NEC MobilePro 900C launches in US

[Jonathon Watkins]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=2530' target='_blank'>http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.a...?contentid=2530</a><br /><br /></div>Geekzone report that NEC are introducing theNEC MobilePro 900c to the US. The MobilePro 900c is an "instant on" ultra portable handheld PC that weighs less than two pounds, yet features a near full-size keyboard and a flip-up-style 8.1-inch HVGA (640 x 240) display that has touch screen functionality. It is engineered with an Intel PXA255 400MHz” Note that this is running Window CE 4.2 and not any flavour of Pocket PC. <br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/nec900 (Custom).jpg" /> <br /><br />The specs include 64MB RAM, 32MB ROM, an integrated 56Kbps V.90 modem, a PC Card Type I/II slot, a Compact Flash Type I/II slot and an infrared (Fast IR) port. Software consists of CE .NET integrated viewers including ones for Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe PDF, custom Personal Information Management (PIM) applications, including e-mail, scheduling, task, and contact management and mobile synchronization.<br /><br />This feature might catch a few of your eyes: “Improved USB functionality which allows users to connect several peripherals to the product, including but not limited to, a full-size keyboard, a mouse, a CD/DVD drive, and a USB memory key.” You can read more about the 900C at <a href="http://www.necsam.com/mobilesolutions/products/MobilePro/900/">the NEC website</a>. <br /><br />Not a bad package at all. Now NEC, how about making the rest of us a PPC with a near full-sized keyboard?

[Aerestis]

I'm looking forward to it

[Zack Mahdavi]

Interesting... I especially like the idea of being able to connect select USB devices to this computer.

However, I think I'd rather go for the Sony Vaio with the 10" screen that's only slightly larger than this but is a full PC. Of course, if this is significantly cheaper than the Sony, I'd have to take that statement back.

I'm really looking forward to the dawn of subnotebooks here in the US. They're the rage in Japan, but as usual, us Americans are slow to catch on....

[dean_shan]

Ahh they return. I remember seeing somthing like this and it when I was a kid. If they weren't so expensive, I'd fulfill a childhood dream.

[T-Will]

Why doesn't it have built-in Wifi/Bluetooth and a wired NIC?

[Aerestis]

a ten inch sony vaio? hmmm I would like that more too.

Sub notebooks are going to be all the rage in my back pack soon.

[rock]

This thing must perform like a dog. No thanks.

No wifi or BT. PATHETIC!

Memory, WAIT, there is none. Get out of the stone ages.

It has a terrible screen as well; it should be twice that resolution . No thanks.

CE.NET? Are you joking? Really, are you joking?

If I were to buy another device that big, I'd get a new Alienware.

Bring on the OQO. :devilboy:

[Jonathon Watkins]

This thing must perform like a dog. No thanks.

No wifi or BT. PATHETIC!:

I think you are being more than a little harsh Rock. The PXA255 400MHz is a respectable processor. Not everyone needs wireless connectivity either. What makes you think that the performance of this unit is not up to scratch?

Memory, WAIT, there is none. Get out of the stone ages.

64Mb is still reasonable. It's certainly not none!

It has a terrible screen as well; it should be twice that resolution . No thanks.

Umm, this is the standard resolution for a device of this type. Has been for years.

CE.NET? Are you joking? Really, are you joking?

No. It has it's place. It's not a PPC - but it's not intended to be.....

Bring on the OQO. :devilboy:

Don't know if I can wait that long Rock! I want to get a new unit in the next 20 years. :wink:

[Anthony Caruana]

While I don't know enough to responl to all of Rock's comments I have to agree that a lack of connectivity and the lack of built in comms makes this device very unattractive.

While I appreciate what Johnathon says about not everyone needing wireless comms, I just think that this sort of mobile workhorse device is ill conceived unless it packs at least Blueooth.

If I was in the market for this sort of device I'd probably go for a 2nd hand Aero 8000 or Jornada 820

[rock]

This thing must perform like a dog. No thanks.

No wifi or BT. PATHETIC!:

I think you are being more than a little harsh Rock. The PXA255 400MHz is a respectable processor. Not everyone needs wireless connectivity either. What makes you think that the performance of this unit is not up to scratch?

**Can you imagine how poorly a movie will run on this screen with that processor. The e805 with a 4" screen, the latest video processor and 2MB of dedicated memory can barely cut it. This thing will be dog slow. I can also probably count on one hand the number of people that don't want some form of wireless.**

Memory, WAIT, there is none. Get out of the stone ages.

64Mb is still reasonable. It's certainly not none!

