Compaq launches new ultraportable

Compaq Computer released on Wednesday the Presario 800 line. The ultraportable notebook, which will start at $1,799, is less than 1 inch thick, weighs less than 3.5 pounds and sports a 12-inch screen. It features a 700MHz Intel Pentium III processor, 20GB hard drive, 128MB of memory and options for external CD, CD-rewritable or DVD drives.

Compaq is also introducing for the notebooks and its iPaq handhelds, a high-speed wireless Internet service called the iPaqnet Mobile Internet Solution. Compaq is teaming with WorldCom Wireless Internet Service to offer the service, which will run on WorldCom's and Ricochet's networks. The service operates at up to 128kbps and is available in 13 cities. The wireless Internet kit costs $299, plus $74.95 per month for unlimited airtime.