Inventec likely to make ultra-portable NB PCs for big names

Inventec Corp., a leading Taiwanese contract manufacturer of mobile products, will likely make ultra-mobile PCs for HP and Apple after its recent talks with the two big-name PC brands.

Industry watchers pointed out that HP will introduce business-based UMPCs and thin-client notebook computers as its niche products in ultra-portable notebook market after Asustek had impressed the market significantly by rolling out its proprietary Eee miniature notebook.

Although Eee has become a stellar product, its 7-inch screen and mini keyboard have somehow received criticism. Some manufacturers like Acer, HP, and Micro Star International have introduced bigger-screen solutions.

The 8.9-inch screen model has been the most popular in the market place among all competing sizes. Asustek recently announced that it would introduce 8.9-inch version of the Eee, whereby this screen size would offer picture definition of 1024 pixel, as well as keys about 90% of typical size.

HP's miniature notebook computer will feature Windows XP OS and Intel's 45-nm Penryn processor, making it similar to typical notebooks. HP will promote the miniature notebook as a second mobile computer for businesspeople.

People familiar with HP's miniature-notebook plan point out the company will retail the computer at over US$625, compared with average US$500 on its rivals types.

HP has a dramatic design for this thin computer. For a long time, this type of computing machine has been designed to work together with a server, making them less mobile. So HP has designed the thin PC more like a notebook for wireless operation. The company has contracted Wistron Corp., an affiliate of the Acer Group, to build it.

source & copyright: CENS