IBM to release "pen and ink" notebook

IBM will release by month's end the ThinkPad TransNote, a notebookwith an attached notepad that can capture handwritten notes and transferthem to the computer. The TransNote opens like a book. Insideon the left is a mobile computer with a pivoting touch screen that can beused flat or raised to any angle to expose the keyboard. On the right sidesits the notepad. Models are available for left-handed people as well.

The device weighs about 5.5 pounds and is 1.3 inches thick when closed. TheTransNote can go wireless using 802.11b or Bluetooth. The TransNote has a600MHz Intel mobile Pentium III, 64MB of memory and a 10GB drive. The priceranges from $2,999 to $3,099.