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Sharp's prototype of the next machine in its line of Zaurus handheld computers was on show at World PC Expo in Tokyo on Wednesday, its second public appearance in as many weeks, and visitors to the show got to see a new side to the device.

The machine was first unveiled two weeks ago at the Ceatec 2002 exhibition, which took place just outside of Tokyo and where Sharp, of Osaka, Japan, said it was a model of what the company expects will be the next in its line of Zaurus handheld computers before the end of this year.

It is based on the Linux operating system, like previous models, and includes a VGA resolution (640 pixel by 480 pixel) screen.

Folding Format

One of the most striking differences between the machine and current PDAs was a new design, which included a folding case with landscape display on the upper half and a keyboard on the lower half. This made it look much more like a shrunken notebook than a PDA, although Sharp is demonstrating at World PC Expo that it can be used in a similar manner to existing PDAs.

The screen can be swiveled back so that the PDA ends up folded shut but with the screen facing outwards. In this configuration, the keyboard becomes useless and the user needs to turn the device through 90 degrees to see the screen in a portrait format, the way most PDAs are viewed.

This design is becoming increasingly popular among makers of portable computers because it allows them to offer form factors resembling both PDAs, where the majority of input is pen-based, and notebook computers, where a keyboard can also be used.

Devices on Display

Other devices at World PC Expo sporting the design included prototype Tablet PCs from Acer and Toshiba.

Sony and Samsung Electronics have commercialized PDAs and cellular telephone handsets that feature screens that can be turned around to face outwards when the case is closed.

Sharp had no other updates to offer on availability, features or price.

World PC Expo, Japan's largest PC exhibition, runs from October 16 to 19 at Tokyo Big Sight.