Over the last few weeks, we've been covering Ultra Personal Computers like OQO, Flipstart PC, and Tiqit. The main characteristic of these computers is that they are close to the size of a PDA and contain a full operating system like Windows XP. In this final article, we will cover the Antelope, which is a slightly different breed of a mobile computer.

Before we talk about the Antelope, I did want to mention the recent release of the Sony Vaio U50/70. The Vaio is a UPC and appears to be the smallest Windows XP computer now available to consumers. We didn't include it in our roundup, mainly because it's only been released in Japan and we're unsure if it will be released elsewhere. Currently you can get the U50/70 from exporters, Dynamism.com, but it'll cost you up to US$2799. I did want to show you the specs and a screenshot of this extremely small and sleek computer. You can also read a great hands-on review of the U50 at PDA Buyer's Guide.com.

Model: VGN-U50 VGN-U70

Motherboard Features
CPU: Intel Celeron M 900 MHz
Intel Pentium M 1 GHz
System Bus: 400 MHz
Chipset: Intel 855GM
L1 / L2 Cache: 64K / 512K 64K/1MB
RAM (std/max): 256/512MB 512MB
Memory Bus: 266MHz
Storage
HDD: 20GB

Graphic / Video Features
Chip: Intel 855GM
VRAM: 64MB (Max - shared with Main Memory)
Display: 5 " SVGA TFT
Resolution: 800 x 600
External: 1600x1200, 1280x1024, 1280x768, 1024x768, 800x600

Sound System
Sound Card: PCM 16bit audio, integrated speaker

Interface
Integrated I/O: USB 2.0 x1; 802.11b/g Wireless LAN; Speaker; CF Card Slot; Memory Stick slot
External I/O: USB 2.0 x4; i.Link; VGA Out; LAN

Input / Output Devices
Keyboard: QWERTY 87 Key, 17mm pitch, 2mm keystroke
Pointing Device: Pointing Stick
Battery Life: Standard Battery: 2.5 hours
Enhanced Battery: 5.5 hours

Physical Features
Size: 6.57(W) x 4.25 (L) x 1.03 (H) [inch]
167mm x height 108mm x depth 26.4mm
Weight: 1.21 lbs / 550g

Operating System
Windows XP

Okay, let's talk about the Antelope by Antelope Technologies. The Antelope MCC (Mobile Computing Core) is basically components that make the Antelope either a mobile or a desktop computer. The main piece of hardware is the MCC, which is basically a small computer that looks like a computer hard drive.

The MCC contains the following:

• Highly power efficient Transmeta Crusoe Processor at 1 GHz using the LongRun advanced power management technology
• 256 MB of DDR-SDRAM Main Memory
• 10 GB (or optional 15 GB) Hard Drive with a shock rating of 200g operational and 1,000g non-operational
• 2D/3D Graphics supporting analog and LVDS displays at 1280x1024 maximum resolution
• Sound Blaster Compatible Stereo Audio supporting microphone in, stereo out and line out
• Dense 160 pin Modular Computing Docking connector
• Windows XPTM Pro, or other optional standard operating systems
• Plug and play compatibility

To make the MMC portable, you'll then want to pop the MCC into the Rugged Handheld:

• Resistive touch screen with 6.3 1024x768 TFT
• 2 USB ports
• Stereo Out, Microphone In
• VGA out
• PC Card (PCMCIA) slot, Type II
• Switching power supply, 100 240v AC input
• 10.8V 2100 mAh (approximately 3 hours) batteries
• Weight: 360 g (12.7 oz), varies by specific configuration
• Buttons: CTRL-ALT-DEL, Left/Right mouse, On/Off

If you want to use the MCC as a desktop computer, you simply insert it into the Desktop Cradle:

• PC Card (PCMCIA) slot for any variety of Windows XP certified expansion cards
• 3x USB 1.1 ports
• 3.5mm Stereo Out, 3.5mm Microphone In
• VGA out, standard 15 pin
• PC Card (PCMCIA) slot, Type II
• Included switching power supply, 100 240v AC input (supplied with handheld)

The core also has possibilities as a wearable computer with a few optional accessories. Although the MCC is a little different than the typical UPCs we talked about, I see computing cores becoming more popular, especially if some standards are set. Still, the Antelope will probably be a harder sell, because of all of the components needed. The Antelope has been out since November 2003, but I have yet to see a hands-on review, probably meaning that Antelope isn't getting the exposure they were expecting. The Antelope is being marketed for the enterprise environment and is currently available on the web with the base core price at US$1599, but add all of the other parts to be mobile and use as a desktop, you're looking at close to a US$4000 investment. It's an expensive but viable concept in the future of computing, now if they can only make the Rugged Handheld Component a little less bulky and, um... unattractive.