Ultra-Mobile PCs (UMPCs) have been available in the past but the latest crop is garnering more interest due to capability and cost. They are also finding their way into more embedded applications.
I had a chance to take a hands-on look at Pepper Computer’s PepperPad3—distributed by Hanbit America—and Samsung’s Q1B. Both are compact, lightweight and have touch-screen, color LCD displays. They also have mobile hard drives and 802.11b/g wireless support. The PepperPad 3’s AMD LX800 GEODE processor is typical for this class of machine.
Despite many common components, these machines have distinct differences depending upon their intended application. Most are targeted at general consumer use in conjunction with existing PC and laptop computers, although they are fully-functional PCs.
PepperPad 3
The PepperPad 3 is powered by a 533MHz AMD LX800 GEODE processor with access to 256Kbytes of RAM. It has a 20Gbyte hard drive and support for 802.11b/g and Bluetooth wireless, as well as rubber-covered USB and audio ports. Its infrared support also acts as an infrared remote control.
There’s a 640-by-480 pixel camera primarily designed for video conferencing, since it’s aimed at the user. It’s currently supported only by the image viewer application. Expect more for this peripheral in the future.
Standard applications include Game Pack 1, Mail, Music Library, Photo Library, Radio, Remote Control, Web, Video Library, Journal, eBook Library and Talk. The web application is actually Firefox.
One thing that caught my eye was the use of Linux and Java. The PepperPad runs Pepper Linux but the Java-based user interface hides it almost completely. I found wonderful ways to dig down like using the web browser with an URL like file:///.
Developers have gone to great lengths to isolate users from the underlying system to the detriment of power users. For example, it is easy to transfer files to and from a USB flash drive but not from a SAMBA server. WiFi configuration is good but it is not possible to add extensions to Firefox.
The use of Linux provides access to a host of Linux-based services, though these are only available to developers at this point. The PepperPad software does not allow users to run native applications. It only provides access to the Java applications. There is, however, a facility to download and install other applications, as well as an SDK (software development kit).
The SDK works with Eclipse for Java-based development, and Java packages can be downloaded and installed via Firefox. The documentation for the SDK walks users through all the development steps including debugging. Thought I didn’t get a chance to do any significant development work, the included familiar and sophisticated tools make possibilities robust. The C/C++ development tool (CDT) can be used to create native Linux applications, and the SDK provides information on how to build applications that integrate with the standard applications and user interface.
It is also possible to get to an xterm window from the keyboard. This provides complete access to Linux. The system is based on open source software that can be downloaded from the Internet.
As far as aesthetics go, I came to appreciate the wire stand that runs the width of the unit, making it possible to sit it on your lap at an angle. This is not possible with most UMPCs that have a small, center stand on the rear of the unit.
While the rubber IO port covers did a good job of keeping out dust and liquids, you don’t want to drop liquids on the screen or keyboard. The keyboard is the saving grace of a package that’s still in the process of refinement (this entire review was written on the PepperPad; it took a lot of time and thumbwork, and touch-typing is tough because there are raised keys on the home row).
The platform is in its third incarnation, but like most UMPCs on the market, it is still not completely user-friendly. For example, it lacks function keys that could provide access to the main menu, rather than having to use the stylus.
That’s another pitfall of the UMPCs I’ve experienced: a lack of multiple stylus docking locations. Most UMPCs have a single spot to store the stylus. The PepperPad has it in the ideal spot, right under the display. Unfortunately, it takes some effort to remove and replace the stylus, slowing down interaction with the system. A second holder could be included to simplify this.
Overall, the PepperPad represents a solid, Linux-based portable platform especially for applications that will require text input. For this, it does much better than most other UMPCs I’ve had my hands on.