GIGABYTE M528

If you're still confused about this whole UMPC vs. MID debate, perhaps Gigabyte can help. The company is launching a pair mobile devices at CeBIT, the VIA-based UMPC M700 and the Centrino Atom (Menlow) powered M528 MID. The latter device is running on the exact same reference design Aigo is using for its MID, and the Linux OS seemed altered but certainly of the same stock -- and still really half-baked. Specs include an 800MHz Menlow chip, 512MB of RAM, 4GB SSD storage, 4.8-inch 800 x 480 touchscreen, GPS, Bluetooth 3.0 and a 3 megapixel camera. HSDPA is easily added via a mini card option that plugs in via USB. The M700 (pictured) is a tad more ambitious, with a VIA C7-M 1.2GHz processor, Windows Vista Home Premium, 2GB of RAM, a 1.8-inch 40GB / 60GB HDD and a 1024 x 600 7-inch touchscreen. There's no hardware keyboard, but you can type via a UMPC-style software keyboard, and real kicker here is a dock for the computer that lets the M700 power a desktop setup, complete with disc drive. No word on price or release date for either of these.

Specifications

CPU Intel® Atom™ Z500 800MHz
Operating System (optional) Linux
Chipset Intel® SCH UL11L
System Memory 512MB on board
LCD 4.8” LCD panel 800x480 with touch panel
HDD 4GB Solid State Disk
I/O Port 1 x Std. USB Host, 1 x mini-USB Client, 1 x micro SD, 1 x 3.5mm Earphone-mic,1 x GPS RF switching connector, DC-in, SIM card slot
Audio Earphone out/Mic built-in/Speaker x 1
Bluetooth Bluetooth 2.0 via USB I/F
Webcam 300k Pixels webcam,3M Pixels Auto Focus Camera
Wireless LAN 802.11b/g via SDIO I/F, HSDPA mini card module
Keyboard QWERTY keyboard w/ EL backlight
Battery 3.7V 2700 mAh
Dimension 152 x 80 x 22.5mm
Weight 340g
Accessory Mic-earphone, Standard-to-Mini USB cable for PC connection, Stylus, Protection bag, Bracket for in-vehicle usage
Valuable Software Browser, E-Mail, IM, Open Office, Media AP, Skype