mobile Internet device (MID)

The mobile Internet device (MID) is a small Internet communications unit designed to provide entertainment, information and location-based services for the consumer market (rather than the enterprise). The MID is a larger form factor than a handheld device but smaller than the Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC). As such, the device has been described as filling a consumer niche between cellular telephones and tablet PCs.

Download this free guide

Free PDF: Your Essential Guide to Unified Endpoint Management

Download this 44-page guide to learn everything you need to know about UEM.

Start Download

• Corporate E-mail Address:

  You forgot to provide an Email Address.

  This email address doesn’t appear to be valid.

  This email address is already registered. Please login.

  You have exceeded the maximum character limit.

  Please provide a Corporate E-mail Address.

• • I agree to TechTarget’s Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and the transfer of my information to the United States for processing to provide me with relevant information as described in our Privacy Policy.

  Please check the box if you want to proceed.

• • I agree to my information being processed by TechTarget and its Partners to contact me via phone, email, or other means regarding information relevant to my professional interests. I may unsubscribe at any time.

  Please check the box if you want to proceed.

By submitting my Email address I confirm that I have read and accepted the Terms of Use and Declaration of Consent.

Intel debuted a Linux-powered MID prototype at the company's Developer Conference in April 2007. Intel's MID features include:

• A diagonal screen measure of 4.5 or 6 inches
• Faster boot up than a UMPC
• Lower retail cost than a UMPC
• A streamlined, "small-screen-friendly" interface
• Wi-Fi connectivity, through wireless local area network (WLAN) technology
• 256 MB (megabytes) or 512 MB of RAM (random-access memory)
• A screen resolution of 800 x 480 or 1024 x 600 pixels.

Intel predicts a global market for 180 million MID units, annually, by 2010. A number of other companies, including Nokia, are developing similar products.