December 2007
New: Special section for panels and vehicle mountsRuggedPCReview has added a special section for panel and vehicle mount computers. We define panels as stationary slate or tablet computers. They are used in situations where computing power is needed in a vehicle or shop floor or laboratory, but there is no need for the computer to be carried around and no room to set up a conventional, non-rugged PC. We have added the first batch of panel and vehicle mounts, many more will be added. If you're a manufacturer of such systems, please let us know so we can include you. [See new section on Rugged Panel and Vehicle Mount computers] -- Posted Sunday, December 30, 2007
Dell finally has a Tablet PC!
Well, it took a while, but Dell finally has a Tablet PC. The Latitude XT follows Dell's trademark formula of offering competent yet fairly generic products with some extra goodies baked in. The XT excels by offering what promises, if it uses the ATG 630's technology, to be one of the best outdoor-viewable displays. And the N-trig dual mode pen and touch digitizer adds flexibility. We would have preferred an internal optical drive to the snap-on Media Base, but overall the Latitude XT is a nice addition to Dell's Latitude line as well as a serious competitor in the notebook convertible market. [Read detailed description and specs of the Dell Latitude XT Tablet PC convertible] -- Posted Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Metrologic releases high-performance miniature imaging engine
Metrologic Instruments announced the IS4920, a miniature mega-pixel imaging engine with a hardware decoder. OEMs can integrate the high-performance engine into a wide range of devices for omnidirectional scanning of 1D and 2D bar codes. The IS4920 captures high-res 1.2 megapixel images and decodes bar codes in applications associated with mobile computers, handheld scanners,kiosks, identity verification, medical/diagnostic instruments and lottery terminals. The IS4920 draws approximately half the operating current of comparable products. [See Metrologic IS4920 webpage] -- Posted Monday, December 17, 2007
Review: Toshiba Portege R500
The Toshiba Portege R500 is another remarkable showcase product from one of the world's great notebook makers. Despite having a full-size keyboard, an advanced optical drive, tons of connectivity and a very powerful battery, it's thinner and much lighter than you'd expect a notebook to be. Weighing just over two pounds and being less than 0.8 inches thick, you hardly know it's there if you carry it around. The transreflective 12.1" display is totally revolutionary and provides superb viewability both indoors and outdoors. The R500 is "executive rugged," which means it was designed to take some more punishment than standard notebooks. [Read full review of the Toshiba Portege R500] -- Posted Monday, December 17, 2007
Computrace security software support in GD-Itronix rugged notebooks
Absolute Software Corporation announced that the General Dynamics Itronix GoBook XR-1 is now shipping with industry standard Computrace computer theft recovery and data protection support built-in. Effective immediately, the GoBook XR-1 will have Computrace Computer Theft Recovery, Data Protection and Secure Asset Tracking technology built in at the BIOS level. General Dynamics Itronix also plans to begin offering Computrace support in its next generation GoBook VR-2 semi-rugged notebook computers. -- Posted Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Alinean and Wipro Windows Mobile Messaging TCO Tool
Alinean announced the availability of the Windows Mobile Messaging TCO Tool, an online calculator developed to analyze the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of competing mobile solutions. Developed in partnership with Wipro, the analysis tool is based on research of mobile deployments by 160 customers, and a comparative lab-based study to determine the TCO of the leading mobile platforms for e-mail messaging and collaboration. The tool was introduced at the Windows Mobile Partner Summit 2007. [Check out the Windows Mobile Messaging TCO Tool] -- Posted Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Trimble's new Field Service Technician software
Trimble introduced a new mobile workforce management solution for field service technicians -- TrimbleFS software. Designed for field technicians who perform maintenance, repairs, equipment installations and many other services, the new application for Windows Mobile devices extends enterprise information into the field and automates paper-based processes to increase efficiencies and improve customer service. [Read Trimble News release on TrimbleFS] -- Posted Tuesday, December 4, 2007
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"Over the many years that we have been testing and reviewing rugged mobile computers, and in our professional careers prior, we have noticed that there is very little standardization and that potential clients are often confused where and what to buy," said Dr. Conrad H. Blickenstorfer, Editor-in-Chief of RuggedPCReview.com and former CIO of the New York State Dormitory Authority. "We hope that our new service will answer many questions and provide all the answers a client needs to make an informed decision."