News

  • Home > News

        Ultra-mobile device has webcam, QWERTY keyboard

        Jonathan Angel | Date: Sep 4, 2007 | Comments: 1


        Packard Bell has introduced a notebook-style ultra-mobile device that includes a 7-inch display and a full QWERTY keyboard. The EasyNote XS also incorporates a webcam and a 30 GB hard drive, the company says.



        Not much larger than a paperback book, the EasyNote XS is the first shipping version of Via's NanoBook Ultra Mobile Device (UMD) reference design introduced in June of this year, according to the companies. However, it omits that design's modular dock to the right of the display, replacing it with the integral webcam.

        Like the Via NanoBook design, the EasyNote XS has a 4-in-1 card reader and integrated 802.11 b/g wireless networking. Packard Bell has apparently eliminated the reference design's Ethernet and Bluetooth capabilities, but the DVI output has been retained.


        The EasyNote XS is not much larger than a paperback

        The 2.1-pound EasyNote XS has a 7-inch WVGA (840 x 480) display, but without the touchscreen capabilities specified by Via. Battery life is said to be from 3 hours with WiFi on, to 4.5 hours with WiFi off.

        Specifications listed by Packard Bell include:
        • Processor -- 1.2GHz Via C7-M ULV Processor
        • Chipset -- Via VX700 System Media Processor with integrated North and South Bridge
        • Memory -- DDR2 SO-DIMM up to 1GB
        • Storage -- built-in 30GB hard drive
        • Graphics:
          • Based on Via UniChrome Pro II IGP Integrated 3D/2D Graphics
          • uses shared video memory up to 64MB
          • DVI port
          • built-in 7-inch WVGA (840 x 480 pixel) LCD
        • Audio:
          • based on Via Vinyl VT1708A HD Audio codec
          • built-in stereo speakers
          • mic in, 1 headphone/line out jack
        • Networking -- 802.11b/g
        • I/O:
          • 4-in-1 card reader
          • 2 x USB 2.0 ports
        • Battery -- 4 rechargeable cells, for up to 4.5 hours of battery life
        • Dimensions -- 9.1 x 6.7 x 1.2 inches (230 x 171 x 29mm)
        • Weight -- 2.1 pounds (950g)
        The C7-M Ultra Mobile Platform chipset draws less power than other chipsets, Via says, because it is based on an ultra-low-voltage processor, and is built with IBM's 90nm SOI chip-making process that places a layer of insulation between silicon substrates -- the same chip technology used in latest-generation video game consoles such as the Xbox 360 and Wii.

        Availability

        The EasyNote XS is said to be available now from European retailers, for approximately 600 euros. It ships with Windows XP Home Edition, but is also compatible with Windows XP Embedded.

        Several other notebook-style ultra-mobile devices with somewhat similar features to those of the EasyNote XS have been unveiled in recent months, including ones from FlipStart (left) and HTC (right).


        Related stories: