UPMania has the scoop on a new, redesigned Kohjinsha V-series UMPC. It follows the notebook style of the SA and SH ranges but this time, and I really don’t know why, includes a CDROM. In one and a half years of using UMPCs I’ve never needed a CDROM on the go. Wouldn’t it have been better to stuff another battery in that space?

One assumes that they’ve had to completely re-design the motherboard though so maybe, just maybe, they’ve managed to reach better efficiencies. THe SH-range, remember, was an under-performer compared to other McCaslin-based UMPCs when it came to energy efficiency.

Due to a broken broadband connection here (thank goodness for the Q1b HSDPA again) and a back-log of CES posts I haven’t been able to pick out the specs. I’ve got a few requests out and will get back to you all soon.

In addtion to the V801, there’s a new SA1 AMD-based device on the horizon with a 1024×600 screen. The AMD-Geode based devices are some of the most efficient available but not really up to the task of laptop replacement. With Menlow round the corner, the life of the AMD Geode in UMPCs must be fairly limited now.

Source (with more images and some specs) UPMania. Via JKKMobile.