Intel showcased the Metro Notebook (http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/16/intel-shows-off-metro-notebook-concept/) during the Intel Developer Forum in Beijing this month, and while we've seen only a few mock-ups (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=10406) of the device, a lucky PC Pro author had the chance (http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/110184/handson-with-intels-eink-laptop.html) to experience the real thing. It's a superslick notebook with an E Ink display attached in its leather case. Unlike what the mock-ups like us to believe, the E Ink display is still not in color but only in the typical four levels of grey.

Still, seeing a major brand like Intel embracing E Ink technology makes my heart leap for joy. :sunny:

I have a cellphone with 2 screens. The outside one is for picture taking and various information display.
I'd guess this one is for reading without having to unfold it, like in a bus or a plane where room is sparse.

Is the external display supposed to be a Microsoft Sideshow implementation or a new thing altogether?

The idea seems sound, the design however makes it look like somebody stuck a cheap chinese ebook reader on top of a highly priced designer laptop... ;)

I think implementations like this one could very well be a good idea since there are some areas where eink just can't compete with LCD or OLED displays. If you want to read books or just review some text-based info, the eink panel is ideal. For data-entry, websurfing, video, games and all the other "multimedia" stuff the "normal" laptop display is still far better I guess...

Two more photos from TrustedReviews...