A Pen That Works on Paper and Your Laptop?

Years ago, Microsoft proclaimed that the future of the notebook PC was the tablet PC. It was envisioned as a sleek slate designed exclusively for input with a digital stylus -- but customers demanded that they have keyboards like traditional notebooks.

The Siso Tablo from Hantech is a pen-like device that turns any laptop computer into a tablet PC.

(Courtesy Hantech Corporation)

So they changed it. The screen could swivel around and be folded back on top of the keyboard, resulting in a relatively fat tablet.

But tablet PCs were more expensive than their non-touch versions, and they were soon relegated to niche status, despite their usefulness.

Because tablet PCs need to have a touch-sensitive screen installed when they are produced, you haven't been able to add that function after you bought one.

Probably the product that came the closest thing to doing that was the IOGEAR Digital Scribe, which allowed you to control the cursor and "write" on the screen by moving a digital stylus around a piece of paper.

Tablo Can Be Used Directly on PC's Screen

Hantech, though, has now released the SiSo Tablo which, in addition to working on a piece of paper, can be used directly on the PC's screen like a stylus. To do this, Tablo includes a USB device that looks like a miniature desk lamp that attaches to the top or sides of a PC screen. It tracks the movement of its stylus using ultrasound; the stylus requires three tiny batteries, each the size of an aspirin.

Tablo ships with Microsoft software that makes Windows think the PC is a tablet PC and allows all the tricks that a tablet PC can do, including handwriting recognition.

Tablo can be handy for creating a quick diagram, sketch, or signature inside a document. It could also be useful for filling out a large number of check boxes on digital forms. And because it works with so wide a variety of notebooks, Tablo offers you more choice in terms of PC configuration.

For example, Tablo can be used with inexpensive netbooks with 10-inch screens, whereas most tablet PCs have larger screens -- and the extra weight that comes with them.

But the overall experience of the device needs work. First, rather than simply clipping to the top of a laptop like a webcam, the Tablo receiver requires a tiny magnetic ingot that must be stuck to the laptop's surface and must be removed when the laptop is closed.

Aspire AOD250's dual boots

Acer has released the new Aspire AOD250 netbook that dual boots in Android OS and Windows XP operating system. Priced at $308.99 , this Acer netbook boasts of fast Android Boot option for "instant on" Internet access. This Acer Aspire machine has 10.1-inch screen has same old Aspire line chassis and is available in Ruby Red, Diamond Black, Sapphire Blue and Seashell White colors.

Acer boasts of the special dual-boot feature that allows users to switch between Windows XP and Android. Designed specifically for mobile platform, the Android OS features Instant On feature that connects user to Internet within fraction of seconds.

In the internals, Acer packed 1.66GHz Intel Atom N280 processor with 512KB L2 Cache and 667MHz FSB which is paired with Mobile Intel 945GSE chipset. Other hardware components include 1GB DDR2 667MHz RAM, 160GB 5400RPM SATA HDD and Intel GMA 950 integrated.

For video chat, Acer added Crystal Eye Webcam and two stereo speakers built-in. Netbook's 10.1-inch WSVGA display carries Acer CrystalBrite LED-backlit technology and also feature Dolby Headphone technology for more realistic audio through headphones. Also, there is Multi-gesture trackpad which has become sort of a norm in netbooks.

acer details :

* 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 Processor
* 1024MB DDR2 SDRAM Single Channel Memory
* 160GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
* Windows XP Home (SP3), Up to 7.5 Hours of Battery Life (6-Cell 5200 mAh)
* 10.1-Inch WSVGA CrystalBrite LED Display, Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950

HP's New Touch Screen Laptop

HP is taking touch to the people, with new touch screen laptop and desktop models, all featuring Windows 7 and some shipping on Oct. 22, when the new operating system is formally introduced.

The new multi-touch models include a number of applications that take advantage of the interface, including Hulu, Netflix, Pandora, Recipe Box, a webcam "photo booth" application, and the HP Music Store.

• HP TouchSmart tx2 -- A laptop, starting at $799, with a 12.1-inch screen that rotates 180-degrees for use as a tablet. Besides touch commands, users can write or draw on the screen with an electronic pen. Available Oct. 22.
• HP TouchSmart 300 and 600 -- Are the third-generation of HP's touch-enabled desktops. The 300 has a 20-inch screen and the 600 (shown) has a 23-inch display. The 300 starts at $899 and will begin deliveries on Nov. 1, with the 600 due Oct. 22 and priced starting at $1,049. Read our review of the HP TouchSmart 600.
• HP TouchSmart 9100 -- An all-in-one desktop, starting at $1,299, which includes a 23-inch touch screen. It can be used as standard touch screen PC or tasked as a map or events kiosk in an office, hotel, or other location. Deliveries begin in December.
• HP LD42200tm -- A digital signage device with a 42-inch touch screen. Available in December for $2,799.

Besides touch screens, HP also introduced several business desktop and laptop computers as well as new value-oriented Compaq-branded desktops and a laptop.

The Compaq Presario CQ61z (where do they get these model numbers?) costs only $399 and features a 15.6-inch screen, after $100 instant rebate. The Compaq 500B business desktop sells for $359, while the new Compaq Presario 4010f desktop sells for $309.

