Speedy high-resolution 10-inch tablet for those who need Windows on the job, wherever that may be
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

In September 2017, Swedish Handheld Group announced the Windows 10-based 10.1-inch Algiz 10X tablet computer, the latest in the company's lineup of rugged mobile computers for use in markets such as utility, military, logistics, forestry, transportation and field service.

For a brief intro, the Handheld Group offers two primary product lines, those being the Nautiz branded rugged handhelds and the Algiz branded rugged tablets and notebooks. By now, most of the Nautiz handhelds are available with either Windows or Android. On the Algiz side, the Handheld Group also supports both Android (the Algiz RT7) and Windows, but with the new Algiz 8X, Windows is now up 3:1. The image below shows the company's older Windows-based Algiz 7 on the left, the Algiz 10X on the right, and the 8-inch Algiz 8X in the middle.

The Algiz 10X is not a new product, although it certainly looks all new. The original Algiz 10X, introduced in 2012, had a resistive touch screen and a different display aspect ratio. There was an update in February 2015 that doubled performance with a switch from the original Intel Atom N2600 to a Celeron N2930 as well as faster wireless communication, but it still looked the same. That's now changed as is quite evident from the comparison between the old Algiz 10X on the left and the new one on the right:

And now here's what's changed with the latest version of the Algiz 10X:

• While the display still measures 10.1 inches diagonally, resolution went from the old 1,366 x 768 to the new 1,920 x 1,200 pixel. That's well more than twice as many pixels, and pixel density rose from 155 ppi (pixel per inch) to 224 ppi, which is "retina" MacBook territory. The aspect ratio went from 16:9 to 16:10, which isn't as narrow and more pleasing to our eyes.

• Resistive single touch has been replaced with contemporary 10-point capacitive multi-touch that's much better suited to Windows 10 (and has also pretty much become what users expect). There used to be concern that procap doesn't work well with gloves on or in rain. The Handheld Group answered that with adding both a glove and a rain mode to the new Algiz 10X.

• An optional active capacitive stylus is available. That still comes in handy when extra precision is needed (like mapping, legacy apps, etc.).

• For positioning, the new Algiz 10X switched from a u-blox NEO-6T to a u-blox NEO-M8N with concurrent GPS and GLONASS support. This means that the receiver has more satellites at its disposal, which improves positioning accuracy under adverse conditions.

• The new Algiz 10X comes standard with the Enterprise LTSB version of Windows 10. LTSB stands for Long Term Servicing Branch. In essence, that means instead of constantly being updated (and often at inconvenient times), the LTSB version receives less frequent but more comprehensive updates.

• Handheld used the display and touch technology switch for a redesign. The flush glass surface of the capacitive screen extends past the LCD perimeter, giving the Algiz 10X a sleeker, more elegant, and more contemporary look. The directional diamond is gone as it is not needed with procap. This allowed a clean and elegant redesign of the physical button area.