- Japan keeps releasing new laptops with ports that disappeared from global designs
- The NEC VersaPro VX-R blends retro hardware with updated business specifications
- VGA and DVD support shows how Japanese buyers prioritize long-running workflows
Japan continues to stand out as the one market where retro technology remains a normal part of new product launches.
The arrival of the NEC VersaPro VX-R reinforces this pattern because it combines an Intel Core Ultra processor with features that disappeared from most global series.
A VGA port and a DVD burner now feel unusual on a modern notebook, but Japan is still the only region where these components still appear on brand new machines.
Japanese people seem to love retro technology
Earlier releases this year followed suit, including a Dynabook T-Series with a Blu-ray drive and a Fujitsu A77-K3 with an optical drive.
The VersaPro VX-R, a new Japanese notebook, mixes new processing with aging connectors.
This device runs Windows 11 Pro and offers a choice of Core Ultra 7 265U, Core Ultra 5 235U or Core Ultra 5 225U processors.
These chips are all built around Intel’s current low-power platform with an NPU for AI tasks.
Memory scales up to 32GB, while storage options range from 256GB to 1TB with hardware encryption.
NEC equips the laptop with a 15.6-inch screen, available in HD or Full HD, and the higher-resolution panel uses IPS technology to improve viewing angles.
Battery life is rated at around six hours for video playback and around ten hours when idle under the JEITA 3.0 method.
The device supports Wi-Fi 7 and wired LAN, and NEC is promoting it as a business laptop built for reliable daily use.
Security features include support for Secured-Core PC, biometric authentication through an IR web camera or fingerprint sensor, and BIOS self-recovery in accordance with recognized guidelines.
The device includes five USB ports, HDMI output, SD card support, a wired LAN connector and the unusual combination of VGA and an internal DVD burner.
The last two additions remain useful in meeting rooms, schools and institutions that have not replaced older projectors or archive systems.
VersaPro VX-R also supports a hardware scan tool that can check the CPU, memory and other components from either Windows or BIOS.
This helps users identify problems without specialist help. Support services include fast repair options and a wide maintenance network across Japan.
The continued release of notebooks with vintage connectors shows how local expectations influence design and explains why laptops like this still appear in Japan.
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