However, only a handful of them are on the market, and the consensus of industry analysts is that they’ve got a way to go before they graduate from expensive gadget to useful tool.

What are they?

UMPCs are small form factor (SFF) computers – a term that refers to the size of the case. They have multimedia and gaming capability, but are also capable of surfing the Net and handling Word documents, spreadsheets, etc. They are the product of a joint development exercise involving companies including Microsoft, Intel and Samsung. They generally feature a four-inch-minimum screen, with integrated touch-sensitive controls or a keyboard that slides out from under the screen, or both. While early models used a tweaked version of Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, Intel has decided that its future models will also be able to use Mac OS X and the open source Linux operating system. Other brands like Sony use Vista.

The first UMPC to hit the marketplace was Samsung’s Q1. It featured a 40GB hard disk and wi-fi capability. Reviewers questioned its usefulness, given its size and weight (nearly a kilogram) and its lack of a keyboard. The new model, the Q1 Ultra, has a keyboard consisting of small buttons on either side of the seven-inch touchscreen – okay for SMS and texting, but not much else. Another downside is a common complaint about all UMPCs; battery life. Reviewers found the Ultra drained its battery in barely half the stated 4.5 hours.

The debate continues about the need for a device that is too large and heavy to replace a mobile phone and lacks the keyboard comfort offered by a notebook PC. The most likely users are businesspeople constantly on the move (eg: sales representatives) who would find a UMPC handy for paper-free documentation.

However, with the increasing desire for portability, the development of more durable power supplies and the growth of wireless Internet access, the UMPC’s time is sure to come.

These are some of the offerings:

Sony VGNUX27GN

Selling here for $2999, it includes a 1.33GHz Intel Processor, Intel PRO/Wireless Network Connection, 40GB hard drive, 1GB of RAM, Windows Vista Business, 4.5-inch touch panel screen, Integrated Wireless LAN, Bluetooth, a built-in keyboard and a Web cam.

Asus R2H

Available in this country for around $2300, it’s bigger and heavier than other UMPCs, but also doubles as a tablet, with a touchscreen rather than a slide-out keyboard and thumb controls for the mouse functions. It has a 60GB hard drive and 768MB of RAM, but the 900MHz Intel Celeron M CPU means it won’t run anything above Windows XP. On the plus side its seven-inch screen is easy to read, and it comes with a Web cam, an Ethernet connection, wireless and Bluetooth.

Samsung Q1 Ultra

The basic model ($US799) features a 600 MHz processor and 40GB hard drive, while the $US1499 version has an 800 MHz processor, 80GB hard drive, integrated camera, SD slot, fingerprint reader and modem.

OQO Model 02

Described by its maker (www.oqo.com) as the world’s smallest Vista PC, it has

a 1.5GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, a 60GB hard drive, Bluetooth, wi-fi and high-speed wireless networking. The five-inch screen slides up to reveal a full QWERTY set of backlit keys. Price: $US2348.

FlipStart

The clamshell design of this UMPC allows it to sit on a desk or be held in the hands, although it’s a bit too chunky for comfortable typing that way. A small LCD screen on the top lets you scroll through mail, contacts and calendar with the lid closed. While it sells for just under $US2000, it has only a 1.1GHz Pentium M processor, 512MB of RAM and a 30GB hard drive, meaning it would be straining to run Vista. More at flipstart.com

Fujitsu U Series

Due out in Japan in July, this UMPC also functions as a tablet, with a swivelling 5.6-inch LCD screen, and weighs just 580 grams. The Vista-capable model has an 800MHz Intel Processor, 1GB of RAM and a 20GB hard drive. Its price in Japan will be around $NZ1850.