Business

The QUE, a proReader from Plastic Logic designed for business professionals, will be sold at Barnes & Noble stores next year, it was announced this week. Rather than being a standard e-reader, the QUE supports document formats most business users need such as PDF, Word, PowerPoint, Excel documents and more.

QUE is the size of an 8.5 x 11 inch pad of paper, about a 1/3 inch thick, and weighs less than many periodicals. It features a shatterproof plastic display, is wireless-enabled, and has the largest touchscreen in the industry (at this time). Read more

Epson just announced new projectors for businesses, including an all-in-one multimedia projector once only available to the education market.

The portable EX31, EX51 and EX71 start at less than $600 and feature 2500 lumen color and white light output. 30 percent smaller in size and weighing 20 percent less than their predecessors (the EX30, EX50 and EX70), they are easy to take with you on the go.Read more

Dell's new Vostro 430 desktop, aimed at small businesses, is available now with prices starting at $699. The desktop is optimized for Microsoft's upcoming Windows 7 OS, and comes with pre-installed video conferencing software. It also supports dual display and multi-touch technology (an optional touch screen monitor and webcam is required).

The Vostro 430 includes the Intel Core i5 or optional Intel Core i7 processors, and your choice of graphics options from NVIDIA and ATI. The Vostro 430 can accommodate up to 16GB of DDR3 SDRAM and up to 1TB of internal storage. Read more

Epson today announced an ultra-bright, ultra-portable projector for under $1,000 - the PowerLite 1716.

Weighing in at under four pounds, the new PowerLite 1716 is a multimedia projector designed for on-the-go professionals. Easy to set up and operate, it features XGA resolution and 2,700 lumens light output, USB Plug 'n Play, and also offers optional wireless add-ons.Read more

At CEDIA last week, Samsung announced the new P410M, an LED-based DLP Pocket Projector. The compact (5.8" W x 2.5" H x 5.7" D) P410M weighs less than two pounds and has a USB port so that media files can be played from any USB device without connecting the P410M to a computer. The projector also includes a built-in multimedia player, standard audio, video and PC inputs, and two stereo speakers. The LED can last up to 30,000 hours, consumes 30% less energy than traditional lamps and is mercury-free, making it easier to recycle.

Features include:

• Ultra portable weighing under 2 lbs
• Compact & Stylish Design at 5.8" W x 2.5" H x 5.7" D
• DLP optical engine with LED light source rated at 30,000 Hours life
• Up to 140% of NTSC color gamut
• Standard VGA-in (15-pin D-sub), RCA Composite Video in connectors
• Built-in 1W x 2 stereo speakers

The Samsung P410M Pocket Projector is now available for $599.

Acer just announced the new Acer Veriton Z280G-EA271CP all-in-one PC. Designed for the commercial market, or any office/home office that is short on space, the new energy-efficient PC starts in price at only $499.

This new AIO PC features an 18.5-inch widescreen LCD monitor and measures just 19-inches (W) by 15-inches (H) by 2.14-inches (D). With an Intel Atom ultra-low-voltage processor and fan-less operation, the Veriton Z280G is cool, quiet and Energy Star qualified.

Other features include a Multi-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader, 160GB hard drive, 2 GB Memory, Built-in 802.11b/g wireless, and it runs on Windows XP. The Super Multi Double-Layer drive is located on the side of the display for easy access. The system also comes with integrated speakers and a matching keyboard and mouse. Read more

Getac has launched its own version of what Panasonic would call the Toughbook. The Getac 9213 is said to be the smallest and lightest business-rugged notebook. It comes encased in a full magnesium alloy chassis and case. Also, the 9213 comes with a shock mounted HDD and LCD.

Additionally, the keyboard, touchpad and "surrounding surface" are spill-resistant. The 9213 comes equipped with a 45nm Intel C2D Penryn and boasts a battery life up to eight hours, or up to 12 hours without the optical drive.Read more