Motion Revs Up New Rugged Tablets

Motion Computing has added smart card readers, an EasyConnect USB/Ethernet module, and Core 2 Duo processors to its ruggedized tablet PCs.

We know, we know: these days most people want an ultra-slim laptop they can carry with them anywhere as easy as a digital media player. (That is, they want it in addition to their digital media player.) But for folks whose work has them on their feet all day in the field or running around a facility like a hospital—or in the case of, say, theater pros setting their lights—tablet PCs have definitely carved out a niche. It might not be practical to use a full keyboard and set up a notebook everywhere you go, but a tablet with an integrated handle and stylus might just do the job.

With that in mind, the Texas-based Motion Computing has rolled out uypgrades to its F5 Mobile Field Tool, C5 Mobile Clinical Assistant, and LE1700 Semi-Rugged Tablet PC. The C5 and the F5 each pick up a new smart card reader and an EasyConnect USB/Ethernet mobule: the smart card reader uses an ExpressCard interface and can push data across at up to 12 Mbps, while the USB/Ethernet module adds a USB 2.0 port and a 100Base-T Ethernet port for connecting to peripherals and LANs.

Meanwhile, the LE1700 gets a new processor option—a Core 2 Duo U7500, which gives a 10 percent performance boost without sacrificing batter life. Motion Computing is also adding Enhanced UltraView and UltraView Anywhere displays that provide a wider viewing angle than earlier models and an SXGA+ resolution of 1,400 by 1,050 pixels. The LE1700s will also be available with a 64 GB solid-state drive rather than a traditional hard drive.

The new updated tablet PCs and options are all available now.