Microsoft Origami Unfolds

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.

The Reactions To Oragami Around The Net

[Anonymous Coward]

The reactions to Oragami remind me of on of my favorite bits from HitchHikers Guide:

"One of Zaphod's heads looked away. The other one looked round to see what the first was looking at, but it wasn't looking at anything very much."

Re:Tablet PC

[Anonymous Coward]

It seems that Microsoft feel the Tablet PC concept didn't fail badly enough the last time they tried it, so in true Microsoft fashion they've reworked it, rebranded it and relaunched it as a NEW! EXCITING! same old thing. Except now they look like Sega GameGears and have a cheap plastic stand that fold out. Woo.

Re:Nokia 770

[Vengeance]

Not entirely:

THIS will have a battery life of about 2 hours, maybe 3 on the outside.

Operating system : Windows XP....

[inmortal]

And how much is the cost of the operating system?

Ironic: Will they sell a version "empty" (without OS)?

Maybe you can install linux to it and then sell the windows OS and then have it for 100$ "less"?

cya

Re:Nokia 770

[JFlex]

Yes it does.. but this one is gonna run Windows.. so its gotta be better!

UK:R had it right

[Rydia]

"Microsoft Is Putting a PC in a Different Kind of Box" [ukresistance.co.uk]

Re:You want intelligent design here, not evolution

[PFI_Optix]

Most likely, you will find that any product made by Apple is of excellent design right out of the box.

You've obviously never used OS 8.

Don't monkey around. Get a Mac. It is the intelligent choice.

No, thanks. Don't like the things myself. Ever since the first iMac and Apple's abomination called iPod, I just have no use for their products. I can get the same (actually, better) level of functionality with a lot less money by going elsewhere.

But kudos on a well-written propa...err...post :D

My prediction re: Origami

[Mille Mots]

My prediction is that the various manufacturers will fold early in the game. The design is just not cut out for success.

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Competition for RadioShack TRS-80 Pocket Computer

[AppleTwoGuru]

"This new TRS-80 Computer is another "first" from the company which brought you the best-selling, world renowned TRS-80. A truly pocket-sized Computer (not a programmable calculator). Of course it is an ultra-powerful calculator too... And it "speaks" BASIC - - the most common computer language, and the easiest to learn. You'll soon be impressed by the phenomenal computing power of this hand-held TRS-80 - - ideal for mathematics, engineering and business application."

http://oldcomputers.net/trs80pc1.html [oldcomputers.net]

MS license fee

[bombadillo]

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.'"

The Microsoft spokesman added. Yeah you could definitely get a $500 dollar price point if you installed linu..... I mean less ram....

Re:A few questions:

[Jearil]

speaking of pictures..

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/umpc/howtobuy.m spx [microsoft.com]

anyone notice how horrid Microsoft seems to be with photoshop? The screen isn't even on the device! Or maybe that's a new feature... able to move the screen around off of the device.

Someone's gonna get in trouble over that ;p

Re:Nokia 770

[at_slashdot]

Isn't this similar to the Nokia 770?

Only more expensive...

It's also uglier, on the flip side it probably can run all the viruses that are available for Windows.

Re:A few questions:

[Ucklak]

Microsoft use Photoshop? No, that Acrylic!!
http://www.microsoft.com/products/expression/en/gr aphic_designer/default.aspx [microsoft.com]

Re:A few questions:

[SeeMyNuts!]

That's the new BSOD feature. The screen physically slides off and melts into a pile of goo on the floor. The box comes with five BSOD replacement kits, with the BSODs timed to have the kits run out right after the warranty expires.

full versions of software?

[lucas teh geek]

From microsoft.com:

Full-size software
Use full versions of Microsoft Office system software, Internet Explorer, and other Windows-compatible applications.

and

Hardware Specifications
Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 OS
Approximately 7" diagonal display (or smaller)
Minimum 800 x 480 resolution
Approximately 2 pounds
Integrated touch panel
WiFi- and Bluetooth-enabled

Oh, its gonna be fun using full versions of Word on that 7", 480px high screen! thats probably almost enough to see all the toolbars