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View Full Version : NEC's Light New TabletPC


Suhit Gupta
08-30-2004, 06:45 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://akiba.sorobangeeks.com/news_8597.html' target='_blank'>http://akiba.sorobangeeks.com/news_8597.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"HPClean from the very famous TabletPC Corner will be able to tell us much more about it, but this is a new Tablet PC by NEC, the VERSAPRO VY11F/GL-R (Pentium M1.1 and 885g)."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/lighttablet.jpg" /><br /><br />It is only 11mm thick and only 885g heavy. Equipped with WiFi, a 10.4-inch TFT screen, Pentium M 733 processor, three USB 2.0 slots, and a 1.6-2.4 hour battery (though there is a 2.8-4.2 hours battery as well). It will only set you back about 300,000 yen ($2,700), but doesn't it look worth it? 8)

Perry Reed
08-30-2004, 07:03 PM
It does look pretty nice! But I cannot tell if it has a keyboard. My favorite Tablet design is the "convertable" that can be used like a laptop or, by swivelling the screen around, like a slate.

Felix Torres
08-30-2004, 07:16 PM
It does look pretty nice! But I cannot tell if it has a keyboard. My favorite Tablet design is the "convertable" that can be used like a laptop or, by swivelling the screen around, like a slate.

This is an update of the existing NEC VersaLite Tablet which came with a PIII CPU.
It is a pure slate design.
It *does* ship with an external USB keyboard and CD-RW drive.

If you favor convertibles, this is not for you.
But if you can live without a keyboard, there is no lighter tablet on the market. The biggest limitation on the first-gen tablet is the 20GB HD.
I have several friends at work that live on their VersaLites.
They're very cool and useful, as long as you're not a keypuncher.

Me, I have the TC1000 tablet with the detachable keyboard.
Which I detached and haven't used in six months.
After adding in SP and seeing how well the new TabletInputPanel works, I doubt I'll use the keyboard more than once or twice a year.

Your milleage will vary, of course.

James Fee
08-30-2004, 07:23 PM
Boy is that a nice looking design. Slate tablets are not for me, but I'd love to have that as a second "laptop".

Perry Reed
08-30-2004, 07:26 PM
If you favor convertibles, this is not for you.
But if you can live without a keyboard, there is no lighter tablet on the market. The biggest limitation on the first-gen tablet is the 20GB HD.
I have several friends at work that live on their VersaLites.
They're very cool and useful, as long as you're not a keypuncher.

Thanks! Honestly, I have yet to try a Tablet PC. I love the idea, but can't afford one. But with my Pocket PC, I regularly carry around a Stowaway keyboard because, for anything longer than a sentence or so, I need a "real" keyboard.

Although I suppose if the new SIP is good enough, I could learn to do without. Especially for browsing, I'd probably not miss the keyboard much at all.

Felix Torres
08-30-2004, 07:52 PM
Thanks! Honestly, I have yet to try a Tablet PC. I love the idea, but can't afford one.

If you don't mind "last year's model" the TC1000 can be had for $999 and the older VersaLite can be had for under $1200.
Which is a premium over comparable non-tablet ultralights but about 40% off list.

They are *very* useful for display-intensive and annotation apps.
And not bad for digital media.
Just don't expect to play Doom3 on them. ;-)

Suhit Gupta
08-30-2004, 07:52 PM
Well, if you have a good IR and/or BT stowaway keyboard, it would work with both a tablet as well as a PocketPC. I think a TabletPC is a really cool idea and I am so happy with mine. The ones with detachable keyboards are not my style either but this one still seems very cool in terms of portability. Very Star Trek! ;-)

Suhit

Felix Torres
08-30-2004, 08:16 PM
Although I suppose if the new SIP is good enough, I could learn to do without. Especially for browsing, I'd probably not miss the keyboard much at all.

http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/windowsxp_tabletpc2005.asp

Here's a review of the new software with good pics.
I configured mine so that just hovering over the icon and the insert button carries out the command.
Makes for very fast input and my eyes never leave the screen, which is useful for a non-touch typist like me.

Perry Reed
08-30-2004, 09:12 PM
http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/windowsxp_tabletpc2005.asp

Here's a review of the new software with good pics.
I configured mine so that just hovering over the icon and the insert button carries out the command.
Makes for very fast input and my eyes never leave the screen, which is useful for a non-touch typist like me.

All that article does is make me want a Tablet PC very very badly... :)

Gary Sheynkman
08-30-2004, 09:54 PM
2 hours? I pass

dave_p_1
09-01-2004, 07:04 PM
For more on the VersaPro try:

This PDF:

http://www.express.nec.co.jp/catalog/tablet.pdf

From this site:

http://www.express.nec.co.jp/products/versapro/tablet_pc/index.html

Unfortunately, it's mostly in Japanese.

Still, under 2 pounds! I'm going to have to start saving up. My Motion m1300 is fantastic but at 3.1 pounds it can get heavy after awhile.

BTW, as far as the keyboard, like some here, I never use mine. In fact, the only time I miss it is in web browsing. As long as I write real words, I am amazed how well the handwriting recognition works. OTOH, trying to write in a URL can be challenging to the recognition engine (especially for 1 vs. l or 0 vs. O). Fortunately, there are several options for input including an on-screen keyboard. I love my tablet.

Dave