Medion muscles into UMPC market
Launches GoPal S2310 sat nav device too
Medion has officially launched its debut device in the ultra-mobile PC arena: the UMPC RIM 1000, first seen at CES in Las Vegas earlier this year. At the same time the manufacturer announced its latest sat nav GPS device - the GoPal S2310.
The the UMPC RIM 1000 incorporates a VIA C7-M 770 ULV processor - chosen, we were told, over an an Intel processor to prolong battery life - 30GB HD, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and a 6.5in TFT colour touch screen. It will cost around £799 inc VAT and in addition to the usual retail suspects, it will also be made available in selected supermarkets in an experiment to gauge modern IT market preferences.
Available from May, the device measures 190 x 121 x 28.3mm and weighs in at 740g and comes with Windows Vista Home Premium software, SD/MMC slot, two USB ports and a pull-out QWERTY keyboard. The dimensions given are not with the keyboard extended.
The GoPal S2310 comes with GoPal Navigator AE 2.5 software, 2GB memory and a 2.8in colour TFT touch screen in an actually quite sturdy (and apparently) splash-proof casing. But the additional detail the manufacturer is keen to promote is the inclusion of the MP3 player. With the inclusion of now almost standard features such as Bluetooth and Google Earth compatibility, and a price tag of £199 inc VAT, it's difficult to determine at this early stage whether this particular product will succeed over its competition.
COMMENTS
mmm...
.... and they've managed to make it relatively sexy as well. Not exactly cheap though - if you can buy the Sony for 100 quid more the Medion might be a tough sell.
Any thoughts on the split keyboard?
Pricing will be deciding factor
It is interesting to see that they'll be selling these UMPCs in supermarkets to increase awareness, but I think they will be severely limited by that price.
I am definitely in the target market for these devices I own a high spec PC, my wife has a high performance laptop, my phone is an all singing/dancing Window Mobile device etc., and an UMPC is definitely a desirable item for me.
But they are only ever something I want not something I even remotely need and at £800 ($1600-odd) I can't justify buying one. I think until they fall to the £200-£400 range which is comparable to a low priced laptop it will only be an oddity for the rich geek and show-off city-boy.
