3. The Alternatives And The Future Of UMPCs

What about the competition? Sony's promising but as yet undelivered $1,800 VAIO UX Micro PC and Fujitsu's great $1,400 P1500D Tablet PC are both viable alternatives to UMPCs. OQO's Model 01+ micro PC at $1,900 with the Tablet PC operating system needs some promised upgrading, but it too could play in the same ballpark as UMPCs.

It also looks like Microsoft has seen the light and the real potential. We'll be seeing significant redesigns by this year's holiday season and the company says that more laptop and notebook manufacturers are looking into producing UMPCs. Some, like Asus, may offer their UMPCs with built-in keyboards. And, Intel may get into the act with their new ultra low voltage Core Duo CPU.

I remain bullish on UMPCs. Samsung has promised to get me a Q1 to look at soon. I wait with bated breath.

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