Rugged UMPC boasts GPS/GSM/GPRS options

location based services


Aug. 06, 2007Acturion Datasys has released an ultra-mobile PC (UMPC) intended for use outdoors "in harsh environmental conditions." The Victum-Tablet 8 UMPC has a "completely sealed" light-alloy metal housing and uses a 1.2 GHz Pentium M processor to run Windows XP Tablet Edition.
Acturion Datasys's Victum-Tablet 8 UMPC features a sunlight-readable 8.4-inch touchscreen displayAccording to Acturion Datasys, the design of the Victum-Tablet 8's case makes it resistant against shock, vibration, rain, dust, sand, and temperature extremes. Additionally, the device's wide operating temperature range (-20 to +60 degrees C) can be extended at the low end by installation of an optional hard disk heater.
Victum-Tablet 8 side view, with covered portsThe company says the ruggedized device is equipped with an 8.4-inch display that is daylight readable. So that use via gloved hands is possible, the tablet can be operated either by finger pressure or via an active digitizer pen; the mode is switch-selectable. Ease of operation is said to be further enhanced by dedicated cursor and number keys.
The Victum-Tablet 8 docking station(Click to enlarge)A standard 7200 mAh lithium-ion battery is claimed to operate the device for up to seven hours. Alternatively, a lighter "slim-pack" 3600mAh battery can power the UMPC for approximately 3.5 hours. The X-form hand strap at the back of the tablet is said to make the device easy to handle in landscape and portrait display modes. The housing complies with the IP 54 (NEMA 12) MIL-STD 810-F standards for ruggedness.Other specifications include:
Processor -- Intel Pentium M - Low Voltage, clocked at 1.2GHz; 2MB L2 Cache; 400MHz FSB
Memory -- 256MB DDR2 S0DIMM standard; accepts up to 1.25 GB
Storage -- 40 GB 2.5-inch HDD standard; 80 GB optional
Video:
Intel 915GM chipset with up to 32 MB shared memory
Sunlight-readable 8.4-inch display
Touchscreen and Digitizer
800 x 600 pixel resolution
Audio:
2 3.5 mini-stereo jacks for mic input and headphone output
speaker
microphone
Networking -- 10/100/1000 Ethernet
Other I/O ports:
2 x USB 2.0
RS232 serial port
Expansion:
Type II PC Card Slot (PC Card / Card Bus 2.1)
Type II CompactFlash socket
Docking station connector
Wireless:
802.11a/b/g
GSM/GPRS (optional)
Bluetooth 1.2 (optional)
GPS receiver (optional)
Power supply -- 19 VDC via AC adapter, 100V-240V,50-60Hz @ 60W
Dimensions -- 10.6 x 7.2 x 1.6 inches (270 x 184 x 42 mm)
Weight -- 4.2 pounds with standard battery; 3.7 pounds with slim-pack battery
Operating temperature -- -20°C - 60°C (HDD heater is an available option)While Windows XP Tablet Edition comes preinstalled on the Victum-Tablet 8, Acturion says the device is also compatible with Linux. The device is available now, though prices were not disclosed.