Averatec touts 3G, Wi-Fi UMPC

Built-in keyboard too

Notebook specialist Averatec will ship its take on the ultra-mobile PC concept this autumn, offering a handheld Windows XP Home Edition-based machine with a keyboard that sits underneath a slide-out 5in, 1,280 x 1,204 touch-sensitive screen.

Dubbed the AHI, the handheld is based on an Intel Celeron M ultra-low voltage processor. Averatec, which unveiled the device in France this week, didn't say how high the CPU will be clocked - expect it to offer a range of speeds - but it confirmed the AHI will contain at least 512MB of memory, a variety of local websites, including PDA France, report.

The AHI is understood to contain a 30GB hard drive, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi - Bluetooth is optional - 10/100Mbps Ethernet, 56Kbps modem and integrated 3G mobile phone connectivity. Averatec also said the device will sport a GPS receiver for satellite navigation. There's a two megapixel digital camera too.

All this in a unit weighing 700g and measuring 18.6 x 9 x 3.3cm.

Averatec indicated the AHI will be available in a range of configurations priced between €499 and €899 ($606-1,091/£346-623). It will be offered in two colours: black and silver. ®