On Ultra Mobile PCs, there’s no question that a screen resolution of 800×480 is the starting point. In fact with Vista requiring 1024×600 minimum, one can argue that you can’t even go below a 7″ screen size before things get a little bit too tiny. 200 pixels per inch is a good upper limit for the average person.
But what about mobile devices that want to offer the full Internet experience just as you get it on the desktop?
Most sites are written for 1024×768 screens but I’ve found that with 800×480 you get a very acceptable experience. If you apply the 200 ppi rule to an 800×480 screen you get 4.8″ minimum screen size. Is that going to be small enough to be able to design a good enough pocketable device?
If you look at ARM-based devices you’ll see that its possible. The N800 for example shows that engineering-wise, the form factor is possible. OK, the 4.1″ screen is slightly too small but I dare say that it could be changed to 4.8 without any change in overall dimensions. But if you look at x86-based devices like the Everun, you can see where the engineering challenge is. Because of the power drain from the current-gen components the battery needs to be huge and prevents engineers from adding the all-important slide out keyboard so while 4.8″ is perfect for the pocket, its way too small for the engineering challenge. Even tiny motherboard solutions like the Mobile-ITX solution from VIA are going to be a problem because although the size is small, the battery still needs to be quite large and if you make it smaller and thicker and put it on one side of the device, the balance will be compromised.
In summary then, my feeling is that 4.8″ 800×480 screens are optimal with 4.1″ being possible for the younger generation but before these devices can be built as complete, keyboard-containing mobile Internet devices either x86 has too shrink its size and power requirements or ARM-based CPUs need more power and better software. We’re back to the ARM vs X86 race again!
October 11th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
on the topic of keyboard i would love to see a solution like the slide on cover for the nokia 770.
as in, you have a keyboard that you can attach or detach from the main device, and that folds up like a screen cover when attached.
given the thickness of some of the portable bluetooth keyboards it should not add much to the overall device. and some of those keyboards can run for days on simple AA batteries.
October 12th, 2007 at 4:32 am
I wish the internet tablets had at least a 7″ screen. And a mouse like the computer and laptop. A keyboard you can hook up when you want to! And office appls.
October 12th, 2007 at 4:36 am
Also, I think they should make it the best they can, and put some contacts and calenders, stuff like PDA’s had, And righting on for notes, for a not to high price and I would definitly buy one. Something like the palm folio but better