Vest-pocket Vista PC unveiled

Asus announced a MID (mobile internet device) that uses Intel's Atom Z520 processor and runs Windows Vista. The Asus R50A includes a "sunlight readable" 5.6-inch touchscreen display, from 8GB to 32GB of SSD (solid state disk) storage, dual cameras, GPS, and optional TV tuner, says Asus. The new R50A exemplifies Intel's MID concept, which the chipmaker first began touting in April 2007, and has been showing off at various developer forums every since. A gaggle of MID prototypes made an appearance earlier this year when Intel formally launched its Z500-series Atom processors, previously codenamed "Silverthorne." The R50A, which was one of these prototypes, is now finally going on sale. But before giving further details, let's talk semantics. According to Intel, MIDs are touchscreen-oriented, "consumer-priced" devices that have... [read full story]