Sharp announces first wide-screen format notebook PCs

Business Wire, Sept 17, 1996

MAHWAH, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 17, 1996--

-- Super Light, Compact models Offer a 16:9

"Theater-Proportioned" LCD Screen

-- New Wide-Format LCD Allows Users to View Two Web Pages or

Applications Simultaneously

-- High-Performance Notebook PCs Feature Intel Pentium(R) 133

MHz Processor, 28.8 Fax Modem, 1.08 GByte Hard Drive, 16

MBytes of EDO RAM Upgradable to 32 MBytes, 64-Bit PCI bus

Architecture, 16-Bit Stereo Sound Card, Lithium-Ion Battery,

Two PC Card Slots and Internet Access Software Applications

-- New Sharp LCD Technology Delivers 50 Percent Brighter Image

Sharp Electronics Corp. launches WideNote(TM), the industry's first wide-screen format notebook computer line. These new notebook computers feature an ultra-compact design that offer LCDs with the same 16:9 aspect ratio found in movie-theater screens, along with high-performance communications and computing capabilities.

The WideNote line includes an active matrix-display model, the W-100T, and a dual scan display version, the W-100D. In a 4.6 pound package with a footprint smaller than a standard letter-sized pad, WideNote is easy to carry. WideNote features a high-resolution SVGA-quality (1024x600) LCD that allows users to view two Web pages or two Microsoft Windows(R) applications simultaneously, with minimal side-to-side scrolling when viewing landscape-mode applications, such as spreadsheets.

"WideNet is a significant refinement in notebook PC design," says Howard Shoobe, Senior Product Manager at Sharp's Computer Products Division. "It gives mobile computer users the ultimate in communications, performance and connectivity in a sleek, highly ergonomic package with an easy-to-read screen. This innovative product heralds Sharp's strategic direction toward becoming a major supplier in the U.S. notebook PC business."

User Benefits of A Compact Design With A Wide Format Display

WideNote's compact design and its wide-screen format LCD provide a variety of user benefits:

-- a lower profile that is easier for business travelers to use on

airplanes or in other cramped quarters;

-- the ability to take full advantage of multitasking features

in Microsoft Windows 95(TM);

-- less side-to-side scrolling to view applications that run in

landscape mode, such as spreadsheets;

-- the ability to display a standard-sized text document at full

width, with extra space remaining for a graphics pasteboard

or an E-mail window;

-- a smaller, lighter notebook PC that still offers practical

video conferencing and whiteboarding capabilities; and

-- a full-sized Windows 95 keyboard.

Display Breakthroughs

The WideNote W-100T's active-matrix LCD is 50 percent brighter than TFT displays on typical notebook PCs. The Wide Note W-100D features Sharp Addressing(TM), a new dual-scan LCD technology that provides high-definition, high-quality images free of shadows caused by waveform distortion. This type of distortion is common in dual-scan screens that offer a wider viewing angle.

An Aurora 64V+ graphics and video accelerator with DuoView(R) technology from S3 Inc., Santa Clara, Calif., allows WideNote to display identical or different images simultaneously on the built-in LCD and an external monitor running at different resolutions. The S3 technology provides new capabilities, such as the ability to display a presentation on an external monitor while viewing speech notes on WideNote's built-in LCD.

Infrared Connectivity

Both WideNote units include the new integrated 4 MBit infrared port that is 35 times faster than the previous 115-Kbps IR communications standard. Infrared connectivity allows users to wirelessly exchange data with local area networks (LANs), PDAs, printers, PCs and digital cameras.

Preloaded with Puma Technology TranXit(R) for Windows, IntelliLink Import/Export(R) and Zaurus Application Partner(R) software, WideNote users can easily transfer files without cables to other IR port equipped notebooks, handheld PDAs such as Sharp's Zaurus(TM), desktop PCs and even printers.

Infrared is fast becoming the industry standard as wireless communications become more prominent. A pioneer in the development of infrared technology, Sharp is committed to integrating infrared into many of its business products so that mobile users can avoid the inconvenience of toting cables to ensure connectivity.

Robust Communications Capabilities

Both WideNote models come with an integrated 28.8 voice/data/fax modem, Netscape Navigator(R) and Microsoft Internet Explorer(R) web browsers, and America Online(R), CompuServe(R) online services access software. Both models also feature Pacific Image Communications Super Voice 2.0 for Windows voicemail and fax/data-management software.

High-Performance Features

Both WideNote units include a 133 MHz Intel Pentium(R) processor, 1.1 GBytes of hard disk space, 16 MBytes of EDO RAM upgradable to 32 MBytes, 64-Bit PCI bus architecture, 16-Bit stereo sound card, a track pad cursor pointing device, lithium-ion battery, and two Type II or one Type III PC Card slot(s). Both units also come standard with an external floppy drive.