Laptop that Only Boots with a (USB) Key

I think this is an interesting invention. Sharp has come up with a laptop that needs a USB key to boot up.

his is both a great and probably a very annoying idea, as I have lost a few USB keys in my life. The idea of course is to secure the data on a laptop by limiting access to the machine through a key device.

Sharp has just announced a PC tailored to the needs of the big professional market. They keyword here is security. The NH50K or AK can only boot when a unique protection USB key is inserted, and the HDD is emerged in a magnesium alloy casing with anti-shock gel. Performace-wise, you get a lousy Celeron 373 (1Ghz), 512Mb of RAM and a 40Gb HDD. Wireless b/g is also present, as well as the a(J52) (only compatible in Japan). The screen is 12.1″ big with an XGA resolution. Even though the specs are rather limited, it’s a very interesting device nevertheless because of the security aspect.

– Akihabara News