CES 2009: ViewSonic Debuts Web-Centric PCs

By Colleen Bohen -- TWICE, January 12, 2009

Las Vegas — ViewSonic unveiled three low-cost computers that were described as key components of its cloud computing initiative, during International CES, here, last week.

The View line includes its first netbook, the VieBook, as well as an all-in-one and the ViePC Attached PC, which are aimed at,\ “assisting with the transformation of desktop PCs evolving into Web-centric displays that communicate to software applications running in the Internet.”

The VieBook netbook weighs 2.6 pounds, has a 10.2-inch screen and runs on an Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor. It comes with 1GB of memory, a 160GB hard drive, an Ethernet LAN connection, has Wi-Fi capability and is Bluetooth compatible. It features a 1.3-megapixel webcam, a four-in-one card reader, offers three hours of battery life and comes with Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition. The device will be available in February for a suggested $429.

The all-in-one VPC100 is said to measure 35mm thick and feature an 18.5-inch LCD display with a 16:9 aspect ratio. It is also powered by Intel’s Atom 1.6GHz processor, has 1GB of memory, a 160GB hard drive, Ethernet and Wi-Fi capabilities and a 1.3-megapixel webcam. Other features include a 16x DVD+/-RW drive, integrated stereo speakers, a three-in-one card reader and Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition. It will be available next month for a suggested $549.

The ViePC Attached PC is said to be a PC box that can be attached to the back of any VESA compatible monitor. The company said it is ideal for “basic office tasks and Internet-based programs.”

It has the same processing, memory and hard-drive specifications as the other two models. Its connectivity options are the same as well save for the added VGA output, serial port and four USB ports. It also comes with Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition and will be available in March at a suggested $449.