Microsoft Unfolds Origami

Microsoft and Intel and three PC makers finally took the wraps off the "Origami Project" Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) — a new category of PCs that are sized between a handheld and a laptop. The machines, with Intel processors, will run a version of Microsoft Windows XP Tablet edition along with Microsoft's Touch Pack software designed for this form factor, according to Microsoft VP Bill Mitchell.

I had a chance to play with one the new machines at the CeBIT Technology Fair in Hannover, Germany. The one I tried is the Q1 by Samsung. Asus and Founder are also building PCs in this category. As expected, it looks and acts pretty much like the Microsoft Tablet PC with some notable exceptions. The most obvious, of course is size and weight. The design specification calls for a seven-inch or smaller screen and a weight of less than two pounds. The other is that you can use your fingers or any stylus on the touch screen instead of a special (and expensive) electronic stylus. Also, the Touch Pack software changes the user interface slightly to make it easier to navigate and select programs. Otto Berkes, general manager of Microsoft's Ultra-Mobile Personal Computer Division, envisions people using the device while "in a handheld mode" and says that the software enhancements make this easier. The device, for example, has controls under the thumbs to "access commands very easily as a handheld."

Microsoft says that the machines will have a battery life of two-and-a-half hours or more and come with a 30- to 60-gigabyte hard drives as well as WiFi (wireless networking) and Bluetooth connectivity.

The Samsung Q1 has built-in stereo microphones that allows it to be used as a voice recorder. Unfortunately for podcasters and radio reporters, the Samsung doesn't have a microphone input but you can plug in a USB microphone adapter. It does have audio out as well as built-in speakers.

The key to any new category of machines is what they will do that can't be done by earlier machines, and the answer is both nothing and lots of thing. It's nothing because it is basically a smaller version of portable PCs that have been on the market for years. But it's potentially lots of things if, as Microsoft claims, its size encourages people to use it in ways that they don't now use laptops. That's an interesting question. I spoke with one colleague who argues that it's the absolute wrong size — too big to be a pocket-sized personal digital assistant and too small to be a portable PC. Indeed it is too big to put into a pocket (except perhaps an overcoat) and without a built-in keyboard it's not as convenient as a full-featured laptop. However, Microsoft claims that its size makes it convenient for people on the go who want to pull it out of a handbag, briefcase or backpack to quickly check e-mail, visit a Web site or perhaps listen to music or watch a video.

There is one problem. In its current iteration it isn't instant on/instant off. You still have to boot Windows. That's an issue with any PC but especially one designed to be used in a handheld mode. One thing I love about BlackBerrys, Palm PCs or Microsoft Mobile devices is the fact that they turn on instantly. Windows has a "suspend" mode which in theory lets it go into a sleep mode and wake up at the push of a button, but that mode is notoriously unreliable in Windows. There is some talk that that may improve after Microsoft releases its upcoming Vista operating system at the end of this year.

Clearly a few minutes playing with a machine at a trade show is no substitute for a hands-on review so my impressions are purely preliminary, but I can imagine using a machine like this for things like watching movies or Web browsing. Unlike a PDA, it uses the same browsers as PCs and has a large enough screen to support all of today's Web sites. I could also see carrying it around in a briefcase during the day and then plugging in a keyboard to use at night or when at the office. It remains to be seen if gamers flock to it, but it's certainly a good size — not too far off from the size of the PlayStation Portable.

Still, I have some nagging concerns. I'm not 100 percent sure the market will embrace this in-between form factor. Microsoft has to convince potential users that having something a bit smaller will make a big difference and whether they can do that remains in doubt. As for me, I'm looking forward to taking it on the road with me to see if it lives up to its claims.

By Larry Magid