LAS VEGAS -- One of the more interesting and useful devices at Comdex 2001 is the Flair from AirSpeak. Designed for workplace environments, the Flair is a lightweight mobile pad that allows the user to view, operate, and access their desktop computer from afar. How far? Basically as far as the built-in 802.11b wireless will allow, which in a multi-base station office environment means just about everywhere.

The unit is thin (9.4-inches by 11.7-inches by 1.2-inches) and light (3.6 pounds) and features a 12-inch active matrix touch screen (1024 by 768 resolution). It's not a powerful machine with its Intel StrongARM 1110 processor with 32MB of internal memory and running Windows CE 3.0. In fact, it won't actually be running applications like Word, Excel, email, or a browser locally. Rather, the Flair mirrors your desktop PC so virtually all the processing occurs back in your cubicle.

The advantages here are obvious, as many workers spend a lot of their time away from their desks. There's no need to boot up or synchronize the Flair, it simply turns on and prompts you to enter a password. If the Flair is lost or stolen, data on the desktop, the "base station," is preserved.

Simple and stylish, featuring smooth edges, the Flair comes with a stylus, a software emulated keyboard, built-in stereo speakers, and a microphone. There's also PS2, VGA out, audio in/out, and USB ports as well as a lithium-ion battery, which is rated to last up to 6 hours. The device also includes 40/128-bit Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP).

Pricing in at $1,985, the Flair isn't an inexpensive solution, but those in manufacturing, healthcare, and information technology fields, as well as any corporate environment could benefit from increased productivity.

Company: AirSpeak, Inc.
Price: $1,985
Available: Now