I'm down with UMPC…yeah, you know me…

I'm down with UMPC…yeah, you know me…

Apr 05

I would totally buy one of these.

The dream/nightmare of device convergence is racing at us at an alarming rate, although content providers seem content to pretend that the evil pirates will someday hop back onto their ships and the rest of the world will return to calmly planting themselves in front of a couch to watch television, placing a plastic disc into any of a variety of trays when the time comes to enjoy recorded media.

Like the video iPod, which I lusted for and then got and now lust for even as I stare at it on my desk, the Ultra-Mobile Personal Computer has enormous potential to change the way things ARE. This tiny thing is basically a low-end laptop, but the size of a hardcover book.

I fantasize about sticking it in my bag, taking it to Starbucks and sitting there writing on it while the world passes me by. Sure, I guess I can do that with a laptop, but…but…this is a UMPC! See?!

Of course, the price is WAY too high, so this revolution may stutter before it can start. Imagine this device costing less than $500, though–a small portable device that is media player, personal computer, information organizer, datebook/planner/address book, and even phone (via VOIP) all in one.

I’m woozy.