**I disagree here, 64 MB of RAM is not enough anymore. 32 MB of flash ROM definitely isn't enough.**

It has a terrible screen as well; it should be twice that resolution . No thanks.

Umm, this is the standard resolution for a device of this type. Has been for years.

**That's the problem, the specs ARE years old. Again, it's time to leave the stone ages behind.**

CE.NET? Are you joking? Really, are you joking?

No. It has it's place. It's not a PPC - but it's not intended to be.....

**Some people may like it, but it's place is the garbage heap IMO. Why not use XP? Oh, I forgot, it has stone age specs.**

Bring on the OQO. :devilboy:

Don't know if I can wait that long Rock! I want to get a new unit in the next 20 years. :wink:

**It's only a few more months, you can do it!**

[Fishie]

I love the Mobilepro.

Oh and Johnatan, the market for these has stagnated in the west in Japan tough it has not, that screen is not standard by a long shot annymore, standard screen for these devices is VGA and higher these days, the most popular current machine has a 800by480 WVGA screen that is just 5.1 inches, the Sigmarion3 sold by NTT DoCoMo and yes people use it as their main form of internet acces at home and use it as a desktop/laptop replacement becouse it is so small does what they need and then some while still being smaller and cheaper then an ultranotebook, space is of the essence for a lot of Japanese people as they live in verry small apartments.

I know a few who live in smaller appartments then the walk in closet I had in my hotelroom.

[SassKwatch]

I can buy a Fujitsu P1120 right now for ~$1200 that wouldn't be all that much bigger/heavier than this.....and have a full XP Pro OS. Unless this is going to be priced *considerably* less, I would question the appeal.

Definitely like the USB connectivity though. Any PPC oem that made that a standard in their devices might well have themselves at least one permanent customer.

[Jonathan1]

Didn't we go through this whole handheld PC fad a few years back? ;) I thought HP was the last to give up the HHPC. Wow. Talk about stubborn. 8O

Honestly, handheld PC's will always be a niche market simply due the their size. They are the awkward child of the PC revolution. Neither a full laptop nor an easily pocketable, and in that convenient, device. Adding to that the frustration is the lack of software support. Again hanging between worlds where neither Pocket PC software works nor desktop/laptop software. (This may be a moot point in the future with .NET framework support so *shrugs*)
That being said there are some qualities of these devices that are extremely attractive. First and foremost instant on. :drool: Windows XP (Pick your flavor.) Can only dream of getting a power on as fast as a CE device. Even exiting out of standby can take, estimates obviously, 4-10 times as long as "literal" instant on of CE devices.
Second battery life. While laptops and subnotebooks like the Sony Picturebook have constantly improved with their battery life over the years it pales to these devices.
Finally you have the ruggedness factor. These devices have no hard drives in them. Everything is stored on solid-state memory and because of this makes device failure much less likely.
There are a lot of good qualities in these devices but I think the industry has already spoken on where such devices will stand and its not mainstream by any stretch of the imagination.

[Jonathan1]

a lot of Japanese people as they live in verry small apartments.


Ya but how small? Does it have to fit in the crack of your butt?!?? 8O

Even a 12" laptop should be plenty small enough.

[anthonymoody]

Blech. This thing is a solution w/o a problem.

You can get a Panasonic W2 with a 12 inch screen, built in DVD/CD, built in wifi, 2.8 pounds, 5 hour battery life (I know, I have one)...and obviously full windows functionality. No instant on of course, but I gladly trade that for 100% functionality I get with the W2.

OR, you can buy the Panasonic R2...everything as above except no on board DVD/CD...and it weighs 2.1 pounds. Why you'd choose this NEC thing over the R2 baffles me.

TM

[allenalb]

the thing that you are all failing to consider here is that enterprise has many uses for these types of devices. they are easier to use than a pocket pc, because they mimic the standard windows interface AND have a very functional keyboard.

IT guys love them, because it takes all of 10 seconds to restore them when an employee screws then up, AND they don't have to worry about employees tryiing to install things like a pirated version of half-life 2, or hosing the os with spyware.

granted, they have limited usage in the consumer world, but before you all badmout something just because YOU don't like it, you should consider that others might.

all that said, i won't get one, i like my e805 too much :)

[Perry Reed]

Not a bad package at all. Now NEC, how about making the rest of us a PPC with a near full-sized keyboard?

Well, given that the new "SE" version of Windows Mobile supports landscape, maybe someone will give us such a beast soon enough.

Personally, I LOVE the subnotebook form-factor. Small and very portable, but with a real keyboard. I'd love to see a PPC in that form, or better yet, a Tablet PC.

