Asus R2H adds GPS mapping to the UMPC formula
updated 12:30 pm EDT, Fri August 25, 2006
Asus R2H UMPC
Microsoft originally positioned the Ultra Mobile PC as a full computer that would still be useful at those times when neither a laptop nor a smartphone would be very convenient. In practice, the UMPC systems which first launched (such as the Samsung Q1) were disappointments because that roving ability was limited; without a nearby WiFi access point or the option of an EDGE/EVDO adapter, a UMPC was effectively stranded. Asus' first UMPC, the R2H, still goes without mobile broadband but may be very useful thanks to the addition of a GPS receiver in the design, letting users map their progress even in the remotest locations. The performance of the R2H is modest at best - it features a 900MHz Celeron M ULV, 256MB of RAM, and 20-60GB of hard drive space - but it could easily become an essential car navigation tool. Release information is not yet available.
