JVC Unveils Notable Sub-Notebooks

Victor of Japan, better known as JVC, is giving its small-size mobile PC line-up a boost with the launch of two more powerful models based on the Windows XP operating system.

The company has been selling several machines under the InterLink CE name based on Microsoft's Windows CE operating system but the new machines, which carry the InterLink XP name, represent a step up in terms of computing pedigree and are much more competitive against Toshiba's Libretto and Sony's Vaio C1 sub-notebook computers, which were launched in May.

The new JVC machines are the MP-XP7120, based on an Intel Pentium III-M 800-MHz processor and Windows XP Professional Edition, and MP-XP3210, based on an Intel Mobile Celeron processor running at 650 MHz with Windows XP Home Edition.

To match the faster processor, the 7120 has 256MB of memory and a 30GB hard-disk drive against the 128MB of memory and 20GB hard-disk drive on the 3210.

Familiar Features

Otherwise, the machines are broadly similar. Each has an 8.9-inch widescreen polysilicon TFT LCD that can display 16.8 million colors and support 1,024 by 600 pixel resolution, a Sound Blaster Pro audio card, 2 USB 1.1 sockets, 1 i.Link (IEEE1394) connector, 1 Ethernet connector, 1 PC Card slot, and 1 Secure Digital memory card slot.

In terms of physical size, the machine measures 8.9 inches in width by 1.1 inches high by 5.9 inches deep and they weigh 1.7 pounds for the 3210 model and 1.9 pounds for the 7210 model.

Compared to the main competition from Toshiba and Sony, the JVC fares well in terms of size. It is narrower than both the Libretto and Vaio C1 and matches the depth of the C1. In terms of height, the machine is thicker than the Toshiba and Sony machines. Users will also find the InterLink XP's keyboard is smaller than the smaller than its competition.

The computers are expected to go on sale in Japan from late June and in Germany shortly afterwards. Sales in other areas, including the U.S. and Asia, are under consideration. In Japan, the 3210 is expected to cost around $1,291 and the 7210 is expected to retail for around $1,694.