[enemy2k2]

" NEC launches the MobilePro 900c Handheld PC - Monday March 22, 2004 10:22 AM EST

NEC today announced the $900 USD MobilePro 900c handheld PC running Windows CE .NET 4.2 OS. The 900c is optimized to support secure and scalable networking for the enterprise user.... "

Yup... this thing is pathetic for the price.

[ucfgrad93]

Yup... this thing is pathetic for the price.

I agree, this thing is way over priced.

This reminds me of the Jornada 720. I always like it, but there was limited programs for it and it was just too expensive.

[Bill Gunn]

....

granted, they have limited usage in the consumer world, but before you all badmout something just because YOU don't like it, you should consider that others might.

all that said, i won't get one, i like my e805 too much :)

You are exactly correct. The enterprise market is very different from the hobbyist market. Most Field Service applications have no use for wi-fi. And, I don't know of any enterprise applications that involve watching ripped DVD's. I do know that entering large amounts of data with a thumb-pad is not fun.

[Thinkingmandavid]

I am thinking the way to go is the P1000! I love Fujitsu laptops and had a good experience wiht one. I currently own a sony vaio and it is a piece!
I agree with everyone that has said wireless connectivity should be included. Wi Fi to the least. I remember when this was first advertised I considered investing in one, but the ram is what bothered me and no wi fi. The P1000 has it for subnotebooks. My complaint about the P1000 is lack of expanding the memory, 256 is all you get and it stays that way.

[rlobrecht]

Personally, I LOVE the subnotebook form-factor. Small and very portable, but with a real keyboard. I'd love to see a PPC in that form, or better yet, a Tablet PC.

Define sub-notebook. My Acer Tablet PC (convertible) has a 10.4" screen and weighs 3 pounds. That's pretty sub in my book. The 90% keyboard has taken some getting used to, but I can type on it great now.

There's also another Tablet PC from a no name company with an 8.5" screen.

[DarkHelmet]

I think the real news here is the NEC actually thinks that there are still people in the US who would be interested in the Handheld PC 2000 (!)...

Yeah - trying to sell a 4 year old mobile OS here - when you have people (like me) complaining that HP won't upgrade a 15 month old iPAQ with Windows Mobile 2003 (currently) on it to WM 2003 Second Edition...

Is the air is thinner in the UK?

[Zack Mahdavi]

Personally, I LOVE the subnotebook form-factor. Small and very portable, but with a real keyboard. I'd love to see a PPC in that form, or better yet, a Tablet PC.

Define sub-notebook. My Acer Tablet PC (convertible) has a 10.4" screen and weighs 3 pounds. That's pretty sub in my book. The 90% keyboard has taken some getting used to, but I can type on it great now.

There's also another Tablet PC from a no name company with an 8.5" screen.

That sounds pretty "SUB" to me! Personally, my definition of a subnotebook is a 12" powerbook. Anything smaller is just icing on the cake! I'd love to have a thinner powerbook (less than an inch) with no CD-ROM drive, yet keeps its 12" screen and keyboard size. If I could get that at under 3 pounds, I'd be very happy.

I also really like the Fujitsu P Series (http://www.computers.us.fujitsu.com/www/productbridge_pseries.shtml)... they start at $1199, so it's only 300 more than the NEC starting price. $300 for 90% more functionality? I'll pay it!

[xoiph]

Is the screen still DSTN? Because I remember the one thing I couldn't stand about my MP780 was the horrible passive matrix screen. It doesn't matter how many features are packed into this device if it still uses a stone age screen. The Sigmarion III is the way to go IMHO.

[Jonathon Watkins]

I think the real news here is the NEC actually thinks that there are still people in the US who would be interested in the Handheld PC 2000 (!)...

Yeah - trying to sell a 4 year old mobile OS here - when you have people (like me) complaining that HP won't upgrade a 15 month old iPAQ with Windows Mobile 2003 (currently) on it to WM 2003 Second Edition...

Ummm, it's not - it runs CE 4.2, which came out in the past year. This is a current OS.

Is the air is thinner in the UK?

The air is just spiffy thank you.

A reader sent this to us as news, I posted on it as it is relevant to PPCT.

In terms of upgrading to WM 2003 Second Edition, sure - complain & make your feelings known to HP - as I have with Del. This is a different situation. You are getting the latest relevant OS with this device.

*For it's intended market* this is a decent device with a good specification. This is *not* a consumer device & you are treating it as such.

[Dr. Grabow]

It still has a murky passive-matrix display.

Still no built-in networking.

