AMAZING LAPTOP UNFOLDS BEFORE YOU

When something's too big, try folding it a couple of times. Folding works just fine for my shirts and other articles of clothing, but a computer? Well evidently someone really must like folding things over at Xentex Technologies as evidenced by their new Flip-Pad Voyager notebook computer. This is one laptop that would make any origami master proud.

At first glance, the Flip-Pad looks much like any standard portable computer in a closed position. Weighing in at around 12 pounds, the Flip-Pad measures 14x10x3 inches so it can easily fit into most any laptop case. But that's where all similarities end. To begin opening the computer you first unfold it at the center point so that it effectively doubles in size. At this point it still looks like a closed laptop computer. The second and final opening move is to lift the clamshell-style lid that contains the viewing screen as you would open any other laptop. What you then see is a really large keyboard that's bigger than most desktop computers and certainly larger than any portable I've seen. Plus it's got this really big screen. Or to be more accurate, screens. The screen is actually a dual panel setup that yields a combined viewing area of around 20 inches and works seamlessly with Windows. Each screen is orientated in a portrait mode so it's possible to view a complete 8.5 by 11 inch page on each screen without scrolling. The included Xendesk Desktop Manager enhances Windows by adding two extra buttons to every upper right window title bar. The "Screen Switch" button moves an open application displayed on one screen to the other. The "Super Maximize" button expands an application to fill both screens at the same time.

Once opened this really large computer sports all sorts of comfort features including a huge extended palmrest, a signature-capable Touchpad, stereo speakers, function and arrow keys, and a numeric keypad. But with all of this, there's one more twist. The right half of the split screen is hinged so that it can be rotated to face in the opposite direction of the left side. So anyone sitting in front of you can see a full screen of data while you view the left half that remains facing in your direction. Xentex says this is ideal for small presentations while you remain at the keyboard. I say this is one very bizarre computer but it's fascinating nonetheless.

The rest of the Flip-Pad Voyager's features include four USB and a Firewire port, built-in modem and Ethernet, dual hot-swappable drive bays, dual PCMCIA slots and a removable stylus for the trackpad.

If you've ever felt cramped using a portable computer, then the Flip-Pad Voyager is certainly one notebook you may want to consider. Check the website for additional options. $4995.

Take a closer look

Ever want to look at something more closely? Now you can with the ProScope, a digital microscope that connects to your computer's USB port. Designed for both Windows and Macintosh platforms, you simply place the ProScope over anything you wish to magnify. Whatever it sees is instantly displayed on your computer's screen in full color. If you like what you see, simply click on the Snap Shot button to preserve the image. Or click on the Movie Shot button to record full motion videos of whatever you're magnifying at the moment. There's even an Interval Shot button for time lapse images so you don't have to stand around waiting for that bacteria culture to grow.

The ProScope has a ring of six white LEDs surrounding the lens to illuminate what you're magnifying and comes with a 50X lens. Optional lenses of 100x

($109) and 200x ($129) are also available for when you feel the need to get even closer. And since the lens mount is an industry standard C-Mount, you can use third-party lenses.

I'm sure you'll find that your junior scientists will absolutely love the ProScope for school projects and discovering the world around them. That is if they'll ever be able to pry it away from you.