Apr 16, 2007 04:09 PM
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(Updated Apr 17, 2007 12:15 AM)
Using technology solutions on the road.We have been on the road riding our bikes across South Asia for the past four months. One of the major concerns we had before we left Bangalore on December 3, 2006 was how to update our website, check and answer our e-mail, do our writing stuff etc. Cybercafes seemed the only solution but they aren’t present everywhere and in small towns virtually absent and an hour at a net café would set us back by any amount varying from Rs.10-30(even Rs.100 in Nepal and Bhutan). Time required to code, edit, check and upload pages of our website would be quite a lot. And the biggest problem about cybercafes are they have closing time and we will have to move when the times comes.
Luckily for us Intel, India came in as our technology sponsor and promised to provide us with an ASUS R2H Ultra-Mobile PC, one of the most modern and state-of-the-art mobile computing solutions which has potential fulfill all our related needs.
As promised we received the UMPC in Delhi on January 2, 2007 and life has never been the same since then. The Asus R2H Ultra Mobile PC(UMPC) combines Intel's low power technology leadership with Asus' expertise in delivering innovative platform solutions. The first of this new generation of PCs, this compact machine allows users to communicate, access information, be entertained and stay productive on the go.
With it’s 7-inch LCD touch screen with handwritten input support and solid security protection, the UMPC has been very useful during our tour for three things: internet-based communication, website design and expense computation. Moreover The R2H has a stylus and used together with Microsoft’s Touch Pack software recognizes handwriting and converts what is written on screen into text.
Launched in Taipei, Taiwan on August 25, 2006 by ASUSTeK Computer Inc.(ASUS), one of the world’s leading providers of high-performance notebook computers, the R2H UMPC has everything that a modern-day on-the-move executive would possibly want. Its features include a built-in high-resolution(1.3 MP) webcam, global positioning system(GPS), biometric fingerprint authentication, handwriting and voice recognition capabilities. This ultra compact PC is perhaps the first all-in-one mobile device that enables users to stay connected, productive and their data secure wherever they are.
Operating System
The R2H runs on Windows ® XP Tablet PC Edition and is preloaded with Touch Pack software and has ergonomic hardware interface complete with function keys laid out on both sides of the front panel, for ease of including a full set of control keys, mouse, scroll buttons, hot keys as well as on-screen keypad.
Networking
The UMPC is packed with computing, multimedia and connectivity functions such as built-in Bluetooth 2.0 EDR(Enhanced Data Rate), wireless lan and a RJ 45 interface for wired LAN.
*R2H Specifications
Processor**: Intel® Celeron® M ULV Processor(900MHz)
Operating System: Windows® XP Tablet PC Edition
Memory: Onboard 256MB, DDRII 533, 1x SoDimm socket for expansion up to 768MB DDRII 667 DRAM support
Display: 7" WXGA touch screen LCD, ASUS Splendid Video Intelligent Engine
Hard Disk Drive: PATA 1.8" HDD 4200PRM 20/30/40/60 GB
Networking and ports: Bluetooth® V2.0+ EDR, 3 USB ports, 1 SD Card-Reader
Additional features; 1 GPS, 1 Finger Print Reader
Physical dimensions: 23.4 x 13.3 x 2.8cm, 830g
The UMPC looks and feels really sturdy and after having traveled nearly 17, 000 km on all kinds of roads ranging from super highways, state roads, potholed field like trails, trek routes I can say that it is indeed strong as steel. The UMPC has even survived two major falls and not had a scratch also.
