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        Windows handheld has 32-hour battery life

        Jonathan Angel | Date: Nov 20, 2009 | Comments: 1


        Juniper Systems announced a ruggedized handheld computer that offers up to 32 hours of battery life. The Windows Mobile 6.1-based TK6000 survives multiple five-foot drops to concrete, offers an alphanumeric keyboard and 3.5-inch display, includes two serial ports and two USB ports, and provides optional GSM cellular connectivity, says Juniper.

        Juniper Systems acknowledges that its new TK6000 is basically the same as the previously released Carlson Surveyor+ (below), designed for Carlson and released last year with that company's SurvCE data collection software on board. The device is now being offered to other customers, with what appear to be only minor engineering changes, if any.

        With only a change of badge, and gray end caps, Juniper's TK6000 looks identical to these Carlson Surveyor devices

        However, we don't recall Carlson making such prodigious claims for battery life. According to Juniper, the TK6000 includes two battery slots (right), allowing it to house dual 3900mAh batteries. Each of these batteries is good for 16 hours of operation, for a total of up to 32 hours' runtime, the company says.

        As before, the device includes magnesium enclosures with elastomer end caps. It meet IP67 standards for water and dust resistance, and also withstands repeated five-foot drops onto concrete, as entertainingly demonstrated in a video at the end of this story. The TK6000 includes separate alphabetical and numerical keypads, plus a nine-way navigation pad and dedicated function keys, all claimed to be easily operable even by a gloved user.

        Juniper says the TK6000 includes two RS232 serial ports, a full-size USB host port, a USB client port, and a 12VDC input. Wireless networking (802.11b/g) and Bluetooth are standard, while an optional GSM cellular expansion pack (left) is also available, apparently adding somewhat to the size of the device. System integrators can devise other expansion packs that include specialized sensors or communication options, the company adds.

        The TK6000 includes a 624MHz Marvell PXA270 processor, 128MB of RAM, 1GB of flash storage, and a microSD expansion slot, according to Juniper. The device has a 3.5-inch, 320 x 240 touchscreen display, with the novel ability to disable the touchscreen from the keyboard when desired.

        Specifications listed by Juniper Systems for the TK6000 include:

        • Processor -- Marvell PXA270 running at 624MHz
        • Memory --128MB of RAM and 1GB of flash storage
        • Display -- 3.5 inch QVGA (320 x 240) touchscreen display
        • Keyboard -- LED-backlit function keys, nine-way directional keypad, separate alphabetical and numeric keyboards
        • Expansion -- microSD slot
        • Wireless:
          • PAN -- Bluetooth 2.0
          • WLAN -- 802.11b/g
          • GSM cellular modem (optional via expansion pack)
        • I/O:
          • 1 x USB host
          • 1 x USB client
          • 2 x RS232
        • Battery type/life -- 3900mAH battery pack with 16-hour life; room for optional second battery
        • Operating temperature -- -4 to 130 deg. F (-20 to 54 deg. C)
        • Dimensions -- 10.49 x 5.09 x 1.85 inches
        • Weight -- 1.88 pounds with one battery, 2.09 pounds with two

        This video shows the Carlson version of the Juniper TK6000 being hurled from a building, run over repeatedly, and being dragged at speed
        Source: Carlson
        (click to play)

        Further information

        Juniper Systems did not release pricing for the TK6000, but the device appears to be available now. More information may be found on the company's website, here.


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