Run Windows NT at 533 MHz
Visual Technology's new Super Personal Computer VT-Alpha 533S/N uses what is reportedly the world's fastest CPU, DEC's Alpha21164A running at 533 MHz. The VT-Alpha 533S/N is positioned as a workstation suited to computing-intensive tasks. It can be custom-built to the buyer's specifications. The base model comes with 64MB RAM (expandable to 512MB), a 4.3GB hard disk, and a 96KB on-chip secondary cache. The 533S/N also has a 12X CD-ROM drive, Matrox Millenium II graphics card, and 4MB of video RAM. The Alpha CPU runs either Windows NT 4.0 or Unix/Linux. Prices start at \810,000.

Visual Technology: 0120-00-7499

Adding another dimension to 2D
Looking for an inexpensive solution to creating three-dimensional images for your website? Sumitomo Shoji has introduced IPIX - Windows 95 digital content creation software that can create 360-degree, 3D images from just two fisheye lens or panorama photos. No special photographic knowledge is required to use the system. Playback of the created 3D environment is with a free IPIX Viewer (for Mac or PC). The basic IPIX package, called Clicks, with IPIX Builder (editing software) and materials for 10 images, retails for \198,000.

Sumitomo Shoji: 03-3217-6140

Lost in Tokyo?
Call Toshiba! Join Toshiba's Ekimae Tanken Club (Station Navigation Service), and you never need worry about getting lost in Tokyo - as long as you're carrying your PHS (personal handyphone system) unit and mobile PC, that is. When you access the Internet from your PHS, the service will pinpoint your location, display the five nearest stations, and even offer suggestions on where to eat or drink. It covers 140 stations centered around the JR Yamanote Line. To use the service, you need a DOS/V computer with Windows 95 and Netscape Navigator/Communicator or Internet Explorer. The necessary plug-ins can be downloaded free from the Ekimae Tanken Club site (http://ekimae.toshiba.co.jp).

Toshiba: 03-3457-2625

Micron meets the needs of power users
Micron has entered the workstation market with its Powerdigm XSU. Featuring Micron's new Samurai chipset and a 266- or 300-MHz Pentium II processor, the Powerdigm XSU is suited to heavy-duty 3D graphics processing. The Samurai chipset utilizes a 66-MHz/64-bit PCI bus (twice the bandwidth of conventional chipsets) and an expanded instruction pipe. Prices for a Powerdigm XSU Ñ with 64MB of ECC SD-RAM, a 4GB hard disk drive, 15-inch monitor, 8MB Diamond Fire GL 1000 Pro 66-MHz SG-RAM video card, and 20X CD-ROM drive Ñ begin at \434,900. Micron has also shipped a new line of top-end notebook computers. The 3.3-kg Micron TransPort XKE comes with either a 200-MHz Pentium and 32MB of RAM (model A) or 233-MHz MMX Pentium Tillamook processor and 64MB of RAM (model B). Both models feature a 13.3-inch XGA TFT screen, 20X CD-ROM drive, 2MB of video RAM, SoundBlaster - compatible stereo speakers and microphone, and a 33.6K-bps modem. Prices (with Windows 95 preinstalled) start from \672,900 for model A and \701,900 for model B.

Micron Electronics: 0120-64-2766

For on-the-go e-mail and faxing
Sharp's new Mobile Navigator Caleid PIM (personal information manager) goes beyond the usual address, calendar, "to doÓ list, and memo functions. Users can also send and receive e-mail (from NIFTY-Serve or Biglobe) and send faxes (with an optional modem and cellular phone adapter). Caleid accepts pen input via its touch-sensitive 320 x 240 LCD screen, and stored data can be transferred to most popular office applications on a Windows 95 desktop PC. Simply slot the Mobile Navigator Caleid into a Synchro Station cradle (sold separately), and information is updated with the push of a button. XM-700 model Caleid, with 2MB of flash memory, is priced at \38,000. The Synchro Station (with PC link software) is \9,800, the modem is \16,000, and a cellular phone adapter is \22,000.

Casio Computer: 03-3347-4811

Lease a line for just one yen per bps
PSINet Japan, one of Japan's major Internet/intranet service providers, is now offering a 128K-bps leased line for just \128,000 per month. The monthly fee for PSINet's InterFrame leased line service includes the NTT Digital Access circuit charge, DNS service, newsgroup access, and SMTP mail service. This makes it an economical alternative to a standard high-speed digital leased line, which costs \293,000 per month. PSINet Japan is accepting applications at the \128,000 price through the end of the year.

PSINet Japan: 03-5574-7414

A font-astic collection for Windows
Bored with your mundane Windows 95/NT Japanese fonts? Fujitsu's Fontcity TrueType Collection 3 offers an expanded assortment of 50 Japanese fonts (including calligraphy styles) as well as more than 5,000 editable color illustrations. Including alphabetic and symbol fonts, the package contains 201 fonts in total. Fontcity TrueType Collection 3 sells for \9,800.

Fujitsu: 045-471-0282

The Internet answer to audio books
If you find it hard to read small characters on your favorite websites, IBM Japan has a solution. Homepage Reader (for Windows 95/NT) can read aloud the text, frames, and ALT tags in any webpage. The application also allows users to adjust the speed of the audio, or to magnify the text for easier reading. All functions - from launching the software to connecting to a webpage - can be controlled from the number keypad alone. IBM's Homepage Reader requires IBM ProTalker 97 version 2.0 and Netscape Navigator version 3.0 or higher. It retails for \9,800.

Dial IBM: 0120-04-1992

A software doctor for your PC
CyberMedia's First Aid 97 was developed to help PCs solve their own problems. First Aid works from a knowledge database that covers over 10,000 PC problems. It can detect problems that may cause a hard disk crash, for example, and warn the user as well as offer possible solutions. Most problems can be solved by clicking on the "auto fix" button. When an application "dies," First Aid will administer CPR (Computer Program Reactivator) to reactivate the program, enabling the user to save data and close the application safely. Other functions include a PC checkup utility as well as monitoring of disk and memory space. Updates to the First Aid database can be downloaded from the CyberMedia server for one year after purchase. First Aid 97 comes in DOS/V and PC-98 versions for \9,800 each. A deluxe version, sold for \14,800, comes with a printed technical support directory (in addition to the online directory) and Easy Tutor Windows 95 CD-ROM.

CyberMedia: 0120-05-9196

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