COMDEX 2003 Display Coverage: Prelude to a CES

Sharp

In case you don't know much about Sharp, they are currently the second largest LCD producer for consumer panels (17" and higher). Like Samsung, Sharp produces panels and retail LCD products, but their presence is not as strong in the US as it is in Asia or Europe. Sharp also has an enormous focus on home theater LCD products that do not quite cross over into the PC industry (Sharp is still the world's #1 LCD TV producer).

Sharp was very excited to announce more details about their 6G Kameyama facility. As we mentioned before, this will be one of the largest substrate foundries in the world at a little over 3.5M sq feet and will begin full production of 1500x1800 mm substrates in January (1500x1800mm substrates allow for 16 19" panels, which is a 40% increase of Samsung's largest capability). Sharp is also able to construct its 26" - 35" LCD TV right on the campus. $500, 4^th generation 19" LCDs appeal to us too!

On the heels of the incredible successful Zaurus, Sharp was also very excited to show off their 2lb, 0.55" thick Actius MM10 running Transmeta's much more capable Efficeon processor. As further introductions to the Actius line, Sharp presented its TN10W tablet and Actius AV18P DTR. Below, you can see the MM10 and the TN10W tablet:

Even though tablet PCs are exciting, it's the Actius RD3D that won us over. The Actius RD3D is our COMDEX Best of Show. Why would we award a 2.8GHz laptop “best of show”? Oh, did we mention that the display allows you to toggle on 3D imagery (natively, no goggles)?! Furthermore, full production units will be shipping before the end of November. Hopefully, Andrew Ku, our mobile editor, will have an opportunity to analyze the unit thoroughly!