 | |
 Versa 2760MT | |
| Developer | NEC Corporation |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | NEC |
| Type | Laptop |
| Release date | April 1993; 31 years ago (1993-04) |
| Lifespan | 1993–2009 |
| Discontinued | March 2009; 16 years ago (2009-03) |
| CPU | x86 |
TheVersa was a line oflaptop computers sold by the Japanese electronics conglomerateNEC Corporation from 1993 to 2009. It comprised many form factors of laptops, from conventional clamshellnotebooks to pen-enabled convertibles featuring detachable displays, before the line was effectively discontinued in 2009 after NEC pulled out of the global market for personal computers.
The Versa was unveiled in February 1993 with the UltraLite Versa; volume shipment of the notebook began in April 1993.[1][2] This first model borrowed the namesake of NEC's influential earlierUltraLite family of"notebook"-sizedlaptop computers. The UltraLite Versa featuredIntel'si486SL microprocessor clocked at 20 MHz, taking advantage of the latter's internallocal bus for faster graphics processing (including displaying full-motion video) than typical notebooks of the time, such as theCompaq LTE and theZenith MastersPort.[1][3] The UltraLite Versa was pen-enabled, in that its display housing could be detached from the base of the clamshell casing and exchanged with ones featuring differingdisplay technologies, including one with a stylus-driven touchscreen color display. The laptop's screen could also be attached to the base turned 180 degrees away from the viewer and folded over the keyboard, allowing the user to use the machine like atablet.[1][4] A docking station with twoISA expansion slots was sold as an option.[3]NCR Corporation of the United States signed a deal with NEC to rebadge the Versa as the NCR Safari starting in September 1993.[5]
NEC dropped the UltraLite branding for their Versa laptops starting with the Versa E (Enhanced) series in December 1993. Instead of the i486SL, models in this series of Versa featureIntel DX2 processors clocked at either 40 or 50 MHz; however, like its predecessor, the modularity of the display technology is retained.[6][7] NEC followed up the Versa E series with the Versa M and the Versa V, all featuring incrementally improved i486 processors and other hardware, including a 16-mm clip-ontrackball for a pointing device.[8] In June 1994, they unveiled the Versa S series, a low-costsubnotebook version of the Versa lacking the modularity of its more expensive siblings (options like display technology had to be ordered ahead of time instead).[9] In November 1994, the company unveiled the Versa P, the first in the line to feature Intel'sPentium processor. The Versa P series introduced various multimedia features, including aSound Blaster–compatiblesound chip; integrated speakers and an internal microphone; plugs forline in, stereo headphone, and external microphones.[8]
In May 1995, NEC moved production of the Versa line from Japan toShanghai, after establishing NEC Shanghai Computers, a joint venture with Changjiang Computer Union.[10] The first two models of Versa produced in Shanghai—the Versa 2000 and the Versa 4000—abandoned the detachable display housings, optional touchscreens, and trackballs of the earlier models.[11] In lieu of the latter two options for pointing devices was a built-intouchpad.[12] The Versa 2000 series, released in June 1995, directly replaced the Versa S series and featured a 75-MHzIntel DX4 processor.[13] The Versa 4000 series, released in July 1995, featured Pentium processors and a front-loading drive bay accepting aCD-ROM drive, a floppy drive, a second hard drive, or a second battery.[11]
NEC revamped the look of the Versa again with the SX and LX families in June 1998, featuring a thinner profile, weighing under 5 pounds (2.3 kg), and featuring Intel'sMobile Pentium II processors.[14] Later entries in the Versa line featuredMobile Pentium IIIs,[15]Pentium Ms,[16] and eventuallyCore 2 Duos.[17][18] In March 2009, NEC withdrew its personal computer products from markets outside Japan, effectively ending the Versa brand proper.[19] The line continued in Japan, however, under the VersaPro name.[20]
