NEC Computer Systems Division Announces a Brighter and Smarter Handheld Personal Computer MobilePro 450
NEW YORK CITY — June 17, 1997 — Editor Highlights:
– NEC's MobilePro(TM) handheld personal computer based on the Microsoft(R) Windows(R) CE platform builds upon the first generation handheld computer and now incorporates "backlight" technology.
– The NEC MobilePro 450 ships with a full suite of software solutions. MicroBurst Virtual Courier — Virtual Courier allows Windows CE mobile users to access their office LAN based e-mail messages via modem or wireless connection. Supports MS mail, Exchange and ccMail.
Symantec PC ANYWHERE — PC ANYWHERE for Windows CE is the fastest and easiest way to remotely access the files, applications and information of another PC from a remote location using a Windows CE-based H/PC. It provides remote access features that allow you to perform both remote control and text transfer with a host PC that is running PC ANYWHERE.
JetForm for Windows CE — JetForm turns your computer into a mobile data collection device. The product is fully compatible with JetForm Filler, JetForm Filler Pro, and JetForm Central. By integrating the JoeyForms design and data collection capabilities with the powerful forms processing and workflow technology provided by JetForm, mobile professionals can use Windows CE handheld PCs to streamline administrative tasks, reduce costly paperwork, and increase personal efficiency.
bFAX and bPRINT — bFAX and bPRINT from BSQUARE DEVELOPMENT are powerful communication tools that bring desktop functionality to your handheld PC. bFAX, the only true fax solution for Windows CE, works with a PC Card modem to send and receive documents in several formats and is integrated with your Contacts list. BPRINT supports all the same formats as bFAX and allows you to print directly from your MobilePro 450.
CIC QuickNotes — QuickNotes is an electronic pad of paper that collects all of your handwritten notes & organizes them by date. It makes recording your thoughts, ideas, and drawings as easy as scribbling them on a notepad.
M-Systems — M-Systems' true FFS (the leading implementation of the FTL industry standard for flash management) solution for Windows CE enables data transportability between portable consumer products, such as digital cameras, and personal computers. FTL allows linear Flash PC Cards to fully emulate hard drives, bringing high performance and low power consumption together in data storage for portable applications.
– Weighing less than a pound, the NEC MobilePro 450 features a specially designed ergonomic keyboard, answering the need for a truly "usable" compact keyboard with a highly tactile feel.
– NEC's MobilePro 450 is equipped with the NEC Electronics' VR4101(TM) MIPS RISC CPU for added battery-savings, power and functionality.
– MobilePro 450 offers instant synchronization with PC or laptop via the serial port and MobilePro 450 Direct Connection Cable or MobilePro Docking Cradle.
-Special promotion with ARDIS adds wireless communications for e-mail, Internet, faxing and paging capability.
– NEC MobilePro 450 H/PC begins shipping by the end of this month.
NEC Computer Systems Division of Packard Bell NEC Inc. today announced the MobilePro 450 H/PC. The MobilePro 450 is a companion PC that supports Microsoft's Windows CE operating system platform and runs several Windows-based desktop PC applications.
"The generation for viable handheld computers is finally here, thanks to the partnering efforts of Microsoft and NEC CSD," said Jim Schwabe, senior vice president of NEC Computer Systems Division. "The combination of Microsoft Windows CE and NEC's MobilePro H/PC ergonomic design brings the user a lightweight, time-saving companion with mobile communication capabilities."
Wide-Array of Software to Maximize Productivity and Usability NEC's MobilePro 450 model weighs .8 lbs. including battery, and measures 6.89" W x 3.74" D x 1.03" H. The MobilePro H/PC offers a variety of business applications, personal productivity applications, and PIM software.
NEC Computer Systems Division aggressively pursued independent software vendors in order to identify the best software programs to enhance the MobilePro 450's feature set and increase productivity by adding capabilities.
The MobilePro 450 will ship a separate CD that offers the following software programs: MicroBurst Virtual Courier, Symantec PC ANYWHERE, Puma IntelliSync, BSQUARE bFAX and bPRINT, JetForm Filler Pro & Filler Central for Windows CE, CIC QuickNotes, and M-Systems.
