NEC's
MobilePro P300 Pocket PC
BY TOM KEATING
While attending Planet PDA to learn the latest on
mobile applications for the enterprise, I was astonished to see NEC
demonstrating their own Pocket PC during one of the keynotes. I
wondered to myself how it was possible that I didn't know about NEC's
Pocket PC.
To get to the bottom of this very interesting
revelation, I stopped by NEC's booth. I inquired about their Pocket PC
and asked why I had never heard about it. Much to my relief, they
responded that it hadn't been officially announced yet. (Phew, I was
starting to think that my journalistic skills were getting rusty.) I
then had NEC give me a comprehensive demo. Reasonably priced at $599,
I was also very impressed with the feature-set of NEC's MobilePro P300
Pocket PC, which I'll list later in this column. One of the first
things I noticed when I held the MobilePro in my hand was how light
and thin it was -- less than 7 ounces and just about 3/4" thick.
Interestingly, this Pocket PC was designed from the
ground up to be targeted at the corporate enterprise or corporate
user. For instance, the MobilePro P300 ships with NEC's MobilePro
Synchronization System for data management and recovery. Now, this is
no ordinary synchronization software. Anytime a user synchronizes with
the "home base" server, several bits of information are
passed back and forth, including any software apps the user installed,
files modified/changed/added, memory usage, and even the remaining
battery time! Thus, an IT manager can now manage all the corporate
MobilePro Pocket PCs from a centralized location, which certainly is a
critical component.
Another indication of their drive for the
enterprise, NEC is offering an interesting warranty policy called
UltraCare. This service includes Rapid Exchange that allows customers
to receive a replacement unit the next business day. They'll even
cross-ship. As someone who has experienced a hardware failure on a
particular Pocket PC (which shall remain nameless), I had to wait two
weeks for a replacement.
NEC also demonstrated an interesting backup/restore
feature that is part of the synchronization process. We all know that
user error results in accidentally erased files. To restore
accidentally erased files usually requires a call to the IT manager to
restore the files from a backup. NEC has developed a solution to allow
users to perform "self help" and restore the files
themselves. As a demonstration, NEC deleted two files from their
MobilePro P300 and then was able to quickly restore these two files in
less than 60 seconds.
The specifications include the popular StrongArm
206Mhz processor, a reflective color 3.8" QVGA TFT display with
65,000 colors and 320x240 resolution. The unit includes an integrated
CompactFlash Type II and Secure Digital (SD) expansion slots. I should
point out that although the newer Compaq iPAQ series also have an
embedded SD slot, the current line of iPAQs still requires an optional
(and bulky) expansion pack sled for connecting CompactFlash cards.
Thus, the NEC certainly has a competitive advantage over the very
popular iPAQ series. In any event, an optional PC Card Expansion
Jacket for use with PCMCIA cards and includes an embedded rechargeable
battery so you don't drain the main battery. Other specifications
include 64MB of memory, which actually is split into 32MB built-in RAM
and a removable 32MB SD memory card, which of course can be upgraded
to a larger SD card, such as a 128MB SD card.
Third party applications included on the 32MB SD
card include Westtek's ClearVue viewers for presenting Microsoft
PowerPoint and Excel applications, Arcsoft's PhotoBase for display and
management of digital photos, and Voice Messenger Force by Ruksun for
VoIP-enhanced instant messaging. Of course, enterprises can customize
the applications included on this SD card for easy deployment of
business applications.
Another interesting feature of the MobilePro P300 is
that it includes both a powered USB Host interface as well as a
standard USB client port. One final feature of note is that in
addition to being able to recharge the unit via the cradle, you can
also connect the AC adaptor directly to the unit. This allows you to
power the unit without having to take the cradle with you on the road.
Other features include:
- Four customizable application buttons
- IrDA port
- Stereo speaker
- Microphone
- Audio in/out
- USB and serial synchronization cradle
NEC's entry in the Pocket PC arena bodes well for
consumers. The more manufacturers offering Pocket PCs means more
competition, more choices, and better prices for consumers. I saw some
other interesting products at Planet PDA, including some interesting
PDA security products, Avaya's VoIP "soft phone" application
for Pocket PCs, and several enterprise PDA products. Tune in tomorrow
for more specifics, assuming I can stay away from the blackjack
tables.
