel Ultimate Mobile PC unit.

Did this post make you go hmm?

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