HP Readies EvDO Notebook

LAS VEGAS -- Hewlett-Packard plans to unveil a business notebook Thursday with an embedded chip that allows users to connect to Verizon Wireless's EvDO (Evolution Data Only, or Evolution Data Optimized) network in the United States, part of a new trend toward built-in wide-area networking capability in PCs.

The company will unveil the HP Compaq nc6140 on Thursday during an event at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show here with executives from HP and Verizon, says Eric Brennan, director of business solutions for HP's personal systems group. HP joins fellow PC makers Dell and Lenovo Group in embracing cellular networks as an alternative for business users tired of searching for a Wi-Fi hotspot or an ethernet cable.

Dell has announced plans to embed EvDO and HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) chips into its notebooks, and Lenovo announced an HSDPA notebook Wednesday at CES in partnership with U.S. carrier Cingular Wireless. The idea is to give business users the ability to access the Internet from any place where they can get a mobile phone signal, Brennan says.

Verizon's EvDO network provides download speeds between 400 kilobits per second and 700 kbps depending on conditions, the companies say in a press release. HSDPA networks offer similar speeds.

The nc6140 is available immediately on HP's Web site. It costs $1399 with Intel's Pentium M 750 processor, a 15-inch display, a 40GB hard drive, 512MB of memory, a DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive, and integrated 802.11g/a Wi-Fi wireless in addition to the EvDO chip. Monthly plans to access Verizon's network cost $60 for unlimited data access if you're a voice customer, and $80 if you're not.

Company executives are expected to provide additional information about the new notebook and the partnership between the companies later on Thursday at the joint event.

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