My Sony TR2AP is only slightly larger, has a built-in CD-RW drive, 512MB memory, a 1280x768 top-notch display, runs Windows XP, 40 GB Hard drive, and excellent suspend/resume battery life to the point where it can be used "instant on" like a CE machine for a whole day.

So I don't see the point of this. Sure, the Sony is more expensive, but *vastly* more functional. If this device were $400 maybe it would make some sense. It's a very poor buy at its current price.

[felixdd]

This thing must perform like a dog. No thanks.

No wifi or BT. PATHETIC!

Some PPCs (i.e. the Mitac with the GPS) doesn't have wifi/BT as well. Neither does the V36; they must suck too.


Memory, WAIT, there is none. Get out of the stone ages.

So you're saying we're living in the stone ages right now, right? Most PPCs right now only offer 64 mbs (worse, for some of them only 57 is usable -- the ipaq 2210 comes to mind).


It has a terrible screen as well; it should be twice that resolution . No thanks.

well I can't argue with you there -- DSTN? Bleh...but this is the exception rather than the norm -- all other HPC devices on the market have TFT screens, and some of them are downright beautiful (i.e. my Intermec 6651 :D)


CE.NET? Are you joking? Really, are you joking?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the current iteration of PPCs based on CE.NET too?


If I were to buy another device that big, I'd get a new Alienware.

How much does the Alienware cost? How much bigger is it? Can it last 8 hours of constant work on a single charge?

Keep in mind that this machine is a "workhorse" type of machine. It seems to me that you want something for performance, whether for gaming or for graphics. This thing ain't for that -- it's for being able to take notes, type reports and spreadsheets, check email and synchronize with servers, etc.

But all in all, I would not buy this device either, but for reasons other than connectivity or otherwise -- I already have a WiFi CF card, so have no need to have a machine with wifi.

This machine is useful for someone that's on the field for a whole day and need to input information. These people won't necessarily have access to a battery, thus making battery life invaluable. A laptop's 4-5 hours just doesn't cut it for a full day's work. Furthermore, lugging even a 12" laptop is too much for on-the-field type of work, and the solid-state memory of HPCs ensure that the the device and the information can withstand the bumps and knocks of everyday life. Finally, having the instant-on ability means you can take down/retrieve information as the demand occurs, rather than wait through a bootup sequence.

I have an Intermec 6651, and before that I had a MobilePro 770. I also have a PPC and have played with keyboards, but as a university student, I found the PPC + keyboard combo is inadequate because the screen is just too small. But given the battery life of an HPC (lasts me the entire day and then some), having a touch screen to draw diagrams, a smaller footprint than a laptop, and the lightness and ruggedness -- I'd choose an HPC over a laptop anyday.

So this device can't really be compared with laptops, but as a class of its own. Some peopple will find the features it carries well worth the 900 USD.

While others (like me) will just wait for deals on ebay :D

[Shaun Stuart]

There's also another Tablet PC from a no name company with an 8.5" screen.

any idea where i can find more about this model ?

[isrjt]

Don't forget that these devices are instant on and off. You get a lot more battery life from being able to shut it off / on resuming your work or notes when needed. I think that is a very powerful option - just like pocket pc. I only with XP was loaded on ROM with 0 boot time.

I love the machine - but the whole software availablity and lack of the framework make it a no go.

I am considering the NEC tablet PC instead.

[anthonymoody]

You guys that are claiming this device will find a home in the enterprise make me laugh - hard. I AM the enterprise. This thing will fail MISERABLY. Guaranteed. And that's no bold prediction. It's an obvious one. A solution w/o a problem.

TM

[Fishie]

a lot of Japanese people as they live in verry small apartments.


Ya but how small? Does it have to fit in the crack of your butt?!?? 8O

Even a 12" laptop should be plenty small enough.

12 inch laptop is too big believe me

[Fishie]

I think the real news here is the NEC actually thinks that there are still people in the US who would be interested in the Handheld PC 2000 (!)...

Yeah - trying to sell a 4 year old mobile OS here - when you have people (like me) complaining that HP won't upgrade a 15 month old iPAQ with Windows Mobile 2003 (currently) on it to WM 2003 Second Edition...

Is the air is thinner in the UK?

Urgh, this thing runs WinCE4.2 not CE3.0

between that and complaining about the price and why YOU wouldnt get one the hate in here becomes unbearable.

This is NOT a consumer oriented device, its an enterprise device and as such is perfect for what its intended for.

[Fishie]

Is the screen still DSTN? Because I remember the one thing I couldn't stand about my MP780 was the horrible passive matrix screen. It doesn't matter how many features are packed into this device if it still uses a stone age screen. The Sigmarion III is the way to go IMHO.

