UMPCs, or ultra-mobile PCs, are the new wave in the world of mobile computing. Their appeal to consumers lies in their ability to access online media and having the functionality of a standard notebook computer in a small form factor.

Lee believes that the UMPC is well-suited for those who want a secondary PC for everyday computing needs at an affordable price.

Pang says demand for UMPCs will grow in tandem with the need to be productive while on the go and the need for constant connectivity and information flow.

Simply put, the UMPC has the right size, weight and features compared to the large footprint and weight of current notebooks, making it a truly mobile computing product.

With consumers excited about UMPCs, big PC players such as Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Acer, Fujitsu and Lenovo are jumping onto the idea of adding these ultra-compact options to their mobility portfolio.

For example, Fujitsu came into the UMPC market with the LifeBook U1010 last year, followed by the lower-priced U810. HP made its entry with the HP Mini Note PC. And Acer announced at the recent Computex event in Taiwan its Aspire One, which is said will challenge current low-cost UMPCs in the

market when it is launched in the next few weeks.

Not to be outdone, Dell is apparently having one in the works while Lenovo has got something brewing for customers looking for “true mobility”.

Although Lenovo would not say when it will launch its version of the UMPC equivalent, its director, consumer product group Asia-Pacific Matt Codrington has hinted that consumers can expect to see some change from the company soon with new products suitable for home users, students and highly mobile users.

“Consumers can expect great features at very affordable prices,” he adds.

In terms of UMPCs impacting segments of the consumer market, Dell Malaysia’s general manager Pang Yee Beng says, “Due to its competitive pricing and greater mobility form factor, there will be consumers who will opt for it over the conventional notebook. However, corporate and power users will still require the processing power that the traditional notebook offers.”

He also points out that demand for UMPCs will grow in tandem with the need to be productive while on the go and the need for constant connectivity and information flow.

“Notebooks are no longer used specifically for functionality; they serve as personality extensions for many consumers,” he says.

“Another key factor is speed of information. Consumers now want the latest news and buzz at their fingertips regardless of whether they are at home, office or on the go.”

HP Malaysia’s country general manager, personal systems group Danny Lee believes that the UMPC is well-suited for those who want a secondary PC for everyday computing needs – for example, network access, standard business applications and process simplification – at an affordable price.

Touting the HP Mini Note PC, he says this model serves as an affordable mobile solution for the masses both in emerging and mature markets. Its emphasis is on functionality and user experience. For example, the model’s 8.9-inch display and 92 per cent of a full-sized keyboard are practical for end users who expect to use this machine for any length of time.