Intel's 2008 vs 2007 Mobile Internet Devices

We've seen 'em before, but seeing Intel's Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) side-by-size definitely brings a strong visual to their Ultra Mobile strategy. As you've probably already guessed, that's their codenamed, "Menlow" reference design on the left which some OEM will surely pickup in the 2008 timeframe. And yeah, it's an honest to goodness functioning device already shown-off during their MID platform's unveiling. On the right, the lowly-by-comparison "McCaslin" class device due later this year. Check the tiny Silverthorn-class processor comparison after the break.

[scabby @ Apr 20th 2007 8:15AM]

That CPU on top-right is hotness (and I'm not talking about temperature). I'll take several, please.

[Ivo @ Apr 20th 2007 9:41AM]

It's going to be a beautiful summer! Let's go outside:

http://www.gadgetfriends.net/?q=intel+mobile+devices+OR+intel+metro+laptop

[Brian @ Apr 20th 2007 10:43AM]

No phone, no care.

[rektide @ Apr 20th 2007 11:56AM]

And checkout the *huge* northbridge. What a frigging waste. There is no reason that stuff cant be migrated on chip! It would certainly simplify these systems greatly.

[Kevin @ Apr 20th 2007 12:01PM]

This whole UMPC thing is really silly to me. So they made it smaller and sleeker... Wow... almost a PDA... I mean this platform really has no chance of existing. In 5 years, the PDA / smartphone / UMPC market will have already converged.

The average person can pick up a device like a Cingular 8525 / T-mobile MDA or whatever. With the exception of T-mobile, you have 3G internet. Yeah, the browsers suck, but the new opera is a huge improvement and these things are only going to get better. It also has a full keyboard. So I'm just not seeing the advantage of a UMPC. Ripoff prices, shitty battery life, and the guarantee of it being completely replaced the following year.

I'll stick with my smartphone / laptop combo please.

[Meredith @ Apr 20th 2007 1:35PM]

That looks like a pretty sexy keyboard on the right, though. From this angle it looks almost as good as my Sidekick 2 keyboard, which is what keeps me tethered to that device...I just love the keyboard.

[OddManOut @ Apr 20th 2007 2:07PM]

Anybody else get a really strong Sony VGN-UX50 vibe from these devices ?

These MIDs are much more appealing to me than the UMPCs have been thus far (though they are improving at a good clip as well). As for having your phone do everything, yeah...having been to Japan I've seen the future 'Kevin' is describing.

But me personally, I wouldn't want to watch a movie, listen to music, or surf the web on my phone (screens too small and I'd rather not run the battery down for frivolous stuff). So a tiny computer running a full blown desktop OS with the option of the integrated keyboard or a folding full size one, and a 5" - 7" VGA/SVGA+ display is pretty appealing to me.

The real question is whether or not there are enough people with similar tastes to allow such a device to break out of niche status...

[paul @ Apr 20th 2007 4:08PM]

Don't buy one until the display screen is replaced by micro-projector.

[ug @ Apr 20th 2007 6:38PM]

==
The average person can pick up a device like a Cingular 8525 / T-mobile MDA or whatever. With the exception of T-mobile, you have 3G internet.
==

I have a Cingular 8125 and the user experience pales in comparison to a laptop. Smartphones today are still too slow, low res, unresponsive, and lacking in applications.

[Bryan Rhoads @ May 1st 2007 3:15PM]

Video is here:
http://blogs.intel.com/technology/2007/04/perspective_from_inside_intel.html