Vulcan to show its MiniPC concept Flipstart during Demo 2004

Vulcan Inc., has announced that it will preview FlipStart at DEMO 2004. Previously debuted as Vulcan's "MiniPC" prototype, FlipStart combines the performance and functionality of Windows XP with the connectivity of wireless PDAs to provide users with continuous access to software, email, and the Web while on the go.

"DEMO has selected FlipStart as an unprecedented demonstration of power and flexibility in mobile computing," said Chris Shipley, executive producer of the DEMO Conferences. "Vulcan has raised the bar for the entire category. The small form-factor and its always-on connectivity liberates workers from the office desktop to make mobile professionals more productive." The annual DEMO and DEMOmobile conferences focus on emerging technologies and new products, which are hand-selected by executive producer Chris Shipley from across the spectrum of the personal technology marketplace.

Competition in this market is not strong. Currently the Antelope is the only one available for orders. The OQO, promissed for last year, and again shown during the CES 2004 in Las Vegas, was delayed for late 2004.

The specs are:

Microsoft Windows XP Home/Professional operating system

Dimensions: 5.8" x 4" x 1" (148mm x 101mm x 26mm)

Weighs 1lb (450g)

1 GHz processor

256MB system RAM

30GB internal hard drive

3D graphics w/ 8MB video RAM

Full-function, QWERTY thumb keyboard w/ hotkeys for commonly used commands

5.6" HDTV-quality display (1024 x 600)

Lithium-ion Polymer battery (2-6 hours battery life*)

Integrated 802.11b (11 Mbps) /g (54 Mbps) Wi-Fi

USB 2.0 port

Internal microphone/speaker with headphones and ear bud jacks

Integrated 1.3MP digital camera

The company plans to offer Bluetooth, wi-fi and DVD-CD/RW drive as optionals.