A start-up firm is expected to launch a Transmeta-based x86 tablet-notebook at CeBit later this week which includes a separate screen as well as dictation and handwriting recognition.

The unit, called the PaceBook, is being introduced by PaceBlade, which will show the notebook at Transmeta's stand in Hall 13 at the CeBit show in Hangover.

The PaceBook uses a 600MHz TM5600 Transmeta chip and also includes a 4MB Silicon Motion Lynx graphic chipset.

That, claims the company, will allows battery life of over six hours on one charge. The graphics controller also allows rotation of graphics so that the machine can be used in either portrait or landscape mode.

Other specs include 128MB of SDRAM, a 20GB hard drive, a 12.1-inch TFT screen and WinME or W2K operating system. CD-RW or DVD drives, wireless interfaces and a camera are optional extras.

No prices are yet available but there are pics of the notebook here. The same Web site seems to suggest the machine is already in production and will be available in May or June. ®

*As usual, The Register will be there to cover Cebit, although yours truly will miss it for the first time in absolutely yonks, a fact that will no doubt be noticed by the proprietors of the press room bar...