Focus on getting small at CES

Small-format devices are likely to gain the attention of enterprise buyers when the CES conference kicks off in Las Vegas today.

Although primarily targeted at consumers, CES has also become a showcase for leading-edge technology and the appearance of a new Eee PC from Asus could attract IT departments seeking highly-mobile systems for browser-based workloads. Since its recent UK release, the sub-£200 Linux-based Eee PC has collected excellent reviews and advance versions of a second release will be on show at CES, likely to include a larger screen and WiMax wireless network support.

Another subnotebook on show will be E-lead’s Noahpad that packs an unusual specification with 7-inch screen, split keyboard and the ability to convert into a tablet format.

Microvision will demonstrate its PDA-sized projector for mobile devices. The firm expects a wide range of uses from presentation slideshows to video.

Wireless USB is also scheduled to be shown with Alereon and LitePoint demonstrating cordless transfers based on a reference design.