New PrintiaLaser series from Fujitsu

Fujitsu has released the new version of PrintiaLaser, the XL-2110. With its space-saving design (33 x 39 x 20cm, 9.5kg), it can be easily placed on the desktop. It allows high-speed printout of 12 sheets of A4 paper/min., and its resolution is 1200dpi. The standard tray can hold up to 250 sheets of paper, and with the extended tray, it can hold 500. It can handle up to A4 and US letter size. Retail price is JPY79,800. Fujitsu 0120-89-4321

DVD-RAM drive kit from Hitachi

Hitachi has released an internal DVD-RAM drive kit, the GF-1000B2SK. It is the first DVD-RAM drive that is equipped with an ATAPI interface, and is compatible with Windows 95/98. Due to the ATAPI interface, it can be easily installed in a PC without requiring a SCSI board. The kit includes UDF (universal disk format) system drivers, Mediakeeper backup software, and Software Cinemaster 98 -- a software-based decoder for DVD playback. Continuous transfer rate of the DVD-RAM is 1.38MB/s, and for DVD-ROM/R, 2.76MB/s (2X speed). Retail price is JPY69,800.
Hitachi, Ltd. 03-3506-1639

Another Apricot from Mitsubishi

The new Apricot CX200 series features desktop PCs for business that are equipped with either a 366 or 400MHz Intel Celeron CPU. All models have 64MB of memory, 4.3GB HDD, 24x CD-ROM, and users can choose Windows NT, 98, or 95 for the OS. The optional 15" LCD monitor saves space, and the PC itself is designed to be rather small (306 x 320 x 88mm -- oriented vertically or horizontally). The retail prices are JPY268,000 for the 400MHz/Windows NT model, JPY248,000 for the 400MHz/Windows 95 or 98 model, JPY218,000 for the 366MHz/Windows NT model, and JPY198,000 for the 366MHz/Windows 95 or 98 model. Mitsubishi 03-3218-9064

JustHome from Justsystem

Japan's home PC users are increasing, but software that is user friendly enough for first-time users is not. JustHome from Justsystem is made for home PC users, especially those who are not familiar with the Windows interface and would like to have all the featrures they want in a single system. The software starts with the Guide Menu, where users can click and choose from "The First Step," "Let's Create," "Word Processor," "Internet," "Pictures & Digital Camera," or "Options." These menus were created based on Justsystem's research on home PC users, who were asked what they would like to do with their PCs. Retail price for JustHome is JPY20,000, with the first 50,000 units being sold for the special price of JPY12,000.
Justsystem 03-5412-3939, 06-6886-9300

LogoVista Xcompo from Catena

Catena has released its LogoVista Xcompo translation software, available for download from the Internet at http://www.logovista.co.jp/products/compo/. Several components of the software can be purchased separately, and users can choose to buy only those functions they need. Components include: Translation Engine (LogoVista EtoJ and LogoVista JtoE for JPY10,000 each), Interface (Website Translator, Quick Translator, etc., for JPY3,000 each), and the Editing Function (Editor, Fuzzy Match Translator, etc., for JPY10,000 each). The translation engine does not function by itself and needs at least one of the other interfaces, but since users do not have to purchase all the components (as is the case with packaged products), the cost can still be quite low.
Catena Corp. 03-3615-4603