Have you been thinking about getting one of the new FlipStart PCs? If so, then you’ll be glad to hear that they are now taking orders.

I didn’t realize that there was a front display until I saw this picture

Here is the 411 for those of you that haven’t heard about it or are still undecided…

Product Specifications

Processor
1.1 GHz Intel® Pentium® M Processor Ultra-Low Voltage

Graphics
Intel® Enhanced Graphics processor

Hard drive
30 GB (shock-mounted)

Memory
RAM: 512 MB DDR2

Operating systems
Windows® XP Professional
Windows Vista™ Business

Dimensions
Size:
5.9” x 4.5” x 1.35” with slimline battery
5.9” x 4.5” x 1.6” with standard high-capacity battery

Weight:
1.5 lbs. with slimline Battery
1.75 lbs. with standard high-capacity battery

Inputs
Backlit QWERTY keyboard
Mouse buttons
Touchpad
Touchstick
Jog dial

Display
Size: 5.6”
Resolution: 1024 x 600 wide SVGA

External Display
Size: 1.8”
Resolution: 220 x 176

Connectivity
Sprint® Mobile Broadband Ready
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
Bluetooth® wireless technology

Audio
3.5-mm stereo headphone
Dual built-in microphones
Built-in speaker

Camera
Internal VGA camera

Lithium polymer battery life (depending on usage)
Standard high-capacity: 3–6 hours
Slimline: 1–3 hours

Ports
USB 2.0
Power input
Port replicator connector

Port replicator
VGA output
Audio line output
10/100 Ethernet port
Two USB 2.0 ports
Power input

The FlipStart comes with the following:

FlipStart 1.0 with Intel® Pentium® M Processor, 30-GB hard drive, QWERTY keyboard and SVGA display
Built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth® wireless technology and Sprint® Mobile Broadband Ready
Port replicator for desktop connections
Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional or Windows Vista™ Business
High-capacity lithium polymer battery
Stereo earbuds/microphone headset
AC adapter
Screen polishing cloth
Soft carrying case
User documentation

Thank goodness they didn’t release it two days ago.

April 3, 2007 — Seattle, WA — Today FlipStart Labs announced that it has begun shipping the FlipStart^® super compact PC.  Now available for purchase at www.flipstart.com, FlipStart was announced previously as the only compact PC (under two pounds) that coalesces everything mobile professionals expect from their laptops — full Windows^® application usage, communications, entertainment and constant connectivity — in a convenient clamshell design. (See FlipStart Labs Unveils the First Super Compact Personal Computer Designed for Usability. March 7, 2007.) “When people get their hands on the FlipStart device, they just get it. It has a remarkably innovative design that makes it the most usable compact PC on the market,” said Dr. Gerry Purdy, Ph.D., vice president and chief analyst, Mobile and Wireless at Frost and Sullivan, a world leader in helping companies achieve growth. “FlipStart’s intuitive design and pioneering features combined make it the perfect mobile solution for professionals on the go.” 

FlipStart began shipping first products to customers today. The company has been taking pre-sales reservations since the product announcement on March 7, 2007 and is currently taking orders at www.flipstart.com. FlipStart is $1,999 which includes a high-capacity battery, port replicator, stereo earbuds/microphone and carrying case. 

“The shipment of FlipStart is a great milestone in achieving our vision for improving productivity and connected-ness for mobile professionals,” said Robin Budd, senior director for FlipStart Labs. “The innovations in design and usability, combined with the power of the Intel^® processor give people the ability to work and play just about anywhere they are. We’ve had such remarkable, sustained interest in the product we’re excited to deliver it to our customers.” Proven to Work for Mobile Professionals FlipStart Labs conducted extensive research with mobile professionals to determine what they need in a portable device. Although laptops, cell phones and PDAs have improved mobile productivity, research indicated that a gap still exists for mobile users. According to this research, there is strong need for a highly usable PC with the functionality of a home or office workstation that is small enough to tuck into a bag. Research also indicated that, above all else, people want a device that is easy for them to use whether they are sitting, standing or traveling. Independent research reveals that people’s typing speeds on FlipStart are 16 to 26% faster and accuracy is 40 to 45% better than on similar products by competitors. 

Early reviews of FlipStart have applauded the innovative, user-driven features that deliver the flexibility and productivity highly-mobile users need, including: 

• Properly balanced design for two-handed use sitting or standing  
  
• Intuitive, natural form factor; virtually no learning curve in using the device  
  
• Well-executed 9-level zoom feature  
  
• Right-sized port replicator allows user to stash it in a carry-on or purse, yet connect instantly to a full-sized keyboard and monitor  
  
• Comfortable, familiar keyboard that can be used for thumb or touch typing  
  
• Dedicated keys, especially the ctl+alt+del button  
  
• Easy navigation using either the touchpad or touchstick  
  
• External window to check e-mail, contacts, calendar without opening lid  
  
• Intel^® Pentium^® M processor  
  
• Multiple connectivity choices, including EV-DO Rev A for faster broadband  
  
• Embedded Bluetooth^® wireless technology that allows connection to peripherals such as a mouse, keyboard, stereo headset, etc.  
  
• Full Windows experience in a truly mobile form factor  

Pricing and Availability FlipStart sells for $1,999. and is available for purchase at www.flipstart.com. A variety of accessories are also available for purchase. About FlipStart Labs  

FlipStart is the first commercial product offering from FlipStart Labs, a technology incubator created to evolve mobile personal computer technologies. Founded by Microsoft co-founder, Paul G. Allen, FlipStart Labs is leading the way to the future of personal computing technology through extensive customer research and the drive to create innovative technology products. FlipStart Labs is dedicated to creating revolutionary devices that enable effortless, uncompromised mobile computing. For more information about FlipStart, please visit www.flipstart.com.