NEC Leads Pack with New Handheld PC; MobilePro 900 Debuts as Industry's Fastest, Easiest to Use Handheld PC

Rancho Cordova, Calif., May 12, 2003 - NEC Solutions (America), Inc., a leading provider of business solutions and services for commercial and professional markets in North America, today announced the NEC MobileProŽ 900, the industry's fastest, easiest-to-use handheld PC (HP/C) available on the market today. With "instant-on" delivery of enterprise applications, along with size, speed and connectivity advantages, the MobilePro 900 provides an ideal platform for field force automation, professional services, and healthcare customers.




Fast and Flexible

The MobilePro 900 is a powerful product for capturing data, managing communications and presenting information on the road. With an Intel PXA255 400MHz processor, the MobilePro 900 is substantially faster than its predecessor, the MobilePro 790 handheld PC, and has more memory with 64MB RAM Base SDRAM. The MobilePro 900 features 32MB Flash ROM, and now includes an additional 32MB Flash ROM for customer applications. Built on the Microsoft Handheld PC platform, the MobilePro 900 is bundled with familiar versions of popular applications such as Pocket Excel, Pocket PowerPoint and Internet Explorer. The sleek, rugged unit measures 9.69-inches wide by 5.05-inches long by 1.19-inches thick, and is small enough to take anywhere.

"The introduction of the MobilePro 900 is the biggest news in handheld PCs in almost three years," said Tim Bajarin, President of Creative Strategies, an industry analyst firm. "NEC has chosen a fast processor and practical form factor for its design. The handheld PC platform offers the reliability, power and interoperability that field force professionals demand from their mobile enterprise solutions."

Known as a "clamshell" PC, the MobilePro 900 weighs in at less than two pounds1 yet features a nearly full size touch-type keyboard2. Users can type quickly and comfortably, ensuring accuracy and easing frustration associated with "thumb-typing" on typical handheld PC devices. The MobilePro 900 features an 8.1" HVGA (640 x 240) display that supports up to 65,000 colors and offers touch screen functionality.
The Clamshell!

The MobilePro 900 ships with a standard lithium ion battery, providing an estimated 8 hours of power under normal operation, and the unit charges rapidly using the A/C adapter. An optional, larger battery is available, which offers up to 16 hours3 of power under normal conditions.

Easy to Stay Connected

The MobilePro 900 provides a number of options for synchronizing data, sending and receiving email, and connecting to peripheral devices. The device features an integrated 56Kbps V.90 modem, USB Host/Slave ports, a serial interface, a PC Card Type I/II slot, a Compact Flash Type I/II slot and an infrared (Fast IR) port. IT managers appreciate the ability to "flash" applications in ROM to users and the integrated tools to help synchronize data collected in the field.

"NEC is proud to supply a product our customers demand," said Larry Miller, vice president and general manager, Mobile Solutions Division of NEC Solutions America. "The MobilePro 900 is fast, lightweight and simple to operate. For users who run their businesses from the field, the MobilePro 900 handheld PC is a very compelling solution."

The MobilePro 900 in the Field

Pharmaceutical sales representatives use the MobilePro platform to manage the selling process. During a visit to a busy doctor's office, sales reps can present information on new products using the MobilePro 900's half-size VGA color display. Afterward, reps may capture the physician's signature on the MobilePro 900's touch-screen display, confirming that he has received an in-person overview of the new product.

"Enkidu Research is dedicated to developing software to provide voices to people with disabilities that prevent them from speaking," said Dr. Gregory W. Lesher, President, Enkidu Research, Inc. "Without 'augmentative communication' devices, many persons with cerebral palsy, Lou Gehrig's disease, autism, and a range of other conditions would lack an effective way to communicate. For the past three and a half years, we've bundled our Impact software with NEC MobilePro handheld PCs to provide communication solutions for this community. With the release of the enhanced MobilePro 900, we're excited about the new possibilities that we can now offer our customers."

Ready to Use or Customize

The Windows CE 3.0/Handheld PC 2000 operating system also provides an array of integrated software applications for the MobilePro 900. Included in the Handheld PC operating suite are Pocket Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, Microsoft Voice recorder, World Clock, Calculator, Solitaire, Terminal, ActiveSync, and Remote Networking. A Terminal Server Client enables users to connect their MobilePro 900 devices to a desktop and run applications remotely.

The MobilePro 900 also provides a system set-up tool that allows users to configure and customize their units. The Quick Launch tool, for example, can be set to launch a particular application upon start up, taking advantage of the instant-on feature. Availability & Pricing

The MobilePro 900 is available now directly through NEC and through select distributors Ingram Micro and Tech Data and resellers; including Amazon, CDW, Mobile Planet and PC Connection starting at $899 (U.S.)4

About NEC Solutions America, Mobile Solutions Division

Mobile Solutions is a division of NEC Solutions (America), Inc., a leading provider of business solutions and services for the high-end commercial and professional markets in North America. Mobile Solutions offers unique mobile computing hardware and solutions to the enterprise market and combines best-in-breed software and services with world-class hardware to deliver complete solutions to targeted commercial market segments. For more information about Mobile Solutions, please go to www.necsolutions-am.com/mobilesolutions or contact (888) 632-8701. News-wireless home

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