High-power handheld unveiled at Comdex

National Semiconductor demonstrates concept PDA

As part of its annual tradition of showing off concept products at Comdex, National Semiconductor has demonstrated a handheld device with much of the power of a PC.

The Geode Extended Office (GXO) measures 18.5cm by 14.7cm by 2.3cm and weighs 680g. It is designed as a mobile computer that doesn't compromise on battery life or specifications.

It features a 10GB Toshiba hard drive and specially designed 266MHz SC2200 Geode processor that runs Windows XP and displays via a 6.3in 1024 x 768 colour TFT screen. There's no fan and the unit relies on its aluminium shell to dissipate heat.

Wireless networking and Bluetooth are included, and the battery life will give at least three hours use with all connections turned on.

The GXO has a camera built into the unit, and thin client applications from Citrix allow video conferencing. It also has twin stereo speakers and a microphone.

"It runs at its best as a thin client," said Stephanie Tischler, strategic alliance manager at National Semiconductor.

"That said, we've built in capability to allow it to be managed as a standalone unit. It's a conceptual product but if it was to go on sale the price point would be about $700."

The device charges in a special cradle and can be used with a folding keyboard for data input, although it is primarily designed for stylus use.

Previous concept products include the web tablet three years ago and the Origami fold-up PDA last year.