IBM ThinkPad TransNote

The IBM ThinkPad TransNote is a notebook computer by IBM.

Features
The TransNote consists of a leather-like folio case which contains a computer on one side and a paper notebook on the other side.

The technology is comparable to the CrossPad, which used a similar design as the TransNote.

Specifications
The TransNote comes equipped with:


 * 10.4" TFT FlipTouch display (800x600 resolution)
 * 600 MHz Intel Mobile Pentium III
 * ATi Rage Mobility M 4MB
 * 10GB or 20GB HDD
 * 64MB PC-100 memory standard, 320 MB max
 * CompactFlash dock
 * CardBus slot (type 2)
 * PC Card slot.
 * Two audio controllers:
 * Intel AC'97 Audio with a CS4297A codec
 * Crystal Semiconductor CS4281
 * MiniPCI slot with one of the following:
 * 3Com 10/100 Ethernet Mini-PCI Adapter with 56K Modem
 * Xircom 10/100 EtherJet Mini PCI Adapter with 56K Modem
 * ThinkScribe digital notepad

The battery pack uses flat Samsung 103450 cells.

Reception
Computerworld called it a "failed design" because it tried to blend a large 3M digitized pad with a tiny underpowered laptop in the same product. PCQuest viewed it as an attractive choice for people who travel a lot. TechRepublic called it one of the 25 "unique and bizarre breakthroughs" in laptop innovation.

Awards
The TransNote won a Gold iF Product Design Award in 2002 in the product discipline. The TransNote was the winner in the PC category of the PC Magazine Awards for Technical Excellence in 2001.

Further developments
IBM announced the discontinuation of the TransNote in February 2002, intending to discontinue it at the end of the year.