Microsoft Gets Into The UMPC Race

I am sure this is not news to many people, nor is it unexpected. Microsoft has always been on the edge of cutting edge. They seem to wait to see how a new trend or idea is going to fair in the market before making an investment or product.

The UMPC from Microsoft, named "Origami," is another fairly high end PC that is highly portable. It will run a version of Vista and have some decent hardware specs (see some below.)

The link for the Microsoft page covering the Origami also displays what one would believe to be direct competitors to the Origami. This is a bit of odd marketing. Maybe they are trying to associate their product with more well know ones in the market. Maybe they are doing a direct side by side comparison to them.

I am sure Microsoft has a good reason for this comparison strategy. The Origami is listed as being available mid 2008.

Hardware specifications

Windows Vista Home Premium OS
Approximately 7" diagonal display (or smaller)
Minimum 800 x 480 resolution
Approximately 2 pounds
Integrated touch panel
WiFi- and Bluetooth-enabled