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World's Thinnest Laptop Title Goes to Sharp [updated]

The Sharp PC-UM10 laptop has claimed the title as the World’s Thinnest Laptop computer – and at a paltry 0.65-inches it blows Apple’s TiBook out of the water in this category.

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Updated with your feedback…


The Sharp PC-UM10 laptop has claimed the title as the World’s Thinnest Laptop computer – and at a paltry 0.65-inches it blows Apple’s TiBook out of the water in this category.

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The PC-UM10 also weighs in at under three pounds, making it a sure-fire hit for Windows users in Japan and for customers where size and weight is a factor. It packs a 600 MHz Pentium III, 20 GB HDD, and 128 MB RAM in the US$1999 package. Also worth checking out is the 360 degree rotating model. My only question: does it get key marks on the screen?


[Updated]

I bought a used Sharp Actius subnotebook a couple months ago…AWESOME machine…it may not be a Mac but having a sub 3 lb machine has been incredible on the road….battery life sucked though so after adding the extra battery, a CD-ROM, you’re weight does go over a the iBook….hmmmm maybe I should’ve bought an iBook …LOL [dixon]


Just thought I’d point out that while 3 pounds and 3/4 inches thick is indeed impressive, the sacrifices needed to purchase this computer are huge. And not necessarily cost-beneficial. This laptop actually compares more favorably to the iBook, not the PowerBook, and is STILL $1000 more than the high end iBook when you add features to try to get a comparable machine. For the base $1999, you get a wimpy P3|600, 128 MB RAM (not expandable), 4 MB ATi Rage card (like the old, old iBooks), last year’s OS (windows 2000) and NO optical drive. You also get Explorer only as your software package. There is only 1 USB port, so when you add the "port bar" for more connectivity, you add $199. Then, a USB 6x CD-ROM drive costs a whopping $279. And an upgrade to Windows XP will run $199. All this for almost $2700 and we’re still not factoring in stuff like AirPort built-in, FireWire for iMovie or iPod, a combo drive or video out. The added weight and expense of all this additional stuff surely makes this machine less impressive than the PowerBook or iBook–nice compromises between functionality and size/weight. [DJ]


Reading the specifications, 5 "details" beg your attention: the screen is 12.1" diagonal; the CPU is a "Mobile" Pentium III; the RAM is NOT expandable; the "standard" battery is rated at 3 hours; and there is NO built-in optical drive. My point? While the new Sharp may be thinner and lighter than the PowerBook G4, it is not even the equal of the iBook in performance and features – at a $1,999 price point. [Dr. Q]


The sharp machine is impressive but (in addition to the other limitations) the sound is mono, there is no firewire or gigabit ethernet and adding wireless would use up your only cardbus slot. Even if it ran osX I’d prefer the TiBook. [r.s.goldsmith]


Here in japan [its called the "MURAMASA"] they got the same laptop in smaller screen ratios as well….and to answer your question "NO", the keys donT even come close to the screen when the lid is closed because the keys actually "lower" when you close and visa-versa [fireants22]


By Jason O'Grady

Founded the PowerPage in 1995.