CES: Seamless Internet's SX-GEN Ultra Mobile PC packs it in to 11 oz.

As components for PCs get smaller and smaller, they've enabled a new and growing breed of Ultra Mobile PCs (UMPCs) and here at CES in Las Vegas, a bumper crop of these sub-1 lb. systems are expected to make a showing including ones that support Microsoft's Origami initiative. But, whereas Origami systems run a version of Windows XP, one of the ones I had a chance to look at here at the show -- Seamless Internet's SX-GEN (pictured left) -- actually runs PocketPC. One advantage of this approach is that it requires less power and comes with a full complement of applications (pocket sized as they may be) that support Microsoft Office. Probably most unique was the SX-GEN's foldout keyboard design.

As a touch typist however, I found the keyboard a little tough to use (not enough key travel which means you really need a clean hit on every key).  I especially had difficulty with the space bar. The keyboard is detachable for mounting on a dashboard (where the device can be positioned an vertically oriented markets like car and truck fleets) and the only way you could really do that is if it was capable of wireless communications, which it is. It has a tri-band GSM radio in it.  Here's a list of some other features that are packed into this 11 oz. UMPC:

• 20 GB hard drive
  
• Bluetooth connectivity
• WiFi connectivity
• Two USB ports
• SD Card Slot
• Hardware-based buttons for media player controlling
• Left/Right/Up/Down hardware based cursor control
• Forefinger gaming controls on the top edge of the system

We captured the SX-GEN on video and got the company's CEO Albert Reda to talk a little bit about the product.

For a complete round-up of my CES 2007 coverage, click here.  For more information on the SX-GEN, go to Seamless Internet's Web site.