Sony Preparing Ultra Small Portable PC (Updated)

Sony is going to release in Japan a PC small enough that it can almost be used as a handheld.

The Vaio VGN-U70 will be just 6.6 inches wide, 4.25 inches high, and 1.0 inch thick (16.7cm by 10.8cm by 2.6cm). It will weigh 19.4 ounces (550g). Sony is calling it the world's smallest full-function Windows PC.

This device will run Windows XP Pro. Although it will have a tablet shape and a touch screen, it won't use Microsoft's Tablet PC operating system. Instead, it will depend on Japanese character recognition software supplied by Sony.

The U70 will include an 800-by-600-pixel transflective color LCD. This will support both portrait and landscape modes. The screen can also operate at up to 1600 by 1200 pixels, but this probably isn't a native resolution.

This computer will use a 1 GHz Intel Pentium M processor. It will include 512 MB of memory and a 20 GB hard drive.

This Vaio will include built-in Wi-Fi (802.11g) wireless networking. It will have a USB 2.0 port, and slots for both CompactFlash and Memory Stick Pro cards.

It will ship with a cradle and a folding keyboard. It will also come with stereo earphones with a multimedia remote control.

According to Sony, the U70's Lithium Polymer battery will be able to keep it going for 2.5 hours. A optional extended battery will also be available.

The Vaio VGN-U70 will be released in Japan on May 29 for around 210,000 Yen. It isn't known if this computer will be available outside of Japan.

Update: Those in the U.S. wishing to buy a U70 can find it at Dynamism, which is now taking pre-orders at $2799.

Laptops that Act like Handhelds

There are several companies planning tiny PCs that blur the line between handheld computer and laptop computer.

One of these is Vulcan Inc.'s upcoming product, the FlipStart. This will be a clamshell device just slightly bigger than Sharp's Clamshell Zaurus line.

Another tiny PC in development is the uPC (ultra Personal Computer) from OQO. Both the uPC and the FlipStart will run Windows XP and include built-in keyboards.

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