Flexible data collection PDA with keyboard
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

Unitech America is a subsidiary of Taiwanese automatic data collection specialist Unitech, founded in 1979. The PA966 is a Windows CE 5.0-based handheld computer using the 400MHz Marvell PXA255 processor (a chip that's now a couple of generations back). It has either an integrated 1D laser bar code scanner or a 2D scanner/imager that can read and decode a very wide variety of linear, two-dimensional and postal symbologies. The unit has USB and serial ports, infrared, and both a PC Card and a CF card slot for expansion.

The PA966's most prominent feature is its 36-key keypad that includes numeric, alpha and function keys. Though it looks like a QWERTY Blackberry-style keyboard, the keys are actually arranged alphabetically. There is also a 4-way navigation pad, and Esc and Enter keys. A special alpha key lets users easily toggle between input types.

The PA966 measures 3.4 x 7.3 x 1.7 inches and weighs about a pound including a very powerful 10-hour battery. It has a 64MB of RAM and 64MB of Flash ROM. The backlit touchscreen display has the standard 240 x 320 resolution. The device carries an IP64 ingress protection rating, can handle 4-foot drops, and operate in a -4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit temperature range.

The PA967 is essentially the same computer, but comes with a gun grip. This comes in handy for scanning-intensive applications. Between the PA966 and PA967, Unitech offers ten different models/configurations of this flexible, versatile data collection PDA.

Update April 2011: product no longer listed as active on Unitech website.