Small x86-compatible WinXp handhelds coming this year

A new x86 compatible handheld, called UPC (ultra-personal computer) running Windows XP was presented at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Development of this device is strongly encouraged by Transmeta, which has a line of small x86 compatible processors that only use a very small amount of power and thus have a very low heat dissipation making these processors ideal for very small computers.

One of the first companies that will announce such an UPC is OQO. The device will feature a 1GHz processor from Transmeta, a 20GB hard disk, 256MB RAM, a 800*480 display, thumb keyboard and a thumbwheel. It will run Windows XP and its weight would be 14 ounces (about 400g), and measures 4.1 x 3.4 x 0.9 inches (10.4 x 8.6 x 2.29cm)

It also will be highly connective, with built-in 802.11b and Bluetooth wireless capabilities, FireWire and USB 1.1 ports, the company claimed. It provided no price for the device.

"With the growing list of companies supporting the UPC category, we see the potential for a revolution to take place in the computer industry," Dr. Matthew R. Perry, Transmeta's president and CEO said in a statement.

However, the list of UPC supporters does not yet include the names of leading PC vendors. Besides OQO, the supporters include mobile keyboard vendor Think Outside, multimedia storage vendor Silicon Motion, and data synchronization Pumatech. Notably missing are the Dells, Gateways and Hewlett-Packards of the world.

Source: Mobile Pipeline