10.6" Widescreen Ultra Portable Tablet PC
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

Having considerable experience in the handheld market and also some with Tablet PCs (the Xnote LT20, for example), LG Electronics tried again with the Widescreen Ultra Portable Tablet PC, a small and elegant notebook convertible that clearly sought to provide the best of both the notebook and the tablet world.

With the X1, LG clearly went for the ultra-light market, even if it meant giving up features like an internal optical drive (the unit came with an external drive). With a footprint of just 10.7 x 8.1, the X1 is smaller than a standard sheet of paper and weighs less than three pounds. The 10.6" wide-format screen is small, too, but its WXGA resolution (1280 x 800) is no less than that of much larger machines. Based on the 1.2GHz Intel Core Duo U2500, the C1 runs the WIndows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 quickly and can even handle Vista Home Premium. It has decent connectivity (3 USB ports, video,audio) and an attractive case that is glossy black outside and black/white inside. No more PC Card slot; that has been replaced by a 5-in-1 reader that can handle CF Card, xD Picture, SD/MMC, and MemoryStick and MemoryStick Pro.

For such a small computer, the C1 handles well. LG calls the keyboard "standard size" but the main QWERTY layout is really more like 92%-scale. The C1 does not have an active digitizer that can take advantage of all the Tablet PC Edition features. Instead, it makes do with a touch screen. A small telescope pen hides away in a hidden garage inside the LCD case's hinge. The hinge, of course, uses the ubiquitous swivel mechanisms to let you convert the C1 from a notebook to a tablet with its display facing up.

Such a light machine cannot possibly have a big battery, and the C1 doesn't. The standard powerpack is only good for 2-1/2 hours or. LG sells an extended battery that adds size and bulk, but lasts up to four hours.

At US$2,699 the C1 is pricey, but ultra-portables always cost more. As is, it's a nice, handy unit that works especially well with Vista.