For a feast of all the latest notebook technology available in SA, visitors to Computer Faire 2003 should make their way to the Notebook Village where the fastest, biggest, most connected and smallest will be on display.
The 25th Computer Faire takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre from 13 to 16 May, and the notebook village - featuring SA`s leading suppliers of mobile PCs - is certain to attract considerable attention.
Apple Computer, for example, will showcase what it says is the largest notebook ever - the world first 17-inch PowerBook G4s - also billed as the most powerful Apple portable ever with a 1GHz PowerPC G4 processor and new high-speed architecture.
But what`s certain to delight users is the big-screen viewing (despite being barely 3cm thick and weighing in at just 3kg), and the unit`s amazing connectivity options. It is one of the first notebooks to offer built-in AirPort Extreme 54Mbps 802.11g wireless networking, new high-speed FireWire 800 and built-in Bluetooth for wireless connection to Bluetooth peripherals.
Encased in a durable aluminium alloy enclosure, the new PowerBook G4 also comes with a backlit keyboard with ambient light sensors.
The 17-inch PowerBook also features fast Nvidia graphics and a slot-loading SuperDrive for playing and burning CDs and DVDs.
While the 17-inch PowerBook G4 is undoubtedly a desktop replacement option, Apple will also introduce a unit for users-on-the-move. This is its smallest notebook ever - the new, 2kg, 12-inch PowerBook G4 with a brilliant active-matrix display housed in a lightweight, durable aluminium alloy enclosure.
The sleek new 12-inch PowerBook G4 offers a speedy 867MHz PowerPC G4 processor, fast Nvidia graphics, a standard slot-loading Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) optical drive, built-in Bluetooth, and industry-leading battery life of up to five hours on a single charge.
The standard slot-loading Combo optical drive lets users watch DVDs and burn both data and music CDs.
African Gateway Connection, the official African distributor for Eurocom and Motion Computing Tablet PC products, will exhibit the latest ranges from these vendors at the faire.
This includes Eurocom`s recently introduced desktop replacement model: an upgraded version of the super fast and super powerful notebook, the Eurocom 888E Dream Machine. This unit boasts a 16.1-inch UXGA display, 128MB DDR video ATI Radeon Mobility 9000, and an Intel Pentium 4 3.06GHz processor with hyper-threading technology.
Mobility Radeon 9000 delivers the fastest 3D graphics supporting the latest games, cinematic-quality video, and features that dramatically enhance all aspects of the visual experience in every application.
A perfect solution for professional users, the new 888ES model is said to provide some of the most advanced and visually stunning 3D performance figures for notebooks in the industry.
Also on the African Gateway Connection stand will be the full range of Eurocom products, including the new Milano with Intel Centrino processor, 17-inch LCD all-in-one PC, and the new Road Warrior.
On the Motion Computing product side, African Gateway Connection will display the popular Motion 1200 Tablet PC.
Mustek Electronics has launched a new slim (2.5cm thick) Pentium 4 notebook, the Mercer N243S1. The lightweight N243S1 has been designed for convenience and, with its 400MHz processor, performance and speed.
The N243S1 has a 14.1-inch TFT display and support for 512MB DDR RAM. Standard features include a 24X CD-ROM drive upgradeable to DVD or CDRW/DVD combo drive. Integrated LAN and fax modem and a built in PCMCIA card slot for further expansion.
Extra advanced features include three USB ports, IEEE 1394 and S-Video TV out for home theatre systems.
Also on display will be the Mecer M288+ notebook computer which incorporates Intel`s Mobile Pentium 4 Processor-M technology. The M288+ notebook boasts desktop performance with power management and wireless support features, providing the best balance of performance, low power operation and extended battery life when working on conventional desktop applications.
Maximum performance is provided when multi-tasking between processor-intensive applications, such as MP3s, digital photography, DVDs and wireless gaming from the Internet. The Mecer M288+ comes standard with an optional 14.1-inch or 15-inch TFT LCD display, 128MB RAM upgradeable to 1024MB, as well as a 20GB hard drive, upgradeable to 60GB.
The Mecer M288+ also comes standard with a CD-ROM that can be upgraded to a DVD-ROM or DVD/CD-RW drive, offering an incredible amount of storage space. In addition, the M288+ features a Sound Blaster Full Duplex sound card, as well as a built-in microphone and speakers.
Other participants in the Computer Faire Notebook Village include Accelcomm, IBM, Obsidian and HP. In addition to its current top-selling notebooks, HP will unveil a host of new generation models as well as units featuring its latest wireless and handheld technology.
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