Advantech has introduced its first ruggedised web tablet. The MobiPanel is a powerful, portable wireless Windows CE-based device, combining data capture and communication technology. Built to withstand the harshest environments, the MobiPanel is designed to provide mobile professionals with a real-time, wireless solution to access information from remote databases via the Internet or an Intranet.
Running on Windows CE 3.0 with Java Virtual Machine, the MobiPanel weighs less than 1.4 kg and measures just 29.4 x 23.6 x 2.7cm.
It offers a wide range of features ideally suited to industrial professionals, including; an 800 x 600 colour TFT LCD display, a built-in PCMCIA wireless LAN card and a lithium ion battery which lasts for six hours and can be extended with a suspended operation function or via the docking cradle.
The MobiPanel is powered by Intel's StrongARM 206MHz processor, 32Mbyte Flash memory and 64Mbyte SDRAM, and comes with bundled software including handwriting recognition, Pocket Outlook, voice recorder and PDF viewer.
"For the majority of companies today, the Internet is a critical business tool", said Ray Chang, business development manager, Web Appliance Group, Advantech.
"For some industries such as utilities, it simply isn't practical for site engineers working remotely to carry a standard laptop.
The MobiPanel is extremely tough and versatile, yet it's light enough to carry around comfortably.
The wireless PCMCIA LAN adapter enables users to connect to the network in most environments, enabling 'Internet anywhere' to a whole range of industries, for any number of applications".
The MobiPanel has passed the compliance test for a 90cm drop and is qualified for IP35 environmental protection, meaning that it is dust and water-resistant.
It is suitable for a wide range of applications including retail, healthcare, warehousing, manufacturing process control, hospitality, logistic support, on-site service and home networking.
Input may come from either an onscreen keyboard or programmable function hotkeys on the right-hand side of the unit.
Extra keyboard connectors are also available on the unit itself and the docking cradle.
Additional I/O capabilities are available through the COM port, IrDA, USB and docking cradle.
Advantech's MobiPanel also has a full range of optional accessories, including a barcode scanner, a USB/PS2 mouse, a travelling case and an Advantech WLAN card.