Rugged tablet runs Windows XP Embedded

Advantech has announced a new rugged tablet PC that features a 10.4-inch touchscreen display. The “PWS-8101M” runs Windows XP Embedded, survives three-foot drops, and uses a 1.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, the company says.

Advantech’s “military grade” PWS-8101M, fitted with bumpers on each of its corners, meets MIL-STD-810F and MIL-STD-461E standards, the company says. All six of the tablet’s sides, fitted with covers that protect its ports, are IP65-rated for sealing against liquids and dust, the company adds.

 

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Featuring a 1.6GHz Intel Core Duo U7500 processor, the PWS-8101M does not operate fanlessly, but its fan is “waterproof,” and helps the tablet achieve a rated operating range from -4 to 140 deg. F (-20 to 60 deg. C). With a rated 34-Watt TDP, the device can operate continuously for four hours using its 5200mAh battery, claims Advantech.

Advantech’s PWS-8101M

Primary mass storage on the PWS-8101M is provided by a 2.5-inch, 80GB SATA hard disk drive. However, this may potentially be supplemented by flash memory installed in either of two expansion slots provided by the tablet: CompactFlash Type II and PCMCIA Type II, with CardBus 2.1 support. Meanwhile, the tablet’s SODIMM slot is capable of accepting up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM, Advantech says.

Hiding behind the covers pictured below are a variety of ports, including two USB 2.0 ports, a VGA output, two RS232 ports, a microphone input, and a line output. As shown, there’s also an input for external power (18 ~ 20VDC).

The ports on Advantech’s PWS-8101M

The PWS-8101M has an RJ45 port for gigabit Ethernet, and also includes both Bluetooth 2.0 and 802.11a/b/g wireless. Optional equipment includes a GPS receiver based on the SiRF starIII chipset, plus a celluar modem that can download data at HSDPA speeds, says Advantech.

The PWS-8101M has a 10.4-inch touchscreen display with 1024 x 768 pixel resolution, a claimed 1200:1 contrast ratio, and a 400-nit brightness rating. The screen is optionally available in a transflective version that is outdoor-viewable, Advantech says. In addition, the tablet has a numeric keypad, four way navigation buttons, and four function keys, according to the company.Features and specifications listed by Advantech for the PWS-8101M include the following:

* Processor — 1.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo U7500
* Memory — Up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM via single SODIMM slot
* Storage — 2.5-inch, 80GB hard disk drive (plus CompactFlash and PCMCIA slots)
* Display — 10.4-inch touchscreen display with 1024 x 768 pixel resolution
* Keys — Numeric keypad, four-way navigation buttons, four function keys
* Wireless:
o LAN — Gigabit Ethernet
o WLAN — 802.11a/b/g
o PAN — Bluetooth 2.0
o WAN — 3.5G module with HSDPA compatibility (optional)
o GPS (optional)
* Other I/O:
o 2 x RS232
o 2 x USB 2.0
o 1 x VGA
o Audio mic in and line out
* Expansion:
o 1 x CompactFlash Type II
o 1 x PCMCIA (CardBus 2.1-compatible)
* Battery type/life:
o 5200mAh lithium-ion battery
o Four hours of continuous operation
* Operating temperature — -4 to 140 deg. F (-20 to 60 deg. C)
* Dimensions — 12.2 x 9.29 x 1.65 inches (310 x 236 x 42mm)
* Weight — 6.54 pounds (2.9kg)