NBC TODAY: Computers

It?s geek week in New York as over 85,000 Information Technology experts invade the Big Apple for the annual PC EXPO trade show. PCEXPO is now being called TECHXNY, an obvious effort by organizers to shift away from the tainted PC vernacular. Despite all the bad news these days in the computer market, PC makers continue to deliver impressive products especially in the super thin notebook category. In fact, today?s laptops are more powerful than the super computers used to launch the early space ships.


Compaq EVO
Compaq is ditching its Armada and sailing with a new brand called EVO. EVO is a super cool, super thin computer. Less than an inch thick and weighing under 4 pounds, the EVO is the first notebook to incorporate interchangeable wireless capabilities on its outer shell. Dubbed the MultiPort for the next generation of options, including wireless mobility, other features include a dual battery option and a docking port.




IBM ThinkPad TransNote
This funky laptop looks like a leather portfolio, yet it opens to reveal a tiny computer and companion pad of notebook paper that allows you to write, scribble or draw and have it immediately transfer to the PC. Combining a mobile computer with a digital notepad, the ThinkPad TransNote helps mobile users integrate paper-based information into the digital workspace efficiently?and turns heads with its stylish and flexible portfolio design.

The ThinkPad TransNote portfolio notebook provides a different and better experience. It's ideal for mobile professionals, such as executives, sales reps, bankers or attorneys. The ThinkScribe digital notepad, digital pen and Ink Manager Pro capture handwritten ideas on paper and transfer them to the computer, where they can be organized and searched. Easily share notes and ideas by dropping them into e-mail, word processing documents or presentations. The ThinkPad TransNote organizes handwritten "to-dos" and can be used to fill out customized forms.




Samsung SyncMaster 210T
Offering both digital and analog inputs, the 21.3-inch flat screen computer monitor display is both a computer monitor for viewing demanding graphics as well as a video display for direct hook up to a VCR, DVD player or camcorder. The easy-to-use SyncMaster 210T provides digital image quality without any signal degradation or the hassle of time-consuming adjustments. Samsung?s SyncMaster 210T is currently shipping.

The SyncMaster 210T features Picture-In-Picture (PIP), a resizable window that allows two different inputs sources to be viewed simultaneously. For example, you can watch a DVD or your digital satellite receiver in a window while working on your computer. The powerful 210T also offers a Picture-By-Picture function that splits the display screen into two equal viewing areas for convenient side-by-side screening of two different input sources, text-pages/graphic-images and full motion video.

The SyncMaster 210T offers users the option of using either a digital or analog interface for viewing images and text. The Digital Video Interface (DVI) ensures a sharper, cleaner image and a more accurate representation of the original video source. Since video starts out digital in a PC graphics card, the digital output is directly interfaced to the digital input of the LCD panel and always provides the optimum quality image. In addition, no end-user adjustments are required with a digital display, even when randomly changing resolutions.

When used with an analog input, the SyncMaster 210T offers an easy-access, one-button auto calibration system for greater control over the on-screen image allowing for quick proportioning of screen geometry, contrast, brightness and clock-phase. The On Screen Display system features a comprehensive menu of controls, including auto adjustment, color and image size.




Apple iBook
The lightest and smallest full-featured consumer and education Apple notebook on the market today. Weighing just 4.9 pounds, the new iBook features the first 1024-by-768 resolution 12.1-inch display in its class, Fire Wire for video editing, and up to 5 hours of battery life. Starting at only $1,299, the amazingly affordable new iBook fits perfectly in today's active digital lifestyle.




Apple Titanium G4
The first supercomputer you can actually take with you on an airplane. Apart from being able to watch DVD movies on a stunning 15.2-inch (measured diagonally) widescreen format display with 1152x768-pixel resolution in millions of colors, just imagine being able to carry around the kind of horsepower you?ve previously associated only with systems like the Power Mac G4. Just 1 inch thick and weighing a mere 5.3 pounds, the PowerBook G4 is a heavyweight in an ultra light body-the world?s first notebook computer made of 99.5% pure grade titanium.




Dell Inspiron 2100
This is the thinnest and lightest Inspiron notebook EVER, weighs only 3.4 pounds for easy handling and effortless mobility. Slim 1-inch silhouette in a sleek and durable magnesium alloy case Large viewing area on a 12.1" XGA TFT display provides a vibrant multimedia experience and enhances productivity Integrated 10/100 NIC and integrated 56K3 V.90 modem keep you in touch over dialup and broadband connections from any location. A comfortable full-size keyboard gives you plenty of room to maneuver.

New for ultra mobile systems, the high-power, low-voltage Intel Pentium III processor at 700MHz with SpeedStep technology-meets your high demands while using minimal battery power. ATI RAGE Mobility MTM video with 4MB of memory for great 2D and 3D video performance, 10GB to 20GB internal hard drive capacity for storing your share of digital images, MP3s, games, and other necessities are also included. And if you need really massive storage, add on an external second 20GB hard drive.




Gateway Solo 3350
Delivers the perfect balance of portability and performance with a state of the art design. Thinner and lighter than most daily planners, the Solo 3350 is designed to optimize efficiency by encouraging you to take your notebooks to locations you previously would not have considered.

The Solo 3350 provides performance features that one would normally expect from only a full-sized notebook such as a 700Mhz PIII processor, 10-20GB HD, and integrated modem & 10/100 Ethernet.

At 3.65 pounds and 1" thin, the Solo 3350 delivers the perfect balance of ultra portability and performance. Thinner and lighter than your daily planner, the Solo 3350 is designed to optimize your efficiency in limited workspace conditions such as airplane seating.