Quanta making Intel, Yahoo ultramobile PC

The world's largest contract laptop PC maker is branching out into ultramobile PCs (UMPCs), using a reference design from Intel Corp. and Internet software from Yahoo Inc.

Intel executives showed off the UMPC made by Quanta Computer Inc. at the Fall Intel Developer Forum in Taipei on Monday. The new device is a sign Intel and other backers of the UMPC design are gaining further support from hardware makers globally, which will increase the variety of devices available as well as their functions. More UMPC contenders should also help drive down prices through market competition.

The ultramobile PC is Quanta's first. It will be the second Taiwanese company to enter the market, following the launch of Asustek Computer Inc.'s R2H last month.

Quanta's new UMPC runs Yahoo's Go for ultramobiles, a joint software effort with Intel designed to deliver digital entertainment on devices that use Intel Viiv technology, including Go TV, and Yahoo photos, music, and other content. Intel did not say which specific functions the ultramobile PC version of Go includes.

The device runs on Microsoft Corp.'s Windows XP Tablet Edition OS.

Mooly Eden, Intel's general manager for the mobile platform group, declined to disclose further details about the device, and Quanta Computer officials could not immediately be reached for comment.