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Toshiba Libretto dual-screen tablet hitting the U.S.

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Toshiba’s dual-screen concept tablet called Libretto was launched in Japan as a limited-edition to celebrate their 25th anniversary. Seemed unlikely we’d see it on sale in the States, but it turns out that limited-edition wasn’t so limited, as ToshibaDirect and Amazon are both offering it here for $1099.99.

The device features a pair of 7-inch, 1024×600 displays that can work together in a variety of ways, from a standard dual-display to one acting as an keyboard with multi-mode, on-screen ‘board. The video demo also shows the device held upright as an eReader with left- and right-facing pages or one screen acting as a “bulletin board” catch-all that offers the ability to grab images and a variety of gadgets, such as clock, calendar, calculator and labels.

While the design is very similar to Courier, it is not a pen-input device, relying solely on multi-touch. The specs are quite nice with 1.2GHz Intel Pentium U5400 dual core processor, 2GB memory, 64GB SSD, 802.11bgn, Bluetooth 2.1, and 1.0MP webcam with log-on face recognition, all in a 1.8lbs package with 8-cell battery and running Windows 7 Home Premium.

Unfortunately, they’re billing it as a “concept”, which is as beta as it gets, and while there are several hands-on videos with demonstration models, there does not seem to be a real evaluation of the unit as of yet. I can see purchasing one as a collectible or novelty, but I wouldn’t suggest dropping money on one as a productivity device unless you have money to burn (and therefore could afford to buy one as a collectible or novelty). Still, it’s great that they finally got this concept into production, and I will be exciting to see what, if anything, comes after it.

Via Engadget

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQHWfji5zZY

8 Comments

8 Comments

  1. jnjroach

    08/16/2010 at 6:32 pm

    I have one on order…I’ll post my thoughts when it arrives : )

  2. Steve S

    08/16/2010 at 9:59 pm

    Me, too. I’ll decide later if I want to keep it or resell it…

  3. Byron

    08/16/2010 at 10:24 pm

    Pre-ordered mine from Japan and should have it Friday and will be doing from DEEP reviews of it this weekend.

  4. Elmstrom

    08/17/2010 at 3:13 am

    Looking forward to the deep reviews of it, i wiss i had that kind of money to spend on toys :). I really like the idea of 2 screens on an UMPC.

  5. Medic

    08/17/2010 at 5:44 am

    Any predlivery thoughts for now?

    What will the inking capabilities be, e.g. with the new capacative pen which was reported these last two days? Is the dedicated virtual keyboard living up to its expectations? Is resistive still being missed? Has the ultimate courier been found?

  6. timon

    08/17/2010 at 6:27 am

    Toshiba is a famed manufacturer in Japan’s notebook industry, however Libretto W100 is bewildering, although many of the technical means obtain applied. What is a marketable target as the Libretto W100?

    Notebook?
    no, it is too small, I would rather select a 12-inch or 15-inch notebook.

    Netbook?
    no, it is too spending in my money.

    UMPC?
    no, it is a poor batteries life and a postiche thing for a secondly screen.

    e-book?
    My God, it is a highest pricing’s e-book and a worse batteries life, would you want it?

    Other bad points,
    not only this Libretto W100 is no HDMI output port, and it is also not any port to connect an exterior monitor. If you went to travel into a hotel-room staying, over there got a HDTV (or a monitor) to be a HDMI input port of available, unfortunately your Libretto W100 is unable to enjoy on a large screen.

    Also, the battery life is clearly a trouble on this Libretto W100:
    a processor of the TPD 18-Watt + two screen of 7-inch = got a poor battery life.

    Well, you need to take a high capability battery in the Libretto W100. it is on the right side of image, a fulsome size, nearly a 1.5-inch thick, (2 hours for playback video):
    https://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/img/pcw/docs/375/378/html/R1143425.JPG.html
    https://img.kakaku.com/images/magazinem/org/kakaku/i20100618/report52_22.jpg
    https://img.kakaku.com/images/magazinem/org/kakaku/i20100618/report52_23.jpg

  7. jnjroach

    08/17/2010 at 6:29 pm

    It is already sold out in the US at both ToshibaDirect and Amazon…not bad for a one day run…

    Someone is interested and I’m glad I got my order in…

  8. Steve S

    08/20/2010 at 2:51 pm

    Well, Amazon, bless their hearts, just unilaterally canceled my order. Claim that they “can’t get the stock.”

    Thanks, Jeff!

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