Procurement Scotland have negotiated a good price on the Toshiba NB200 Netbook (Procurement Scotland quick guide is available) for purchasers in Scottish public sector organisations. There is a 3G (allows you to connect to the internet via a mobile SIM card) and non-3G version being supplied with the same specifications:

• 1Gb Ram;
• 160Gb Hard Drive;
• Windows XP Home;
• 10.1" screen;
• 6 cell battery (up to 9 hour batter life);
• 1.33Kg weight.

The units are being sold at £199 (excluding VAT) and £269 (excluding VAT) respectively but for the month of February you get £50 cash back via the Toshiba website on the non-3G version!

Peter Keeves (Cornwall Partnership Trust) recently presented a session at Communication Matters on the new Intel Fizzbook Tablet PC and its potential as a low cost voice output communication aid (VOCA).  I shall give very brief details on this:

• Fizzbook Spin (Standard laptop version is just called a Fizzbook) can be purchased for around £300 which is very cheap for a Tablet PC (Touch screen laptop with rotating screen). It's powered with an Intel Atom processor, 1Gb Ram, 10.1" screen, 160Gb hard drive and Windows XP. It also boasts a carry handle.
• Peter suggested purchasing an iWantit IW150 ipod speaker station for under £15 which can then be attached to the back of the tablet (with good strength Velcro). The speaker is then powered via USB from the tablet (you can also use 4 x AAA batteries) and the sound can be turned on or off and adjusted easily with buttons on the top right of the speaker.
• Copy of Clicker 5 (with Quickfire grids) can then be purchased for home use at £59.

It should be noted that some basic soldering was mentioned but this was not elaborated on. I’m assuming this is for the earphone cable between the tablet and the speaker.

At less than £400 the finished article was very profesional and the audio fairly loud. I worked out that the total weight was about 1.75 Kg which isn't too heavy. 

An added touch is that the user can still attach their iPod to the back of the speaker!

If you wish to know more then you may wish to contact Peter Keeves via the Cornwall Partnership Trust (Peter.Keeves@cpt.cornwall.nhs.uk).

Yet another mini book (also known as the net-book) hits the market! However, this one is slightly different, as the Toshiba sales Rep claims a 9 hour continuous use battery life from its 6 cell battery.

There is a basic XP Home model for £254 (excluding vat) as well as a 3G enabled model (built-in mobile broadband capability) at £300 (excluding vat). The drawback with the 3G model is a reduction of battery life by 3 hours (if the 3G is used continuously) which just shows you how much power is consumed by mobile broadband.

Update (02/10/09): There is also 3 cell version battery (4 hour continuous use battery life) available in Linux and Windows XP for £218 + vat.

The Toshiba Rep also informed me that it has been designed for school children and so features the usual rugged clips, etc. Didn't mention any drop testing though! Saying that, I've read Toshiba have installed a G-sensor to enable free-fall protection for the hard drive. Whenever excessive movement is detected the drive heads are locked to help protect the hard drive. Since the hard drive is the only mechanical part, it is usualy the most common mode of failure when you drop it! So, this G-sensor will help prevent damage during a fall.

Specification:

• Intel Atom N270 processor
• 10.1" VGA screen
• 1Gb Ram
• 160Gb Hard Drive
• Wireless