Let’s face it. While Ultra-mobile PC’s are a grand idea – they’re realistically too darn expensive to get any real market traction. Who’s willing to spend one grand for an underpowered PC combined with a small display and a tiny keyboard? Well it looks like VIA Technologies is trying to shake things up with the introduction of their new VIA NanoBook Ultra Mobile Device reference design. According to News.com, VIA’s goal is roll out competing ultra-mobile notebook products which will compete against today’s existing ultra-mobile PC devices but at a lower price point. How much lower? VIA expects products based on the NanoBook to come out for $599 or less. That’s a good deal less than a competing Samsung UMPC device.

The VIA NanoBook will run either Windows XP or Windows Vista and will provide the same functionality you’ve come to expect from a desktop PC at home. You’ll be able to surf the web, check  your email, run your business applications, and carry everything with you in a single portable device. 

Here are the complete technical specifications to the VIA NanoBook:

• 1.2GHz VIA C7-M ULV Processor
• VIA VX700 System Media Processor (integrated North & South Bridge)
• up to 1GB of memory
• 30GB HDD (up to 60GB)
• 7″ WVGA 800×400 with Touch Panel
• VIA UniChrome Pro II IGP Integrated 3D/2D Graphics with shared memory up to 64MB
• VIA Vinyl VT1708A HD Audio codec 2 speakers
• Realtek RTL8100CL 10/100 Mbps
• Azure Wave 802.11b/g (USB interface)
• Bluetooth support
• 4 in 1 card reader
• 1 DVI-I port
• 2 USB 2.0 ports, 1 Ethernet port
• 1 mic in, 1 array microphone jack, 1 headphone line out jack
• Up to 4.5 hours of battery life
• Measures 230mm (W) x 171mm (D) x 29.4mm (H) and weighs under 850 grams

Guess what? I’d rather get a NanoBook and run Windows XP than get a Palm Foleo. What about you?

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