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Sharp quits the PC business reminding us that Sharp still makes PCs
It's no secret that Japanese consumer electronics companies are having a tough time competing right now (damn Yen). Now Sharp becomes the latest casualty with the announcement that it will exit the cut-throat personal computer business to focus on market segments where it can be profitable. You know, like tablets, where Sharp hopes to have more success with its new Galapagos and related e-book, music, and video services.
Video: Sharp's Mebius NJ70A unboxing
We've seen a bit of Sharp's Mebius netbook around here -- and most of our attention has been focused on that LCD trackpad (a 4-inch optical-touchscreen) -- but now it's been unboxed on video for all to wonder at. This 1.6GHZ Intel Atom N270-boasting baby has a 10.1-inch display (1,024 x 600), 1GB of RAM, a 160GB HDD, three USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and a multicard reader, and it runs somewhere in the realm of ¥80,000 (about $837). Video unboxing after the break -- and hit the read link for a photo gallery.[Via SlashGear]
Sharp Mebius NJ70A import now up for pre-order at Dynamism, LCD trackpad in tow
If the recent footage of Sharp's Mebius NJ70A and its LCD multitouch trackpad has gotten you hot, bothered, and reaching for your wallet, Dynamism is now taking pre-orders for the Japanese import netbook. The 4-inch touchscreen notwithstanding, you're looking at a 1.6GHz Intel Atom machine and the usual, ho-hum specs that go along with it -- not an easy pill to swallow when you're staring down a $999 price tag. Ship date is June 5th, and you might want to take that time to brush up on your skills with a Japanese International Layout keyboard if you're seriously considering the purchase.
Video: Sharp's Mebius LCD trackpad
Akihabara News was on-site for the unveiling of Sharp's Mebius netbook with combo LCD display and trackpad. Fortunately, they did the world a favor and snagged video (posted after the break) of the 854 x 480 pixel LCD in action. Sure, the icons and apps demonstrated are all a bit lame but the idea of repurposing that 4-inch space for a dual-purpose trackpad and secondary display / widget panel is killer. This friends, this is the future.
Sharp's Mebius PC-NJ70A packs LCD trackpad for the whiz-bang crowd
And you thought Apple's button-less "glass trackpad" was hot stuff. Sharp has just let loose details on its thoroughly Japanese Mebius PC-NJ70A, which sadly packs an exceptionally boring list of internal components but manages to stay interesting with a decidedly unorthodox trackpad. As you can see in the image above, Sharp has actually tossed an 854 x 480 resolution LCD right onto the palm rest, which automatically adjusts brightness based on surrounding light and can likely act as a secondary display for things like adjusting an equalizer with your digits. Beyond that, the netbook is downright drab, sporting just a 10.1-inch display (1,024 x 600), 1.6GHz Atom N270 processor, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB HDD, three USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and a multicard reader. There's no set price as of yet, but word on the street puts it right around ¥80,000 ($817). Glamor shot after the break.
