| Tabet PC has camera, RFID reader |
Apr. 30, 2008
 Motion Computing has released a tablet PC targeting contractors, delivery drivers, and other field workers. The F5 has a 10.4-inch touchscreen display, Core Solo CPU, hard disk or SSD (solid state drive), 802.11a/b/g networking, Bluetooth, a two megapixel camera, and an RFID reader.
(Click here for a larger view of Motion Computing's F5)
Calling to mind the adage "prevention is better than cure," the F5 has a large, integral carrying handle that should make the 3.3-pound device difficult to drop. Additionally, the F5 is built around a magnesium-alloy internal frame, plus a chemical-resistant resin covered in elastomer. Sealed against water and dust to the IP54 standard, the device also includes an accelerometer that shuts down its 1.8-inch hard disk drive when an impending impact is sensed.
The F5 has a 10.4-inch touchscreen display with 1024 x 768 resolution. Other external features include an integrated fingerprint reader, a two megapixel camera, a five-way directional controller, and buttons that perform operations such as taking a photograph or sending a "secure attention sequence" (i.e., ctrl-alt-del).
The top righthand side of the tablet houses the optionally available 1D/2D barcode scanner. The case also has twin microphones, intended to operate with the Knowles Acoustics IntelliSonic software bundled with the device. The software records speech that comes from a selected direction, while canceling out background noise, according to Motion Computing.
Internally, the F5 has a standard 13.56MHz RFID reader, along with its own integrated passive RFID tag. Other wireless functionality includes 802.11a/b/g local area networking, Bluetooth, and an optional Novatel E725 EV-DO Rev. A cellular modem.
The F5 uses a 1.2GHz Core Solo U1400 processor, equipped with 2MB of second-level cache and a 533MHz frontside bus. It comes with 1GB of RAM, upgradable to 2GB, a 40GB hard drive, and optional 32GB SSD.
Motion Computing's F5 in its docking station
(Click to enlarge)
The tablet does not have its own USB ports or VGA output. These are added, instead, by an optional docking station (above) that also includes 10/100 Ethernet, an integrated battery charging bay, and a stand offering three different viewing angles.
In addition to the fingerprint reader mentioned earlier, the F5 includes an Infineon TPM (trusted platform module). This provides for the secure generation and storage of cryptographic keys, and also provides a hardware pseudo-random number generator.
Features and specifications listed by Motion Computing for the F5 include:- Processor -- 1.2GHz Intel Core Solo U1400
- Memory -- 1GB of 533MHz RAM, expandable to 2GB
- Display -- 10.4-inch touchscreen with 1024 x 768 resolution
- Storage -- 40GB, 1.8-inch HDD, and optional 32GB SSD
- Wireless:
- WLAN -- 802.11a/b/g
- PAN -- Bluetooth 2.0
- WAN -- optional EV-DO Rev. A module
- RFID reader
- Other I/O:
- Docking connector
- 1D/2D barcode scanner (optional)
- 10/100 Ethernet (requires dock)
- VGA output (requires dock)
- 3 x USB (requires dock)
- Battery type/life -- lithium-ion battery, providing approximately 1.5 hours of operation
- Operating range -- 5 to 35 deg. C
- Dimensions -- 10 x 10 x 1 inches
- Weight -- 3.3 pounds
The F5 comes with either Windows Vista Business or Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, according to Motion Computing. It also includes a three-year warranty that covers damage from short drops (approx. 30 inches), and "ordinary" exposure to rain and dust.
Shipping now, the F5 costs from approximately $2,700 to approximately $4,000.
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