IBM has begun shipping a ThinkPad that looks like it really deserves to be called a notebook.
The Armonk, N.Y., companys ThinkPad TransNote opens like a book, portfolio-style, with the right and left sides serving separate functions. On the inside left is a Windows-based computer with a pivoting 10.4-inch touch-screen that includes a keyboard with full-size keys.
On the right is the digital notepad, with which the user can use a digital pen to write up to 50 pages of notes that are automatically saved to the computer—even if the PC is turned off—because it includes 2MB of Flash memory. The Ink Manager Pro software lets users save notes and insert them into Microsoft Corp. Word documents and e-mail messages.
The notebook—1.3 inches thick and weighing less than 5.5 pounds—is available as left-handed models. The TransNote runs an Intel Corp. 600MHz Pentium III processor and includes either Windows 98SE or Windows 2000 Professional. It has integrated Ethernet and a 56K-bps modem, two Universal Serial Bus ports, a video port, a port replicator port, and PC Card and CompactFlash slots.
Available now, the book costs $2,999 with Windows 98 and $3,099 with Windows 2000.