Mobile Development

Mobile PCs refer to all mobile computers, including laptops, notebooks, Tablet PCs, ultra mobile PCs (UMPCs), and other form factors that are developed running Microsoft Windows XP or a later version of the full Windows operating system. Mobile development is the process of creating applications to run in the most optimized way on mobile PCs.

Mobile PCs vs. Mobile Devices

Mobile PCs are defined as computers that run the full Microsoft Windows XP or later operating system. More specifically, mobile PC development refers to creating applications for laptops, notebooks, sub-notebooks, ultra-mobile PCs or the premier
mobile PC, the Tablet PC.

This means that we are not talking about mobile devices such as Pocket PCs or Smartphones running the Windows Mobile operating system. These are usually referred to as mobile devices as opposed to mobile PCs.

Mobile PC Considerations

Applications for mobile PCs need to be aware of the often constrained resources available and the changing states that occur as a result of not being in a static location. In order to give the user an optimal experience on a mobile PC, software must be aware of these changing conditions and react in the most appropriate way for the user.

Power Management

One of the main resource restrictions on a mobile PC is the limited power provided when running on a battery. In addition to being aware of the amount of power left and warning the user to save their work when it gets low, a great mobile PC application should be aware of when the machine is running on the battery and limit unnecessary activity. For instance, limit the use of animations or unnecessarily accessing network connections. to read more here

source MSDN