ASUS R50A 4.8-inch UMPC announced

[amigokin]

ASUS R50A UMPC announced

http://gizmologia.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/asus_r3-thumb.jpg

The 4.8-inch ultra mobile PC which redefines “mobile” is now officially available with full PC and GPS functionality. The R50A is a complete multimedia device that will immensely help you on the road. ASUS described it as an " indispensable gadget for everyone" sporting customizable, mission-based application launcher which organizes software programs into categories and makes navigating between tasks simple.
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The UMPC also sports a built-in TV tuner, webcam, 3G/ 3.5G connectivity, and their exclusive InfoPen software with which you can record and edit on the R50A’s 1024 x 600 screen "as easily as you could on a piece of paper." No word on pricing.

Source: http://www.pclaunches.com/notebooks/asus_r50a_umpc_announced.php

ASUS R50A Notebook

http://www.pclaunches.com/entry_images/1107/19/asus_r50a.jpg

The R50A is the first UMPC that reaches the full potential of the platform. Only with the R50A do users get GPS, a webcam, 3G/ 3.5G connectivity, and full notebook functionality, making the R50A the one indispensable gadget for everyone.

Intuitive Navigation
The R50A’s customizable, mission-based application launcher organizes software programs into categories and makes navigating between tasks simple.

Enjoy Anywhere
The unit’s built-in TV tuner allows you to enjoy your favorite TV shows anywhere.

Connect Anywhere
The R50A will offer 3/ 3.5G connectivity. Users have full access to their data anywhere.

Capture and Communicate Anywhere
The R50A’s built-in webcam and microphone let users capture photos, video and audio wherever they are, and enable wire-free video communication.

Create Anywhere
The R50A has ample power to support the most popular office and productivity applications. With ASUS InfoPen software, users can record and edit on the R50A’s 1024 x 600 screen as easily as they could on a piece of paper.

Find Your Way Anywhere
ASUS brings you the first UMPC with built-in GPS. Users no longer need to deal with paper maps or ask for directions. Link up seamlessly to Google Maps, and the R50A will know your exact location.

Source: http://www.asus.com/news_show.aspx?id=8963
What do you think, guys?

[omegaone37]

Not much....

Omega

[technut]

I think I don't need a TV tuner, and I'm probably not going to like the price.

[johnkzin]

what OS is it running? The UI looks vaguely leopard-ish... and Asus supposedly is working with Apple on a tablet (according to Asus).

Don't need a tv tuner. Don't need a webcam (really, a waste of space, even on the N8x0 series) ... I'd rather have a picture/video camera. The side edges look a little "busy" (lots of buttons).

What are its physical dimensions? What's the price going to be?

[Moonshine]

They gave the Eee PC the "low" resolution screen? Seems funny. :D

[rs-px]

No wifi? Just vague talk of 3/3.5G communications. Could include wimax, I suppose.

I actually think this is an exciting device, and it takes handheld computing into new directions with its TV tuner and wider screen. It looks just about pocketable but also fairly heavy.

Don't expect much from the OS, if it's anything like that of the Asus Eee. That was just the ancient IceWM with some bits bolted on, all on top of a Xandros Linux base. I tell you, with Nokia's Maemo, we have luxury. Other vendors just don't take that much care :)

[vvaz]

While features are nice it is too big.

[Ninja]

what OS is it running? The UI looks vaguely leopard-ish... and Asus supposedly is working with Apple on a tablet (according to Asus).

Don't need a tv tuner. Don't need a webcam (really, a waste of space, even on the N8x0 series) ... I'd rather have a picture/video camera. The side edges look a little "busy" (lots of buttons).

What are its physical dimensions? What's the price going to be?
Actually the sidebar looks like the standard one in Vista.

Ninja

[jonmlee]

not too impressed with the form factor. looks like a psp. i like my n800 more.

[ArnimS]

Controls on both sides = good.

Location of dpad and buttons = bad (too low)

[Milhouse]

A 4.8" screen means the screen alone is as big as a N810! Then add in the side panels festooned with buttons - another inch each? - and you have a fairly chunky and definately not pocket friendly device.

It's unlikely to be using the as yet unavailable low power Intel x86 chips, so will almost certainly have to pack a large (and heavy) battery to get anything near a reasonable uptime.

