Given the choice of a mobile PC or a smartphone which would you choose and why? Perhaps like many other people you would have both, one for work and the other forplay. Or is there already another alternative?
Mobile PCs
A mobile PC has the same functionality and software as a desktop PC but runs on batteries and is fully portable. To truly deliver mobility, their most important function is allowing the user to connect to the Internet wirelessly, via mobile broadband.
The principal classifications of mobile PCs are those of laptop, notebook, netbook and tablet. Each of these sub types has specific definitions, mostly relative to their size, although there is some overlap between the categories. The general guidelines are as follows:
Laptops, notebooks and netbooks all have a similar physical specification in that theyare hinged and when opened up display a screen and separate keyboard. Touch screen versions are available, but are less common.
Today's laptop most commonly has a screen size of approximately 15" and will weigh up to around 10 lbs. Larger screen sizes are available but can become cumbersome to transport although they are popular with the gaming fraternity.
Notebooks are smaller and lighter than laptops with screen sizes ranging from 11" through to 15". They will have the much of the same functionality as their larger counterparts but are likely to be more expensive for a similar specification, reflecting the increased production and component costs.
Netbooks first went on sale in 2008, intended specifically designed for use on the Internet rather than for processing power. Most have screens ranging in size from 10" through to 12" with some models weighing as little as 2 lbs. In terms of processor speed and hard disk capacity, they are of a fairly low specification, but with the advent of cloud computing they are now really coming into their own.
Last but by no means least are tablet PCs. Tablets do not have a lid and feature touch screen operation, using either fingers or a stylus pen. They come in a wide variety of sizes and specification levels.
Smartphones
To all intents and purposes some of the high-specification smartphones now availableare akin to mini PCs in their own right. By definition they are extremely portable, reflecting their heritage as a hybrid between ordinary cell phones and PDAs.
Smartphones use different operating systems to mobile PCs, but with the wide range of 'apps' (software applications) available, they are almost equal in sophistication and functionality. Since some of the major smartphone operating systems (OS) are designed by mainstream players such as Microsoft and Apple, a significant degree of compatibility and interoperability with desktop OS is also present.
Unlike mobile PCs, smartphones allow the user to make phone calls, send text messages (SMS) and even multimedia messages (MMS). They invariably feature a high quality digital camera in addition to Bluetooth, GPS and 3G mobile broadband.
Summary
It is clear that both types of devices have their own advantages and disadvantages in thework/play balance, neither being ideal for every task. However, it is no longer necessary to own two separate devices.
The alternative is yet another hybrid, commonly referred to as a UMPC (Ultra MobilePersonal Computer). UMPCs are larger than smartphones but are far more compact than other variations of the mobile PC.
UMPC screen sizes are generally between 5" and 7" with most weighing a maximum of 1.5 lbs. They are capable of running a full Windows operating system and may be usedin the same way as a cell phone. Almost all are touch screen with some versions also boasting a full pull-out QWERTY keyboard.
The UMPC may provide the answer to true portability and is arguably a glimpse at themobile computing technology of the future.
Mobile PCs
A mobile PC has the same functionality and software as a desktop PC but runs on batteries and is fully portable. To truly deliver mobility, their most important function is allowing the user to connect to the Internet wirelessly, via mobile broadband.
The principal classifications of mobile PCs are those of laptop, notebook, netbook and tablet. Each of these sub types has specific definitions, mostly relative to their size, although there is some overlap between the categories. The general guidelines are as follows:
Laptops, notebooks and netbooks all have a similar physical specification in that theyare hinged and when opened up display a screen and separate keyboard. Touch screen versions are available, but are less common.
Today's laptop most commonly has a screen size of approximately 15" and will weigh up to around 10 lbs. Larger screen sizes are available but can become cumbersome to transport although they are popular with the gaming fraternity.
Notebooks are smaller and lighter than laptops with screen sizes ranging from 11" through to 15". They will have the much of the same functionality as their larger counterparts but are likely to be more expensive for a similar specification, reflecting the increased production and component costs.
Netbooks first went on sale in 2008, intended specifically designed for use on the Internet rather than for processing power. Most have screens ranging in size from 10" through to 12" with some models weighing as little as 2 lbs. In terms of processor speed and hard disk capacity, they are of a fairly low specification, but with the advent of cloud computing they are now really coming into their own.
Last but by no means least are tablet PCs. Tablets do not have a lid and feature touch screen operation, using either fingers or a stylus pen. They come in a wide variety of sizes and specification levels.
Smartphones
To all intents and purposes some of the high-specification smartphones now availableare akin to mini PCs in their own right. By definition they are extremely portable, reflecting their heritage as a hybrid between ordinary cell phones and PDAs.
Smartphones use different operating systems to mobile PCs, but with the wide range of 'apps' (software applications) available, they are almost equal in sophistication and functionality. Since some of the major smartphone operating systems (OS) are designed by mainstream players such as Microsoft and Apple, a significant degree of compatibility and interoperability with desktop OS is also present.
Unlike mobile PCs, smartphones allow the user to make phone calls, send text messages (SMS) and even multimedia messages (MMS). They invariably feature a high quality digital camera in addition to Bluetooth, GPS and 3G mobile broadband.
Summary
It is clear that both types of devices have their own advantages and disadvantages in thework/play balance, neither being ideal for every task. However, it is no longer necessary to own two separate devices.
The alternative is yet another hybrid, commonly referred to as a UMPC (Ultra MobilePersonal Computer). UMPCs are larger than smartphones but are far more compact than other variations of the mobile PC.
UMPC screen sizes are generally between 5" and 7" with most weighing a maximum of 1.5 lbs. They are capable of running a full Windows operating system and may be usedin the same way as a cell phone. Almost all are touch screen with some versions also boasting a full pull-out QWERTY keyboard.
The UMPC may provide the answer to true portability and is arguably a glimpse at themobile computing technology of the future.
About the Author:
The above article is composed and edited by Rosette Summer. She is associated with many technology and designing communities.
