Its not quite an Origami ultra mobile PC but the Nova 5000 is nonetheless an ultra-mobile PC and one that we’ve had interesting discussions about with Fourier Systems recently.
Fourier systems have been specialising in data-logging systems for educational markets for over 15 years and have just started to offer an ARM-based windows CE device as a base system for its existing data logging software and probes.
The NOVA5000 is a ruggedised tablet running Windows CE5.0 on an Xscale PXA255 (400Mhz) processor with GPU supporting a 7″ 800×480 touch screen and a good range of interface ports including VGA-out and ethernet. The specs won’t impress anyone used to looking at Origami based UMPC’s but its what we consider to be a good baseline spec for a home ‘web-pad’ device. What is also very interesting is that Fourier already have strong relationships in the U.S. educational system and could very easily reach high volume sales of this device. High volumes mean low prices of course and it wouldn’t take much to re-package this into a very low price home web-pad/tv-pad of the kind that Pepperpad, Coxion, Nokia and Sharp have on the market.
Fourier seem to be well-aware of this and tell us that they will be considering a consumer device as a further development project.
We think that if a re-design includes a PXA27x Xscale processor, wifi, a consumer IR module, the Intel 2700G graphics co-processor, comes with a stowaway wireless mini keyboard, a good multimedia software package and hits a price of around 350 Euros, it could be a great buy.
Its good to see manufacturers currently in the ‘vertical markets’ considering moving into consumer markets rather than the other way round for a change. Its a good sign that the consumer Ultra-Mobile PC market is maturing.
If you have any (sensible!) wishes i’m sure that they’d be happy to hear them so drop them on the comments and we’ll let them know what they need to achieve.
Regards
Steve / Chippy
