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        Rugged tablets use Windows CE

        Jonathan Angel | Date: Jan 24, 2011 | Comments: 1


        DAP Technologies announced two Windows CE-based tablet computers, sealed to IP67 standards and engineered to withstand multiple four-foot drops. The M8930 and M8940 respectively include seven-inch or 6.2-inch screens, offer three megapixel cameras and 1D laser scanners, and sport both cellular radios and GPS receivers.

        Similar to Juniper Systems' Mesa, which has a 5.7-inch VGA-resolution screen and was recently updated with 3G cellular capabilities, DAP's new M8930 and M8940 take technology that's usually associated with handheld computers and expand it into a larger form factor. Both devices run Windows CE 6.0 on 624MHz Marvell PXA300 processors, have 128MB of RAM and 512MB of flash storage, and include SD slots that accept up to 16GB of storage, says DAP.


        DAP's M8930 (left) and M8940 (right)
        (Click either to enlarge)

        While both devices include the same 9 x 7.3 x 2.3-inch case, the M8930 has a seven-inch resistive touchscreen with 800 x 480 resolution, part of whose area is dedicated to seven programmable function keys. The M8940, on the other hand, has a 6.2-inch screen with 800 x 300 pixel resolution, plus a QWERTY keyboard, a four-way directional controller, and a separate numeric keypad.

        According to DAP, both screens have been optically enhanced so they can be viewed even in sunlight (the M8930's carries a 450-nit brightness rating, while the M8940's has a 350-nit rating). The systems meet the IP67 standard for sealing against water and dust, and they're capable of withstanding multiple four-foot drops onto concrete, the company says.

        Aimed at warehouse, field service, and trucking applications, the devices connect to an optional vehicle cradle, and their docking connectors convey RS232, USB client, and Ethernet signals, DAP says. Both devices are powered by an internal, captive 2600mAh battery, plus a second 2400mAh battery that is hot-swappable, according to the company.

        Apart from the docking connector, the only other ports on the devices are a USB host and a headphone jack. But, DAP offers a panoply of wireless options, including 802.11b/g local area networking, a GSM cellular modem, Bluetooth 2.0, and a SirF starIII-based GPS receiver.

        According to DAP, the M8930 and M8940 are also orderable with three megapixel cameras that include flash, autofocus, zoom, and video capture, plus a 1D laser scanner or a 1D/2D imager. A programmable trigger button on the underside of the tablets is designed for use with the scanners, the company adds.

        Eric Miller, vice president of DAP Technologies, stated, "Analysts are calling 2011 'The Year of the Tablet,' as companies rush into the consumer market to compete with the iPad. At DAP, we've been offering tablet computers to businesses since the 1990s and the maturity and design excellence of our new M8930 and M8940 models clearly reflect our heritage in this market."

        Features and specifications listed by DAP Technologies for the M8930 and M8940 include:

        • Processor -- Marvell PXA300 clocked at 624MHz
        • Memory -- 128MB of RAM
        • Storage -- 512MB of flash storage
        • Display:
          • M8930 -- seven-inch 800 x 480 pixel touchscreen; 450-nit brightness rating
          • M8940 -- 6.2-inch 800 x 300 pixel touchscreen; 350-nit brightness rating
        • Camera -- three megapixel with autofocus, zoom, flash, and video capture (optional)
        • Keyboard:
          • M8930 -- seven programmable keys on touchscreen; three-way keypad
          • M8940 -- 64-key QWERTY keypad; numeric keypad
        • Expansion:
          • docking connector
          • SD slot (accepts up to 16GB of storage)
        • Networking:
          • LAN -- 1 x Ethernet (via docking connector)
          • WLAN -- 802.11b/g (optional)
          • PAN -- Bluetooth 2.0 (optional)
          • WWAN -- GSM (optional)
        • Other wireless features:
          • 1D laser scanner (optional)
          • 1D/2D imager (optional)
          • GPS receiver (optional)
        • Other I/O:
          • USB host port
          • headphone jack
        • Power -- 2600mAh fixed battery and 2400mAh, hot-swappable secondary battery; life n/s
        • Operating range -- -4 to 122 deg. F
        • Dimensions -- 9.0 x 7.3 x 2.3 inches
        • Weight:
          • M8930 -- 2.96 pounds
          • M8940 -- 3.05 pounds
        Further information

        DAP Technologies did not cite pricing, but says the M8930 and M8940 are available now. More information may be found on the M8930 product page and the M8940 product page.

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