We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Hardware

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is an UMPC?

By David White
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 7,340
Share

UMPC stands for Ultra-Mobile Personal Computer. It is one of the most innovative machines yet invented. Not surprisingly, each and every UMPC bears the Microsoft label.

The UMPC is first and foremost a computer. It runs a full version of Windows XP operating system software. It usually comes equipped with full versions of popular Microsoft software applications such as Office, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

The UMPC is not a sit-on-your-desk computer, nor is it even a sit-on-your-lap computer; rather, it is a hold-in-your-hands computer. It is so small and lightweight that you can hold it in your hands, much like you would hold a book. It also sports a touch screen, making it super-easy to do tasks both simple and complex.

Internet access is easy, of course. Running Internet Explorer or other Web browsers, you can access Wi-Fi hotspots or even use a Bluetooth®-enabled mobile phone to surf the Net. Email, downloading and uploading of audio and video files, instant messaging — it's all possible with the UMPC, which promises a fast connection wherever you go.

Another helpful piece of functionality is GPS technology. Whether you use the Microsoft version or software from another provider, you can use the UMPC to give you directions from place to place, tracking your progress on the computer in your hand as you go. Such navigation can take place via satellite or Wi-Fi protocols.

Like other portable computing devices, the UMPC can also be your "office on the go." You can sync up the UMPC with your home or work computer and take your documents, spreadsheets, audio and video files, email, calendar, and contacts with you while you're on the move. You can also take your games with you, offering a new way to enjoy video entertainment.

As far as technical specs, the UMPC has a 7-inch (about 18 cm) LCD screen with a minimum resolution of 800x480. Access is via the touch screen, which includes an onscreen keyboard. The aforementioned OS is Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. And the whole thing weighs just two pounds, or just under a kilogram.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-an-umpc.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.