The super high resolution screen is nice, but such a resolution is essential when using Windows because Windows applications are no longer designed with lower resolution desktop screens in mind. A small-screen optimised OS wouldn't need such a beast. Small text could become an issue on such a small and high dpi screen, particularly when running applications where the target audience is expected to have big desktop screens - I'm sure Windows will try to scale the fonts but they could still end up unreadable.

Price - almost certainly expensive, nudging $1000 or more I bet.

It will be interesting to see how it fares but it looks like it's just another UMPC, which is a form factor that should have died a death a long time ago - this is probably (hopefully) it's last breath. MID will become the new UMPC.

:)

[Milhouse]

Apparently it might (http://www.umpcportal.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1059) be using the new Intel Menlow low power processors due in 2008... 4-5 hours battery life may be feasible. Maybe it will be a MID too... :)

It still looks a bit too chunky for me but at the right price with the right OS and low power hardware it could hit the spot...

[mike-y]

I like it. the n8xx are a bit on the small side, so I welcome something with a slightly bigger screen. I never carry my 770 in my pocket anyway, its always in my backpack pocket. I'd like to see something that large with a slide out keyboard though. I like the idea and larger screen, but it sounds like the price is going to be high. Anything over $500 is in the "I can get a laptop instead" range for me.

[johnkzin]

Anything over $500 is in the "I can get a laptop instead" range for me.


Walmart has laptops for less than $500. I think it's closer to $300 these days. And, IIRC, there's a linux laptop web page that goes into detail on what things you need to do to install ubuntu on it (what drivers you need, etc.).


So, my "I can get a laptop instead" price threshold is "$300". If something is in a laptop size and shape, it can't cost more than the Walmart special that has known ubuntu drivers. The EEE PC has _never_ been a contender, IMO, because it costs too much.


But my main point is: saying "I could just buy a laptop" is a silly comparison to make. Clearly, if I wanted a laptop, I'd buy a laptop. What I want is decidedly not a laptop. Laptops are huge, fragile, and don't offer me the things I get from a NIT. That's why I just spent slightly more than a Walmart-special on an N810.

For me, the issue isn't "does it cost more than a laptop? if it does, I'll get a laptop". The issue is "does it pack the right features into a palmtop device, in a form factor that has a decent usability design". So, I see the ASUS R50A and think it's a little too big, and there are TOO MANY buttons on the side bars (thus, in my estimation, lowering its usability). It doesn't matter to me how its cost compares to a laptop, because that's not even close to being an important decision point in evaluating it as a competitor to the NIT family. The only way price would factor in is: how does its price compare to a 770/N800/N810, given what its feature set, size, and usability ratings are.

[mike-y]

well, $500 to me is a "functional" laptop. As in fast processor, mass storage, and the ability to run regular pc apps. Things like the Asus eee doesn't quite meet that category. If I need to sacrifice those things for a portable web browser (which I am willing to do), I want it to be cheaper than $500 (which is where the 810 fits in).

[4 o u r 5 i v e]

looks like an "oversized PSP"

[ArnimS]

Walmart has laptops for less than $500. I think it's closer to $300 these days. And, IIRC, there's a linux laptop web page that goes into detail on what things you need to do to install ubuntu on it (what drivers you need, etc.).

So, my "I can get a laptop instead" price threshold is "$300". If something is in a laptop size and shape, it can't cost more than the Walmart special that has known ubuntu drivers. The EEE PC has _never_ been a contender, IMO, because it costs too much.

But my main point is: saying "I could just buy a laptop" is a silly comparison to make. Clearly, if I wanted a laptop, I'd buy a laptop. What I want is decidedly not a laptop. Laptops are huge, fragile, and don't offer me the things I get from a NIT. That's why I just spent slightly more than a Walmart-special on an N810.

For me, the issue isn't "does it cost more than a laptop? if it does, I'll get a laptop". The issue is "does it pack the right features into a palmtop device, in a form factor that has a decent usability design". So, I see the ASUS R50A and think it's a little too big, and there are TOO MANY buttons on the side bars (thus, in my estimation, lowering its usability). It doesn't matter to me how its cost compares to a laptop, because that's not even close to being an important decision point in evaluating it as a competitor to the NIT family. The only way price would factor in is: how does its price compare to a 770/N800/N810, given what its feature set, size, and usability ratings are.

Best post in this thread. (hence the repeat by quoting)