To allow the exchange of data between the MobilePro H/PC and host system, NEC CSD will ship a Windows CE Manager software CD for installation on the desktop or notebook computer.
Models:
MobilePro 450 Base unit
Backlight Display, 480 x 240 grayscale resolution 8MB of ROM, 4MB of RAM, two AA batteries Software CD Free MobilePro Cradle — "docking" cradle for instant synchronization with workstation Free MobilePro AC Adapter Serial Cable Estimated Street Price of $ 499
MobilePro 400 Base unit
8MB of ROM, 4MB of RAM, two AA batteries Free MobilePro Cradle — "docking" cradle for instant synchronization with workstation Free MobilePro AC Adapter Serial Cable NEW Estimated Street Price of $ 399
MobilePro H/PC Superior Quality and Design During the development of the MobilePro, NEC ran extensive lab and field tests to overcome past limitations of small handheld devices. For example, the MobilePro keyboard was designed with true "usability" in mind.
It is compact, yet contains a full complement of keys and has specially tested tactile features giving it the look and feel familiar to PC and laptop users. The backlit screen will remain on until the user turns off the backlight on the unit.
NEC also considered the importance of portability to the mobile user and incorporate the NEC VR4101 CPU chip from NEC Electronics to boost the power and performance of the H/PC while saving critical battery life.
In addition to the battery management capability inherent in the NEC VR4101 and Microsoft Windows CE, NEC design teams made careful component selections for a battery-saving, highly-responsive touch screen. The MobilePro 450 has the best battery life of the handheld personal computers with a backlit screen.
Easy Connectivity in Home PC Transferring data from a NEC MobilePro H/PC to a notebook computer or a desktop PC requires a minimal learning curve, making it an ideal companion for any mobile professional. Instant synchronization occurs easily through a direct connect serial cable or cradle.
MobilePro Direct Connection is a serial cable that connects the unit to the workstation for information synchronization. The MobilePro Docking Cradle, which can reside at the homebase computer, also provides instant synching with the workstation, via the serial port.
A user may utilize the Mobile Direct Connection cable for convenience while traveling and the MobilePro Cradle when at homebase.
MobilePro 450 Options Unlike other handheld computers, the MobilePro 450 includes the new and improved Docking Cradle, a full-size cradle with a removable mini dock. This feature adds convenience and decreases the chance of breakage.
A full range of industry-standard options are available for the MobilePro 450. NEC CSD will offer a modem cable for increased connectivity and Nickel Metal Hydride batteries and charger for a rechargeable battery solution.
Special Promotion Offers Wireless Communications Through a partnership with ARDIS, the largest U.S. wireless network service provider, NEC CSD is offering a special wireless networking promotion that will give the NEC MobilePro H/PC users the freedom to work virtually anywhere.
The wireless promotional package includes a Motorola Personal Messenger 100D wireless modem card, IntegraNet Mobility Services software and access to the ARDIS wireless data network and when used with the NEC MobilePro H/PC.
Users may send and receive e-mail, browse the Internet, respond to faxes, send and receive pages, and be alerted via LED display or beeper to incoming messages. The Motorola PC card modem runs off its own 9-volt battery, complementing the battery power of the MobilePro H/PC.
About NEC Computer Systems Division NEC Computer Systems is a leading worldwide supplier of handheld, notebook and desktop computer systems and servers for the commercial and consumer markets. NEC Computer Systems is a division of Packard Bell, NEC Inc., one of the largest computer companies in the world.
Packard Bell NEC headquarters are in Sacramento, Calif. For more information about NEC CSD products, contact 800/NEC-VERSA or visit our website at www.nec-computers.com .
Note to Editors Photos of the NEC MobilePro H/PC are available by calling D.J. Anderson at 415/528-5306 or Mojgan Khalili at 415/528-5513.
NEC is a registered trademark of NEC Corporation. VR4101is a trademark NEC Electronics Inc. These trademarks are used under license by Packard Bell NEC Inc. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. All other notations of (TM) or (R) are trademarks of their respective firms.
CONTACT:
NEC Computers Systems Division
D.J. Anderson, 415/528-5306
[email protected]
Mojgan Khalili, 415/528-5513
[email protected]