My take: The laptop looks very interesting and I will consider purchasing one during my next upgrade cycle. I am not wild about reaching out to touch a desktop, although HP is pushing these models for entertainment and kitchen use, where touch makes some sense.

In the kitchen, the touch screen is meant to be used with recipes and other applications that can work entirely by touch when keyboard use isn't appropriate. Verbal directions are also provided.

The new Compaq's are a welcome addition to lowest-priced laptops and desktops. The laptop competes with netbooks on price and will win some of those battles.

David Coursey

Sony releases Vaio X, Vaio CW Laptops

Sony has released the official specs for its super-slim Sony Vaio X series laptops, which the company was showing off last month at the IFA trade show in Berlin. The specs are pretty close to what was predicted, but there are a few surprises--including a lower-than-expected price. Sony also detailed its upcoming Vaio CW series laptops, which are less expensive than the X series.

The Sony Vaio X is sure to turn heads, with its carbon fiber body weighing in at 1.6 pounds. At only 0.55-inches thick, the new Vaio X is a little bit thinner than the recently announced Dell Latitude Z, and a lot lighter than most ultra-slim notebooks.

You will have to make some trade offs for the Vaio X's sleek chassis, though, starting with its puny 11.1-inch LED backlit screen with 1366 x 768 resolution. By comparison, the MacBook Air has a 13.3-inch diagonal screen and the Dell Latitude Z sports a whopping 16-inch display. As for the processor, Sony will only say it's a 2.0 GHz Intel chip. Early speculation said the Vaio X would come with an Atom processor, which would make the Vaio X's processor the Atom Z550, but that is only speculation.

The Vaio X ships with Windows 7, 2GB DDR2 RAM, 64GB solid-state drive, multi-touch trackpad, Memory Stick Duo and SD card slots, GPS (works in the U.S. and Canada only), Ethernet, Wi-Fi (802.11n) and Bluetooth connectivity, 2 X USB 2.0 ports, and MOTION EYE Webcam. The Vaio X also comes with built-in 3G capability, which requires a Verizon wireless broadband subscription. Available colors include black and gold. The Vaio X's body is made of carbon fiber, but the top case around the trackpad and keyboard is aluminum.

Sony Vaio X pricing starts at $1300, which is much lower than Sony's claim last month that they Vaio X would be priced under $2000. The Vaio X will start shipping in November and can be found on Sonystyle.com right now.

CW Series


For something a little cheaper you can try the Sony Vaio CW on for size. This laptop runs Windows 7, and features an optional Blu-ray drive, 4GB of DDR3 RAM, 2.2GHz Core 2 Duo processor, NVIDIA GeForce dedicated graphics card, 320GB hard drive and HDMI out, which Sony says will allow you to playback high-definition content on your big screen TV. Available colors include fiery red, poppy pink, icy white, jet black and indigo purple.

The Vaio CW series starts at $780, but looking around on Sony's Website, the cheapest version I could find of the model described above started at $800. The CW Series will be available at the end of this month, likely after the Windows 7 launch on October 22.

Toshiba releases ultra-thin laptop line

Toshiba has released a reasonably priced line of ultra-thin laptops. The Satellite T100 series - which measures less than one inch thick - has a starting weight of 3.49 pounds and delivers up to 9 hours of battery life.

"Toshiba has a long history of engineering laptops in highly compact form factors with value-added elements that enhance the mobile computing experience," explained company spokesperson Carl Pinto. "These new ultra-thin laptops reflect the next step in Toshiba laptop innovation, delivering the perfect balance of performance, mobility and style, and broaden our portfolio of ultra-mobile offerings, giving consumers more choice."

According to Pinto, the Satellite T135 features a 13.3-inch diagonal widescreen display and will be available with Toshiba's Fusion Finish in Nova red, black and white. Meanwhile, the Satellite T115 offers an 11.6-inch diagonal widescreen display and is expected to be sold in Nova red and black colors.

Both machines are loaded with Windows 7 Home Premium and include a HD impact sensor, DDR3 memory, touch pad, multiple expansion ports, HDMI-out, Wireless N technology and Bluetooth.

Additional specs include:

Satellite T135 ($600)

• Intel Pentium SU4100 or SU2700 processor
• DDR3 RAM
• Starting at 250GB (5400 RPM) HDD
• 802.11b/g/n wireless and 10/100 Ethernet
• One eSATA/USB combo port with USB sleep-and-charge and two USB 2.0 ports
• Integrated webcam with Toshiba Face Recognition, stereo speakers and microphone
• 5-in-1 memory card reader slot

Satellite T115 ($450)

• Intel Pentium SU4100 or Celeron 743 processor
• DDR3 RAM
• Starting at 250GB (5400 RPM) HDD
• 802.11b/g/n wireless and 10/100 Ethernet
• One eSATA/USB combo port with USB sleep-and-charge and two USB 2.0 ports
• Integrated webcam with Toshiba Face Recognition, stereo speakers and microphone
• 5-in-1 memory card reader slot

Both laptops will be launched alongside Windows 7 on October 22, 2009.