Operating system choices.
Choices on operating system in 2006 were limited to Windows XP and a couple of devices running Linux. In 2008 however, we have Windows Vista in the mix, a number of Linux distributions and some dedicated software stacks. If you already have a desktop PC and you run Windows, you might find it easier to get used to a Windows-based ultra mobile PC but bear in mind that in the long-run, it doesn’t always mean that it will be the most efficient choice. If you pair a Windows XP operating system with a 4.8″, high-resolution touchscreen device for example, the result might not be very satisfying. Generally, users are happier when they don’t have to change their known user interface or when they are confident that a new user interface has already reached general market acceptance. For productivity most users will be looking for a familiar desktop environment based on Windows.
The choice between Vista and XP depends on the hardware. The recommendation today is that for productivity, XP is generally better than Vista on currently available hardware due to the maturity of the driver software and smaller memory, disk and CPU requirements. There are a few devices being marketed now with Windows Vista pre-installed and as we move towards the point where Windows XP may not be available any more (estimated end of 2009), Vista or even Windows 7 may be the only choice. Vista is widely acknowledged as having a much better touch/handwriting support so if you are considering a slate type device, Vista would be a good option.
Apple OSX is not currently available on a mobile productivity devices but Apple have created a core system, based on OS X and some of the applications, that runs on their iPhone and iPod platform. Both of these devices can be considered for mobile Internet operations in the ‘MID’ segment.
Windows CE and Windows Mobile devices are available but as time goes on, the limitations of the applications and browser software are becoming more and more apparent. As a ‘thin client’ type of device that might use remote desktop or remote PC software to access and control a remote device over an IP network they can make cheap and very efficient devices but as standalone devices, limitations will become apparent with advanced web browsing (Flash, flash video, dynamic html, Ajax code) and with some media playback. Windows Mobile 6.5 and 7 is planned and we expect to see this in 2009 with a much improved user interface, browser and application suite.
During the later part of 2007 Ubuntu and RedFlag released early versions of their Linux distributions that included optimised interfaces and good support for Intel hardware. Even now though, in late 2008, these distributions are only suitable for further development by OEMS and only one or two examples of the distributions can be found in the market in the pocketable MID segment. The expectation is that these Linux-based operating systems will develop quickly into consumer-focused suites and become well supported but that may not happen until well into 2009.
Since the launch of the small ‘netbooks’ there have been efforts by many Linux operating system vendors such as Xandros, Linpus, SuSE and Canonical to produce more generic distributions and these can now be found on netbooks purchased online or in shops. While the quality, look and feel may not be as good as with XP or Vista, the cost is lower and the core set of applications is always available to the user. As netbooks gain in popularity with many millions of sales forecast, expect these distributions to evolve and develop into more polished options.
