| Vest-pocket Vista PC unveiled |
Oct. 09, 2008
 Asus announced a MID (mobile internet device) that uses Intel's Atom Z520 processor and runs Windows Vista. The Asus R50A includes a "sunlight readable" 5.6-inch touchscreen display, from 8GB to 32GB of SSD (solid state disk) storage, dual cameras, GPS, and optional TV tuner, says Asus.
(Click here for a larger view of Asus' R50A)
The new R50A exemplifies Intel's MID concept, which the chipmaker first began touting in April 2007, and has been showing off at various developer forums every since. A gaggle of MID prototypes made an appearance earlier this year when Intel formally launched its Z500-series Atom processors, previously codenamed "Silverthorne."
The R50A, which was one of these prototypes, is now finally going on sale. But before giving further details, let's talk semantics. According to Intel, MIDs are touchscreen-oriented, "consumer-priced" devices that have 4- to 6-inch displays. They're supposed to be distinct from UMPCs (ultra mobile PCs), which have 5- to 7-inch displays, some sort of keyboard, and supposedly have more of a business orientation.
Aigo's P8860D
(Click image for further information) |
The problem is, many products have blurred these definitions. One case in point is Aigo's P8860D, said to be going on sale this month for $600. Billed as a MID, the Windows XP device has a 4.8-inch screen, but combines that with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and business-minded connectivity options such as HSDPA (high speed downlink packet access) cellular.
For its part, Asus is now variously billing its new R50A -- which, for the record, doesn't come with a keyboard -- as a "mini-notebook" and a UMPC, without even mentioning its previous MID moniker. The company's message, which Intel might do well to imitate, seems to be, "we don't care what you call the recipe, as long as you like our food."
Look sideways, and you'll see "UMPC" written on the front panel of Asus's R50A MID
(Click to enlarge)
By whatever name, the R50A does have some tasty ingredients. The device incorporates Intel's 1.33GHz Atom Z520 processor, along with the usual US15W ("Poulsbo") companion chip, plus 1GB of DDR2 memory. For mass storage, there are 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB SSDs (solid state drives).
 The 1.14 pound (520g) R50 has a 5.6-inch "Sun Read" touchscreen display with 1024 x 600 resolution. It also sports a fingerprint reader, five-way controller, mouse buttons, and four hot keys for launching applications. As noted, there's no keyboard, but Asus does have an external foldable keyboard (above right) on the device's options list.
Asus touts WiFi, Bluetooth, and HSDPA wireless communications for the R50, though it doesn't state whether the cellular capabilities come in every configuration. However, the R50 is said to include a GPS receiver, along with Asus GPS Catcher, Asus Photo Navigator, and Asus Map software. According to the company, the device is also available with the optional TV tuner shown below.
The Asus R50 with optional TV tuner
The R50 includes a rear-facing two megapixel camera with autofocus, plus a front-facing VGA-resolution camera for videoconferencing. It has a two-cell 2600mAh battery, rated by Asus for 2.5 hours in "entertainment/high performance" mode, and three hours in "battery saving" mode.
Features and specifications listed by Asus for the R50 include:- Processor -- Intel Atom Z520 clocked at 1.33GHz
- Memory -- 1GB of DDR2 RAM
- Storage -- 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB of SSD (solid state disk) storage
- Display -- 5.6-inch sunlight-readable display with 1024 x 600 resolution
- Keys -- Fingerprint reader, mouse keys, five-way controller, programmable hot keys
- Cameras -- Rear-facing two megapixel camera, and front-facing VGA resolution camera
- Wireless interfaces:
- WLAN -- 802.11b/g
- PAN -- Bluetooth
- WWAN -- HSDPA
- GPS
- Other I/O:
- RF connector for external antenna
- VGA output via adapter cable
- Battery type/life -- Two-cell 200mAh battery; 2.5 hours in high-performance mode, three hours in battery-saving mode
- Expansion -- SD slot
- Dimensions -- 7.83 x 3.85 x 1.1 inches (199 x 98 x 28mm)
- Weight -- 1.14 pounds (520g)
Further information
According to Asus, the R50 comes with either Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Business operating systems. Availability and pricing were not specified, but more information may appear on the company's website, here.
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