(Click for larger version)

Unveiling the new Que reader this morning, Plastic Logic CEO Richard Archuleta said the company is aiming to create the first "iconic product" of a new category -- not just an e-reader but a "paperless briefcase" targeted to business professionals. It lets people read and interact with business documents in addition to magazines, newspapers and books, attempting to replace much of the paper that many business people still carry around.

In that way, the device will be a high-profile test of the niche between smart phones and portable computers. Here's the key question: Will business people see the Que as a replacement for paper, or an insufficient alternative to more full-featured slate computers, such as the HP slate computer shown here yesterday, or whatever Apple might have up its sleeve?

The Plastic Logic Que will ship in April. The company will sell a 4GB Que model with WiFi, but no 3G wireless, for $649. An 8GB version with WiFi will sell for $799, with 3G wireless service from AT&T. By comparison, Amazon.com sells models of its Kindle reader for $489 and $259.

Applications for Windows PCs and BlackBerry phones will help people send documents and attachments to the Que via email, where they'll be able to read and annotate them. The device overall is the size of a standard sheet of paper 8.5 x 11 inches, and 0.3 inches thick. It weighs 17.2 ounces, and the screen is 10.7 inches.

Here's a video I shot from the show floor. See this page for more. I've also uploaded more photos of the Que to the Flickr gallery there.