News 

The Korean giant unveiled its latest innovation, the M70, at IFA Berlin 2005 on Friday and said that its unique design will compete with both notebooks and desktops thanks to a mammoth 19in detachable monitor.

The M70's LCD monitor can be placed in a dock to give the appearance of a conventional desktop PC, but Samsung's real selling point is that the M70 will allow users to upgrade with minimum expense. Owners will simply need to replace the main body rather than the entire device - so they don't have to fork out for a screen that they don't necessarily need to upgrade.

This also boasts environmental benefits. Not chucking out an entire notebook means less waste and will help meet the EC WEEE directive that will soon come into force, making equipment manufacturers responsible for the safe disposal of their products.

The notebook is powered with the latest Intel Centrino mobile processor chip and fitted with advanced audio and multimedia features, including Samsung's AVS Now technology that enables users to quickly acess their videos, photos and audio files and watch TV and DVDs in just 12 seconds - without having to

ADVERTISEMENT

reboot Windows.

The M70 is also equipped with four USB ports, a full-sized keyboard with a PCMCIA type remote control device and weighs just 4.4kg.

However, Samsung has not confirmed if the M70's monitor will be compatible with other brands of notebooks and PCs and it is unclear when Samsung will launch an upgrade for the device.

The M70 is due to go on sale in October, although there has been no announcement about price and availability.

The launch of the M70 follows last month's revelation that Samsung will be saying goodbye next year to its only contract notebook client, Dell, forcing the company to focus on marketing its own-brand notebooks. Sources have said that Samsung's next aim is to become a world leader in the ultralight notebooks segment.

Perhaps with a strategy in mind, Samsung will launch the M70 in tandem with its ultra-light and portable X1. The notebook weighs in at 1.7kg and features a top-loading optical disk drive in an attempt to save space.

The X1 is aimed at business users and has been designed with ergonomics and durability in mind. A specially designed keyboard aims to reduce pressure and heat on palms and wrists, while a waterproof feature drains spilled water to the bottom of the keyboard.

With so many money-saving, user-friendly designs, it seems Samsung are taking a thoughtful approach to their notebook plans in order to stamp their place in the market.

Kyuho Uhm, vice president of the Computer Systems Division at Samsung Electronics, said that the company will 'continue to introduce multi-functional new concept notebooks, such as the X1 and M70, to satisfy consumer needs for style, performance and function'.