UMPC (Ultra Mobile PC) - simply explained

In addition to laptops, tablets and PDAs, UMPCs (Ultra Mobile PC) once saw the light of day. In this practical tip, we will explain exactly what it is and why nobody knows it anymore.

UMPC: What is it actually?

The first Ultra Mobile PC was presented at CeBIT in 2007. Microsoft and Intel had developed the concept of the mini computer under the code name "Origami".

• The UMPC is a small computer that weighs less than a kilogram and usually has a seven-inch touch display. A keyboard is either built directly into the device or can be connected via USB and Bluetooth.
• Like a laptop, an operating system such as Windows XP, Vista or Linux runs on the UMPC. With a webcam, WLAN, Bluetooth, USB and UMTS, the most basic functions are on board.
• The UMPC is supposed to be a mixture of PDA and laptop. On the one hand the UMPC offers the advantages of a PDA due to its small size and the touch display, on the other hand the UMPC has the functionality of a laptop. PDAs are the predecessors of smartphones.

Why are there no more UMPCs?

• Numerous manufacturers such as Sony, Samsung and Asus have launched one or more UMPCs. However, the devices could not really prevail. This was probably not only due to the moderate appearance of the devices, but also due to the short battery life of sometimes less than two hours.
• The main target group of the UMPCs were professionals who wanted to do their work on the go. With the first iPad in 2010, however, a significantly more attractive solution came onto the market.
• A British startup wanted to revive the UMPC with the KSPRO. However, the project was not funded sufficiently, so that the UMPC is probably considered extinct.

In the next practical tip we will explain to you how exactly a modern computer works.