The Casio Fiva MPC-206E has been officially launched in the US and will be in
stores by the end of this month for about $2000USD. The Fiva MPC-206E is based
on the TM5600 Crusoe processor and features a dual operating system which has
garnered the notebook extra attention from Linux and Windows fans alike.
A Windows Me operating systems comes loaded standard on the
2.1lb sub-notebook. By the flick of an A/B mode switch the MPC206E
will switch from Windows Me to a limited Linux operating system. The Linux OS
allows the device to operate an MP3 player and FTP client.without the
hefty boot time associated with the Windows OS.
Battery life sits at nine hours, and the very tiny 600Mhz sub-notebook
sports a 8.4 TFT display. 128MB comes standard along with built-in speakers, a
20BG hard drive, Ethernet, modem, and three programmable keys.
We were able to take a look at the Casio Fiva some time
ago for a few minutes and were amazed by its small size and unique features. When operating with Long Run Active Power Control enabled,
the notebook can cycle back and forth between 300Mhz and 600Mhz to conserve
energy - a key factor in its 9-hour battery life capabilities. At the
time we unable to see the differences in the Windows OS vs. Linux
OS applications.
Specifications: Casio MPC-206E |
Operating System: |
Microsoft Windows Millennium |
Processor: |
Crusoe TM-5600 (600 MHz) |
Memory: |
128 MB (64MB on board + 64 MB SO-DIMM), 16MB used by
CMS. Optional 128 MB (max memory size 192MB). |
Display: |
8.4" TFT color LCD SVGA (800 x 600 dots) |
Resolution: |
640 x 480, 65,536 colors, 800 x 600, 65,536 colors, 1024 x 768 |
Video Chip: |
SMI Lynx EM+ (built-in video memory 2 MB) |
Keyboard: |
80 keys 16mm pitch/1.5mm stroke |
Pointing Device: |
Stick type with three buttons |
Application Buttons: |
3 x programmable (default, Mail, Internet Explorer, Notepad) |
Storage (HDD): |
20 GB |
Storage (FDD): |
Optional. 3.5-inch FD (MPC-240FDD) connected to USB port |
USB port: |
One |
PC card slot: |
Type II slot (Card Bus compatible) 3.3V/5.0V |
CF card slot: |
Type II slot, 3.3V/5.0V |
Modem port: |
Built-in v.90/K56 Flex 56 KBPS software modem (RJ11) |
LAN Port: |
RJ45 connector (100BASE-TX / 10BASE-T) |
Headphone: |
Stereo headphone |
Microphone: |
Microphone |
Video port: |
RGB (via dedicated CASIO cable) |
Firewire port: |
IEEE1394: 4-pin firewire |
Audio Source: |
AC-Link connected sound chip (16-bit stereo PCM) |
Sound Microphone: |
Built-in monaural microphone |
Speaker: |
Built-in monaural speaker |
Security: |
Power-on password |
Power: Battery: |
Lithium-Ion battery (3 cells) |
AC adaptor
Output: |
16VDC/45W, Input: 100ACV to 240VAC 1.2A to 0.7A, 50/60Hz |
Operating temperature: |
5 to 35C |
Operating humidity: |
30 to 80%RH (no condensation) |
Weight: |
2.13 lbs |
Dimensions: |
9 1/16 x 7 7/7 x 7/8 |
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