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NEC unveiled Monday a new model in its Versa Pro notebook computer line-up and claimed a world first by fitting the machine with a QXGA (2,048 pixel by 1,536 pixel) resolution LCD panel.

With such a high resolution screen--four times the resolution of the standard XGA (1,024 pixel by 768 pixel) resolution found on most notebook computers--NEC is aiming the notebook at users that require the ability to do graphics, computer animation, and design or desktop publishing.

The screen is not just high-resolution but large as well, measuring 15 inches in diagonal size, which is the same size as low-end flat-panel desktop monitors. It is a step up from the 15-inch SVGA (1,600 pixel by 1,200 pixel) resolution display available on the previous top-of-the-line Versa Pro computer.

On the Inside

The computer is based on a 2-GHz version of Intel's Mobile Pentium 4 processor and is available through NEC's build-to-order program. A typical configuration, including 128MB of DDR SDRAM, ATI Technologies' Mobility Radeon 7500 graphics card, 20GB hard disk drive, 24X CD-ROM drive, and Windows XP Professional, costs $3,750.

It's not just your wallet that will feel the effects of such a large display. The machine is larger and heavier than most competing laptops, measuring 13 inches wide by 11 inches deep by 2 inches tall and weighing 8.4 pounds.

At the same time, NEC also released a lower specification machine, the Versa Pro R, with a lower resolution XGA 15-inch LCD panel and either a Mobile Celeron III or Mobile Pentium III processor. A typical configuration with a 1.06-GHz Mobile Celeron III processor and 128MB of conventional SDRAM, 20GB hard disk drive, 24X CD-ROM drive, and Windows XP Professional, costs $1,700.

NEC says it has no plans to put the machines on sale overseas.

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