IBM Corp has become the first handheld maker to offer both Windows CE and Palm Computing-based devices. It will launch the CE-based Workpad z50 this week. The new box is described as part of the PC Companion range, which also features two machines based on the Palm OS. IBM claims that the larger CE device offers more battery-life and a more usable keyboard than its Palm-based models.
Mario Brandao, EMEA product launch integrator and product manager, said that the z50 is aimed at corporate buyers. It runs Windows CE PC Pro Edition and has the Microsoft ‘Pocket’ Office CE suite. IBM has included Mobile Client Connect software, which allows the user to access and synchronize with Lotus Notes and Microsoft Exchange on their corporate network. With Microsoft RDP software or the Citrix ICA client, the z50 can also be used as a mobile thin client terminal, running desktop applications from enterprise servers.
The z50 is based around an NEC Corp 131MHz MIPS processor. It has 16Mb of RAM, upgradable to 48Mb, and a published battery life of eight hours which doubles with the optional battery pack. The Workpad weighs 2.66lbs and is one inch thick. The machine will initially be available in the US only at a cost of $999.
