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Microsoft Origami Unfolds

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the still-wish-it-played-games dept.

College Student writes "Microsoft has officially unveiled 'Origami', a paperback-book sized portable hybrid (laptop & PDA). From article: 'The new machines will connect wirelessly to the Internet and carry full-sized hard drives, but they are not intended to replace current PCs....The new PCs are expected to sell for between $599 to $999, but Microsoft said it is possible to sell one for $500 if the manufacturer selects components carefully.'" More details at the official Microsoft site, and via Channel 9 a look at the system with the UMPC general manager.

3 of 469 comments (clear)

  1. Looking good by drwiii · · Score: 0, Troll
    This is a phenominal concept.

    They've just created a middle market between PDAs and laptops. And it may eventually end up pigeonholing Windows Mobile to the cellphone arena. As natural market forces push the price down (at $500 it's already close to the high-end iPod), don't be surprised if this is where portable computing goes in the future. Add a Bluetooth keyboard and it's a laptop.

    It's not going to break any performance records, but then again it's not meant to. It's a PC you won't mind taking wherever life takes you.

  2. Re:Sell if for $100 and I'm in by DogDude · · Score: 0, Troll

    You're right. Anybody want to bet that the group that puts cheap technology in the hands of average (and poor) people will be Microsoft? They've already done it once. I'd put money on the fact that they'll do it before this blowhard at MIT or Harvard or wherever builds this mythical $100 laptop that hasn't even been prototyped yet. Microsoft has enabled more people access to computers than every other computer-related company on the planet. I wouldn't be surprised if they did it again, and this device was the beginning of it.

    --
    I don't respond to AC's.
  3. Re:Nokia 770 by k2r · · Score: 0, Troll

    > It runs a real operating system
    > This, as a portable computer, is far more capable than a Newton.

    Well, yes, Microsoft BOB XP.
    It tries to be everything and the kitchensink at once and will be mediocre in all aspects.
    Noboby needs a car with the horsepower and the crave for gasoline of a SUV shrinked down to the size of a "Smart"-car as a cart replacement when shopping.
    It's clunky and ugly.
    I hope it dies horribly and fast instead of becoming "industrial standard".
    I really hoped for something innovative.

    Apple, please reincarnate the Newton.

    k2r