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        Device profile: Psion Teklogix "Netbook Pro" handheld

        Staff | Date: Oct 2, 2003 | Comments: 1


        It's a PDA. It's a laptop. It's a new mini notebook handheld from Psion Teklogix powered by Microsoft's Windows CE .NET operating system and an Intel XScale processor. At about half the size of a typical laptop (9.3 x 7.2 x 1.4 in.) the Netbook Pro is portable and lightweight, yet delivers a full QWERTY keyboard along with a large, daylight-readable TFT SVGA 800 x 600 color touch display, its maker...

        says. Additional key features include instant-on and long battery life, and a full complement of expansion slots and interface ports.

        Psion Teklogix says the unique "crossover" device, sized midway between a PDA and a notebook, is aimed at the rapidly growing mobile "CRM" (customer relationship management) market, including sales force automation, field service management, and field inspection/data collection.

        The PCMCIA, CompactFlash, and SDIO expansion slots enable addition of a wide variety of peripherals, including support for 802.11b, Bluetooth, GSM/GPRS and CDMA/1xRTT.

        On the software side, the unit is said to deliver advanced networking and security protocol support (courtesy of its CE .NET OS), and flexible application development supported by Visual Studio .NET along with an embedded JEM-CE Java Virtual Machine. Apps included with the device include Internet Explorer 6.0, Windows Media Player, Terminal Emulator, Windows Messenger, and more.

        Key features and specifications of the device include . . .
        • Processor: 400MHz Intel XScale PXA255
        • Operating System: Microsoft Windows CE. version 4.2
        • Memory: 32MB Flash and 128MB SDRAM
        • Display: SVGA (800x600) TFT transmissive display with CCFL backlight
        • User input: Resistive touch screen for pen navigation; 58-key touch-type keyboard
        • Audio: AC97 Codec; mic input; speaker
        • Input/output ports:
          • RS232 serial port
          • IrDA 1.1
          • USB slave (routed to docking station)
          • Mini USB 1.1 master connector
        • Expansion sockets:
          • CompactFlash type I & II
          • PCMCIA type I & II
          • SDIO (includes SD card, MMC)
        • Power: DC Input Li-Ion battery pack (10.6V 2200mAH)
        • Size: 9.3 x 7.2 x 1.4 in.
        • Weight: 3 lb

        Reviews of NetBook Pro

        ZDNet has published a review of the Netbook Pro, noting the replacement of Psion's former EPOC operating system with Microsofts Windows CE .NET 4.2. Another review of the device appears at Forbes.com. Both are worth reading . . .