Notebook PC Maker Averatec Adds GPS/PMP

By Amy Gilroy -- TWICE, 12/4/2006

Santa Ana, Calif. — Notebook computer manufacturer Averatec is shipping this month an aggressively priced portable GPS that doubles as a portable media player (PMP) at a suggested $299.

It's the second of two GPS models launched as part of the company's expansion beyond PCs.

To be sold through OfficeMax and other stores, the new Voya 320 has a 3.5-inch touchscreen and preloaded maps of the full U.S., including 1.6 million points of interest. It is manufactured by Averatec overseas.

It supports A/V in the following formats: MP3, MP4, AVI, WMA, WMV, DiVX and JPEG and has a rechargeable lithium ion battery that provides two hours of continuous use. It may be used also for hiking or bicycling.

Averatec considers itself the "Honda Civic" of notebooks and said it hopes to bring to the GPS category the same practical, lower priced utility.

"We give the quality, benefits and features you need at a very low price point," said a spokesman.