NEC rolls out LaVie laptops with "face pass"

It looks like NEC is keeping all its bases covered today, backing up those water-cooled desktops with a range of new laptops boasting some less-than-common specs of their own. Likely to attract the most attention in that regard is the laptops' "face pass" feature, which makes use of the integrated 2.0 megapixel camera to ensure that only you (or someone that looks an awfully lot like you) can access the laptop. Otherwise, the laptops boast a range of fairly standard specs, including your choice of Core 2 Duo processors on the top-end LaVie C model or your choice of Core 2 Duo or Celeron processors on the LaVie L model. Both models also pack 15.4-inch displays, with a Blu-ray drive reserved for the very top-end laptop. Look for the whole lot to hit Japan later this month, with prices ranging from ¥150,000 to ¥310,000 (or about $1,300 to $2,675).

[hello @ Sep 3rd 2007 3:56PM]

CAN I HAVE ONE?

[Dan Schneider @ Sep 3rd 2007 4:01PM]

Looks good, but i never even had a fingerprint reader work right, now they expect a face scan? Retina FTW!

[RubberBinder @ Sep 3rd 2007 4:02PM]

looks awesome

[Z @ Sep 3rd 2007 4:03PM]

I wonder if someone can get in with a life-size HD photo of my face held infront of the webcam... =P

[nate @ Sep 3rd 2007 4:08PM]

useless? what happens if you need to use the computer and it's dark? or you took out your contacts and are wearing glasses? or someone gets a picture of your face? isn't a password just simpler and more effective?

[Hoyle @ Sep 3rd 2007 4:10PM]

Man, NEC makes the best stuff. I still use (periodically) an old laptop from a good 15 years ago.

[dan roed @ Sep 3rd 2007 4:10PM]

so what happens when its really dark?

[Oompa @ Sep 3rd 2007 4:13PM]

You use a flashlight or the light from the screen?

[Moktar @ Sep 3rd 2007 4:11PM]

That's pretty neat, but I'll stick with the fingerprint scanner built into my Toshiba. It would be nifty to try and crack this, though.

[NuMessiah @ Sep 3rd 2007 4:21PM]

Heh ;) Will it work with Linux installed?

[ethana2 @ Sep 3rd 2007 9:39PM]

All that face pass thing is is software. We can make our own. Then all you need is any laptop with a webcam. Make sure your hardware is supported, and be on the lookout for GNU face recognition software.

[Timothy Reilly @ Sep 3rd 2007 4:23PM]

Computers that watch us? Nonsense.

[ethana2 @ Sep 3rd 2007 9:40PM]

Heh. It's harder to get paranoid when you're a penguin.

[Josh G. @ Sep 3rd 2007 4:25PM]

Awesome, although my laptop already has a camera built in.

[albeit @ Sep 3rd 2007 4:29PM]

Can't wait for a haircut to lock me out of my comp for 2-3 months..

[ethana2 @ Sep 3rd 2007 9:41PM]

Just clear yourself before you get the haircut. Or have a password as backup.

[impei @ Sep 3rd 2007 5:09PM]

cool

[SimbaDogg @ Sep 3rd 2007 7:02PM]

no hd dvd drive? shooting yourself in the foot NEC if you want your format to thrive

[navamske @ Sep 3rd 2007 9:35PM]

Do they have one with voice recognition that you have to "say LaVie" to?

[Daniel Dahlhauser @ Sep 4th 2007 1:30AM]

Thats cool

[Savvas @ Sep 4th 2007 3:35PM]

I would use "face pass". Looking forward to it

[tim @ Sep 4th 2007 4:22PM]

sweet i want one