Amrel's unusual DB6-M (right) appears to have been released last month, but its El Monte, Calif. manufacturer is focused on military markets, and never issued a press release about it that we can see. We were alerted to the device by Rugged PC Review, where author Conrad H. Blickenstorfer notes that while the device looks like a PDA and will fit in some pockets, it's actually a full-fledged Windows computer.

Measuring 7.9 x 3.7 x 1.3 inches, with a weight of 1.95 pounds, the DB6-M has a five-inch, 800 x 480 pixel display. As you might expect from a device aimed at the military, the touchscreen is resistive, so it may be operated via gloved hands.

Rather than a standard QWERTY keyboard or numeric keypad, the DB6-M has twelve function keys that adjust various hardware settings and can also involve Windows 7's onscreen keyboard, says Amrel. Also available is an onboard fingerprint scanner, for secure access, the company adds.

According to Amrel, the DB6-M includes a 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z530 processor, with the usual SCH US15W companion chip, and is fitted with the maximum 2GB of DDR2 RAM this chipset can utilize. Storage is via a 1.8-inch SSD (solid state disk), offered in capacities ranging from 32GB to 128GB, says the company.

Amrel says the DB6-M carries MIL-STD 461F and MIL-STD 810G certifications and an IP65 rating (meaning it is dustproof and water-resistant). A covered I/O port on one side of the unit provides a USB 2.0 port, a SDHC slot, and a SIM slot, while the other side of the device has a docking connector. A separately available cradle offers a serial port, an Ethernet port, three USB hosts and one USB client, and a VGA output, according to Amrel.

The DB6-M has a Mini PCI Express slot internally, according to Amrel, and this is apparently the key to some of its optional capabilities (Bluetooth 2.1 is standard). Wireless networking (802.11a/b/g/n) is provided via a Mini PCI card, for example.

Amrel says the DB6-M may be equipped with a GSM cellular modem, a GPS receiver, and a two megapixel digital camera. The company also touts a "night vision" feature which presumably employs the camera sensor, though we did not see further details.

According to Amrel, the DB6-M has a 3900mAh hot-swappable battery that provides up to five hours of operation. An AC adapter is supplied, and the device tolerates DC inputs ranging from 12 to 32VDC, the company adds.

Features and specifications listed by Amrel for the DB6-M include:

• Processor -- Intel Atom Z530 clocked at 1.6GHz
• Chipset -- SCH US15W
• Memory -- 2GB of DDR2 RAM
• Storage -- SSD in capacities ranging from 32GB to 128GB
• Display -- 5-inch touchscreen with 800 x 480 pixel resolution
• Keys -- 12 keys provide hardware adjustments and programmable function keys; optional fingerprint scanner
• Camera -- 2 megapixel (optional)
• Expansion:
  • SDHC slot
  • SIM slot
  • Mini PCI Express slot
  • docking connector
• Networking:
  • PAN -- Bluetooth 2.1
  • WLAN -- 802.11a/b/g/n (optional)
  • WWAN -- GSM modem (optional)
• Other I/O:
  • GPS receiver (optional)
  • 1 x USB 2.0 host
• Battery -- 3900mAh, hot-swappable; lasts for up to five hours
• Operating range -- n/s
• Dimensions -- 7.9 x 3.7 x 1.4 inches
• Weight -- 1.95 pounds with battery

Further information

Amrel did not detail pricing or availability, but the DB6-M appears to be available now. More information may be found on the DB6-M product page.

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