I agree

[Fishie]

I think the real news here is the NEC actually thinks that there are still people in the US who would be interested in the Handheld PC 2000 (!)...

Yeah - trying to sell a 4 year old mobile OS here - when you have people (like me) complaining that HP won't upgrade a 15 month old iPAQ with Windows Mobile 2003 (currently) on it to WM 2003 Second Edition...

Ummm, it's not - it runs CE 4.2, which came out in the past year. This is a current OS.

Is the air is thinner in the UK?

The air is just spiffy thank you.

A reader sent this to us as news, I posted on it as it is relevant to PPCT.

In terms of upgrading to WM 2003 Second Edition, sure - complain & make your feelings known to HP - as I have with Del. This is a different situation. You are getting the latest relevant OS with this device.

*For it's intended market* this is a decent device with a good specification. This is *not* a consumer device & you are treating it as such.

Exactly, good to note is that WM 2k3 SE runs on the same OS base as this machine so if you consider this OS outdated so is the yet to be released second edition for PPC

[Fishie]

You guys that are claiming this device will find a home in the enterprise make me laugh - hard. I AM the enterprise. This thing will fail MISERABLY. Guaranteed. And that's no bold prediction. It's an obvious one. A solution w/o a problem.

TM

Must be why Psion entered the enterprise with a WinCE machine recently, must be why the outdated intermec 6651 to this day still sells for 1399$, must be why companies asked HP to reconsider dropping the 720/728 etcetera.

The world is larger then your backyard.

[felixdd]

And as far as software availability is concerned -- actually most programs that run on the PPC will run, with a few tweaks, on the HPC platform. I've run Adobe Acrobat, Netfront, Pocketwarrior, and slews of games (i.e. Snails) w/o problem on my HPC.

The "software tweaking" issues are a more esoteric side to owning a HPC, so it's understandable that people don't know about it. But c'mon -- how can people complain that it's got an "outdated OS", or "meagre amounts of memory", when its stats are on-par with many other PPCs out there today? It's OK to give opinions and all, but please, do research first!

You guys that are claiming this device will find a home in the enterprise make me laugh - hard. I AM the enterprise. This thing will fail MISERABLY. Guaranteed. And that's no bold prediction. It's an obvious one. A solution w/o a problem.

TM

That's quite a bold statement to claim. Might I ask: in which sector of the enterprise are you occupied?

[PPower]

The EZPAD is really good for the price. Check out a review of it www.the-gadgeteer.com and it beats the NEC 900c so badly!

[Perry Reed]

Define sub-notebook. My Acer Tablet PC (convertible) has a 10.4" screen and weighs 3 pounds. That's pretty sub in my book. The 90% keyboard has taken some getting used to, but I can type on it great now.

There's also another Tablet PC from a no name company with an 8.5" screen.

Yep, that Acer certainly qualifies. I've seen them, though not had a chance to play with one. How do you like yours? It certainly is pretty close, form-factor-wise, to what I would want. Is the performance decent?

[Fishie]

And how long exactly does the battery last?

How closed is the system for specific uses and how easy and cheap is it to write property software for it to run specific field tasks?

[pphilipp]

I own a desktop computer and 3 laptops, all with Windows XP but had to re-evaluate my needs when looking for a tablet PC. Did I really need a full-blown operating system on a tablet when my needs for the tablet were much more limited and specialized? I thought, "if only there were a device that operated like a pocket pc but with the larger size of a tablet."



I'm an artist and wanted something to draw on... but I also wanted it to be light, rugged, responsive and quick to turn on or off.



I did my research and discovered that such devices have been produced for several years, with a following much larger overseas than in the USA. In the United States they are mainly sold for industrial purposes. The one I recently purchased on ebay is manufactured for hospital/medical usage... it is ideal for hospitals and it is also ideal for an artist like myself.



I searched some Japanese web sites and located an art program for Windows CE that is so intuitive and responsive that I also loaded it onto my Toshiba pocket pc. It's not a new program, Japanese artists have been using it along with Windows CE hardware to produce very sophisticated Anime for several years now.



What is wrong with us Americans when it comes to computers? We feel like we have to own the latest big "Cadillac" when our needs might be better serviced by a smaller, more "gas efficient" compact.



As I hike the trails with my Windows CE tablet tucked into my backpack, I have confidence knowing that as soon as it's whipped-out into usage, it will turn on instantly and operate the way it's supposed to... and give me very good results as well! The same can't be said for my other computers with their spinning hardrives and monstrously large operating systems.