The brainchild of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, the FlipStart was originally known as the Vulcan MiniPC when it was unveiled three years ago. The concept was certainly on target: a full-fledged Windows PC people could carry with them all of the time and always be connected. But as time passed--and the company's Web site grew stale--the device became the butt of many a vaporware joke. Now it has finally arrived, but with several critical improvements, many of which were spearheaded by Robin Budd, the senior director of FlipStart Labs. We talked with Robin on the eve of the FlipStart 1.0's launch about the device's evolution and why she thinks it has a good shot at taking on the likes of the OQO model 02 and the Sony VAIO UX.

Q: Why was the original Vulcan MiniPC scrapped?
RB: That was based on the Transmeta processor. We came to the conclusion that the device wasn't ready to ship. Transmeta also stopped making CPUs. And it was a year after that that I took over leadership for the FlipStart group. And at that point we undertook a complete redesign of the product, still with the goal that it would be something that people would have with them all of the time to be connected constantly and have full professional productivity as well as the ability to communicate to business and personal contacts.

Q: What were the biggest changes made to the product?
RB: The biggest change was the Intel processor, and along with that came a huge performance increase. We also had time to incorporate feedback from users, which resulted in a slightly revised keyboard design. The features that we put into our info pane also were the result of the feedback from users. We zeroed on an interface that they thought was especially compelling and that goes also for the navigator software. We had feedback from customers on what they wanted to do with that type of software.

Q: Why did you opt for a clamshell design?
RB: What motivated the clamshell form factor was looking at what people need to do with their device that they carry with them all of the time and looking at their productivity. The clamshell form factor enables people to use the device in any of the different scenarios that contribute to their mobile work style, whereas other devices are only useful when they're being held. The FlipStart lets you be productive in different environments, both standing and sitting, whether you have just an hour or several hours to do work. It all comes down to addressing people's needs to be productive wherever they are.

Q: But why no touchscreen?
RB: We have the standard pointing devices: the touchpad and the touchstick. People are very familiar with how a clamshell style PC works so this was a matter of giving people what they were familiar with, what they were comfortable with, and what would allow them to be the most productive.

Q: Are there any advantages in being late to the UMPC market?
RB: With a device like this, the importance of being connected all of the time is huge. A super mobile device is not as useful if you can't be connected so having really great integrated WAN was extremely important. The fact that we can expand the product using these custom attachments for the lid is another key differentiation point. The outward-facing camera will be the first one but you can also envision for example a GPS receiver.

Q: Who are you targeting with this product?
RB: Anyone who needs their computer while standing. You can imagine many first responders might need this, healthcare professionals as they're moving from patient to patient or even in the field. We've spoken to government utility workers as they're going on site to do inspections. And they need the full power of a PC but they need it as they're standing up and moving around. We're also talking to real estate agents. There are many people who need this type of powerful connectivity and portability.

Q: What about mobile executives?
RB: I think it's absolutely ready for them. It is the lightest most compact device that still gives the full functionality and familiarity of a clamshell form factor. And with the Intel processor there certainly isn't going to be any performance compromises.

Q: But don't you think $2,000 is too high a price for this kind of device?
RB: I think there's plenty of opportunity as a niche play, although I would agree that as the price comes down we will be able to lower the price point with future devices. I think right now if the price were $500 there would be overwhelming demand for (the FlipStart). But at its current price point there are plenty of scenarios where people need this type of device.

Q: Why do you think buyers should consider the FlipStart over competing UMPCs?
RB: Most of the thinking in this category has been targeted towards a Tablet-style slate-style system and we were willing to go against the tide with that and say, "No we want to give people something that they're familiar with." And that we have confirmed market research that this is what users want. I think that we will change some people's minds as to what this category should like.

Q: What reaction would you need from the market to make a FlipStart 2.0?
RB: The reaction that would quantify a success would be to have people adopt it and get feedback from the market that this is something that addresses their needs. And if we get enough positive feedback from the market that we're on the right track we will definitely continue to innovate in this area.

Read our full review of the FlipStart 1.0.