Motion Computing introduced the LE1700, its new flagship slate. The new model comes in a standard and a "WriteTouch" version which offers an innovative digitizer that easily switches between writing and touch. The LE1700 has a 11.65 x 9.65 footprint, is just 0.74 inches thick, and weighs only 3.3 pounds. It is powered by a 1.5GHz Intel Core 2 Duo and can accommodate up to 4GB of RAM. The fingerprint reader now doubles as a navigation device and a second snap-on battery can provide full-shift operation. The 12.1-inch display has very high 1400 x 1050 pixel resolution and the polycarbonate/magnesium machine can be ordered with a variety of wireless radio options, and even has a SIM slot. [Read our full preview of the Motion LE1700] -- Posted Monday, March 26, 2007 by chb
Samsung reveals second-gen UMPC
According to a Reuters report, Samsung showed a second generation of its Ultra Mobile PC, the Q1 Ultra, at CeBIT. Samsung had expected to sell about 100,000 units of the first-gen Q1, but did not reach that goal. The Q1 Ultra has an improved keyboard, longer battery life, better wireless, is more handy, has a better display, navigation and mobile TV, and two cameras. Samsung expects to sell 200-300k units in the coming year, at a price of almost US$1,600. Our take: It's a reach. No matter how many features a UMPC has, it's a tough sell when you can buy a full function notebook for a few hundred bucks. Maybe the UMPC should concentrate on a) ultra-low cost, and b) rugged/vertical models. -- Posted Friday, March 16, 2007 by chb
Vulcan FlipStart near completion; blogger has YouTube demo
The Vulcan FlipStart, a tiny PC has been in the making for quite some time, but now it seems like it's finally going to be released. Preview units run on a 1.1GHz Pentium M , have 512MB of RAM, a 30GB drive, Windows XP (Vista possible), integrated EV-DO, 1024 x 600 Wide SVGA 5.6" display, 802.11b/g, and a webcam. James Kendrick presents a nice hands-on review of the Flipstart including a YouTube video. -- Posted Wednesday, March 7, 2007 by chb