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CEATEC: Sharp intros NetWalker, the touchscreen mini-netbook
If you're one of the many iPhone fans who have longed for a full-fledged tactile keyboard to go along with your touchscreen device, the new NetWalker PC-Z1 from Sharp, displayed at this week's CEATEC in Japan, may be the powerful compromise solution you've been looking for. The tiny unit is meant to occupy the space somewhere between a smartphone and a netbook with a quick launch function (three seconds) and an easy to navigate 5-inch touchscreen interface.
In addition to allowing you to surf the Internet, send email, and create documents, the NetWalker is also designed to work as an electronic dictionary and e-book reader. Running on the Ubuntu OS, the device also features an optical pointer, a USB port, WiFi, 4 gigabytes of memory, a microSD memory card slot, and has a battery life of 10 hours. Priced at 44,800 yen ($500), the unit is scheduled for Japan release in late October.
Via Sharp
By clef usb at 5:08 AM ON 10/09/09
So... Sharp is jumping also into the mini-netbook. I hope it will different from Amazon’s Kindle. Dual colour touch screens look so attractive and comfortable. I have decided to buy it as soon as possible. I hope Sharp will be moving forwards along with cheaper prices to maintain competition edge.
By Reglan Side Effects Lawsuit at 9:42 AM ON 10/09/09
Sounds like a pretty good purchase, but it could probably come down in price a little. I'd like to know just how convenient it is to carry around though before I think about buying it.
By thisisonlyatest at 5:04 PM ON 10/11/09
Isn't the definition of netbook a mini-laptop?
So that would make this a mini-mini-laptop...?
It's fugly, but woohoo for the touch screen (thus needing no mouse). Is it multi-touch capable (meaning can you poke it in multiple locations to use multiple pointers)?
Honestly, I only somewhat like it, but this is coming from a guy wouldn't crack open a laptop case under any circumstances.
By ZaurusFan at 3:15 PM ON 10/13/09
That looks pretty. Unfortunately, Like so many other ex-Sharp customers. I don't trust Sharp due to the way they suddenly dropped all support for the Zaurus, before killing the platform entirely. For this reason, I'll never own.
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ZaurusFan:
That looks pretty. Unfortunately, Like so many other ex-Sharp customers. I don't trust Sharp due to the way they s...More »