Original URL: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/04/04/fujitsu_concept_pcs/
Fujitsu has put on show a pair of conceptual PC designs, one intended to show how an "ultra-mobile" machine might operate, the other a home computer system which looks funky enough but probably won't give Apple's industrial designers any sleepless nights.
The UMPC concept is certainly topical, what with the launch of Microsoft's Origami Project and the announcement of real-world products from the likes of Samsung based on the design, co-engineered with Intel. Devices like Samsung's expensive Q1 (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/04/03/samsung_q1_umpc_uk_pricing/) are keyboard-free kit on the assumption that ordinary folk would prefer to use a stylus.
No, we're not convinced either, not now that world+dog has had 30-odd years to grow accustomed to computers with keyboards. Fujitsu's UMPC cleverly squares the circle by providing a small form-factor clamshell chassis with a fold out keyboard. The computer would be the size of a CD case, the company said.
Fujitsu's "flexbile-use PC" is less inspiring. It's essentially a three-way system: keyboard, display and computer. These three components connect wirelessly, so you can lift off the screen and carry it around, interacting with the computer unit using a stylus, tablet fashion.
Fujitsu's machine is, perhaps, a step toward Asus' concept system, revealed by Reg Hardware in February 2006. Asus' machine uses wireless to link all the system's components, from memory and hard drives to the CPU and so on.
Fujitsu's concept machines are on show this week in Milan's Triennale di Milano as part of an Japanese Design exhibition. ®
MS, Mitsubishi tout translucent touchscreen concept (29 August 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/08/29/ms_touchscreen_concept/
Asus shows off bamboo-clad 'eco' laptop (27 June 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/06/27/asus_ecobook/
Intel restyles laptop as wireless fashion accessory (16 April 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/04/16/intel_catwalks_concept_pc/
British boffins demo 150dpi bendy display (24 October 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/10/24/plastic_logic_demos_bendy_display/
Asus announces GPS-equipped UMPC (25 August 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/08/25/asus_announces_umpc/
Designer punts 'perfect' portable workstation (8 August 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/08/08/joao_carneiro_portable_workstation/
Sony unveils Flash-based UMPC (27 June 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/06/27/sony_umpc_goes_flash/
Samsung hails single-chip 7in LCD panel (2 May 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/05/02/samsung_single-chip_7in_lcd/
Samsung UMPC to ship worldwide 1 May (13 April 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/04/13/samsung_sets_q1_ship_date/
Averatec touts 3G, Wi-Fi UMPC (13 April 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/04/13/averatec_ahi_umpc/
Asus unveils Dolby-driven laptops (7 April 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/04/07/asus_dolby-driven_laptops/
Fujitsu touts four-way slider phone (4 April 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/04/04/fujitsu_concept_slider_phone/
Samsung UMPC to cost UK buyers £800 (3 April 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/04/03/samsung_q1_umpc_uk_pricing/
Intel unveils 'juggernaut' computer for rural India (31 March 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/03/31/intel_jaagruti_indian_pc/
Handheld Xbox: third time lucky for MS iPod killer scheme? (21 March 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/03/21/ms_ipod_killer_speculation/
Intel spills beans on UMPC (7 March 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/03/07/intel_umpc_concept/
Asus dreams up modular PC of the future (23 February 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/02/23/asus_concept_shelf_pc/