Sharp intros AMD-powered Mebius FW laptops
At first glance, Sharp's blindingly white PC-FW50X reminds us a lot of the PC-CW50T, but thankfully, the innards have improved somewhat since last summer. Packed within the aforesaid machine (¥150,000; $1,467) is a 15.4-inch WXGA (1,280 x 800) panel, 2GHz Mobile Sempron 3600+ processor, 2GB of RAM, a 120GB hard drive, dual-layer DVD burner, PCMCIA slot, four USB 2.0 ports and a 4-pin FireWire connector for good measure. Additionally, you'll find 802.11b/g WiFi, Ethernet, a multicard reader, VGA output and a rechargeable Li-ion. Those fond of darker hues can opt for the PC-FW70X (shown after the jump), which looks to pack a 1.9GHz Turion 64 X2 TL-58 CPU, start at ¥165,000 ($1,613) and ship right alongside its brother in late April.[Via Impress]
Sharp intros AMD-powered Mebius laptops
Right on schedule, Sharp is updating its Mebius laptop line once again, and this time its AMD getting all the love. The 15.4-inch trio of machines include Windows Vista, a WXGA panel, ATI's Radeon Xpress 1100 graphics set, between 1GB and 2GB of RAM, a 120GB SATA drive, dual-layer DVD writer, Ethernet, WiFi, PCMCIA, SD / xD card slots, VGA out, audio in / out, four USB 2.0 sockets, and a 4-pin FireWire connector. On the low-end, the Sempron 3400+ powered PC-WE40V will ring up at ¥130,000 ($1,147), while the mid-range PC-WE50V gets the same CPU as well as Office 2007 for ¥150,000 ($1,324). The PC-WT70V, however, gets blessed with a Turion 64 X2 TL-52 and goes for ¥180,000 ($1,589).[Via Impress]
Sharp's uber-white 14.1-inch Mebius PC-CW50T laptop
With all the Santa Rosa lovin' that's been going on of late, it's easy to overlook the AMD-powered bunch, but Sharp's latest Mebius shuns the more popular Intel chip and relies on a 1.6GHz Sempron 3400+ CPU instead. Additionally, this 14.1-inch machine sports a WXGA panel, up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM, ATI's Radeon Xpress 1100 graphics set, an 80GB hard drive, 802.11b/g WiFi, and a dual-layer DVD burner. Around the edges you'll find four USB 2.0 ports, a 4-pin FireWire connector, PC Card slot, SD card slot, Ethernet, audio in / out, and a VGA output. Unfortunately, it sounds like you may be disappointed in the paltry 1.3-hours of battery life that the Li-ion reportedly provides, but at least you've got more than a few alternatives to run to for ¥150,000 ($1,228).[Via AkihabaraNews]
Sharp updates Mebius lineup, adds Vista
NEC isn't the only game in town updating its laptop line with Vista pre-installed, as Sharp is revamping its long-standing Mebius lineup to include Microsoft's forthcoming OS as well as a few new pieces of hardware to boot. The 15.4-inch PC-WT70S houses a 1.6GHz AMD Turion 64 X2 processor, 1,280 x 800 resolution, up to 2GB of RAM, 100GB hard drive, ATI Radeon Xpress 1100 graphics chipset, dual-layer DVD burner, PCMCIA, four USB 2.0 ports, FireWire, SD / xD card slots, 802.11b/g, Ethernet, audio in / out, VGA out, and a paltry 1.2-hours of rated battery life. The lower-spec'd PC-WE40S features most of the same kit as its bigger brother, but swaps in an AMD Mobile Sempron 3200+ CPU, 512MB of RAM, an 80GB hard drive, and promises an equally appalling 1.3-hours of longevity. Lastly, the 14.1-inch PC-CH40S (pictured after the break) retains most of the above components, but utilizes a 1,024 x 768 resolution on its marginally smaller screen, and manages to squeeze 2.5-hours out of its Li-ion battery. All three units should be ready to rock the day Windows Vista lands later this month, and while the PC-WT70S will start around ¥170,000 ($1,411), both the PC-CH40S and PC-WE40S will demand ¥150,000 ($1,245) apiece.[Via Impress]
Sharp's Mebius PC-AE50M for the unwashed
What's this, today Sharp announced a single new computer!? Not the 40-plus from Sony, or 26 from NEC, or even paltry 5-and-change from Toshiba, just one, the Mebius PC-AE50M. Not only are they bucking the shotgun announcement trend engulfing us, the new Mebius also loads-up a non-Core Duo, 1.80GHz AMD Sempron 3000 . Whoa Sharp, you go cowboy. The 2.8-kg Mebius PC-AE50M (that name just rolls, eh?) can bring up to 1.5GB of RAM and 60GB of disk and features a 15-inch, 1024 x 768 LCD, 802.11b/g WiFi, CD-R/RW & DVD-ROM drive, and UV radiation coating to keep palm-gunk from polluting the case. Rejoice o ye defiled brethren, rejoice!
