LXE is responsible for a wide variety of Windows-based handhelds, such as the MX8 (right), offered with both Windows CE 5.0 and Windows Mobile 6.1. The new MX9 is like many of the company's previous offerings in that it is touted as "ultra rugged."

The device boasts an IP67 rating for resistance to liquids and dust, survives six-foot drops to concrete, and survives up to 2,000 one-meter tumbles, the company says. Meantime an available MX9CS variant is said to include low-temperature batteries and a built-in heater, while an MX9HL version is said to be compliant with Class 1 Div. 2 hazardous location environments.

According to LXE, the MX9 uses an 800MHz Marvell PXA320 processor, includes 128MB of RAM and 128MB of flash storage, and has an SD expansion card that accepts up to 4GB of memory. The device has an outdoor-readable 3.7-inch touchscreen display with 320 x 240 resolution, plus backlit keyboards offered in either 62-key alpha-numeric or 38-key numeric-alpha configurations, the company adds.

LXE says the MX9 has built-in 2D barcode scanning capabilities, with "full symbology" support and the ability to capture images at VGA resolution. The device's laser scanner can focus from four to 40 feet, the company adds.

The MX9 includes a GPS receiver, 802.11a/b/g wireless networking, and Bluetooth 2.0, says LXE. Wired interfaces include USB host and client ports and an Ethernet port, while a microphone and speaker are also included, according to the company.

Steve Newell, a general manager for LXE, stated, "The MX9 family of handheld computers further extends LXEs reach into new markets and outdoor data collection applications. Replacing the popular MX5 series of handhelds, LXE has incorporated improvements and additional functionality requested by its existing customer and partner base."

Features and specifications listed by LXE for the MX9 include the following:

• Processor -- Marvell PXA320 clocked at 800MHz
• Memory -- 128MB of RAM and 128MB of flash storage
• Display -- 3.7-inch touchscreen with QVGA (320 x 240) resolution
• Keyboard -- 62-key alpha-numeric or 38-key numeric-alpha backlit keyboard
• Imager -- 2D imager with "full symbology support," VGA-resolution image capture, and focusing range from 4 to 40 feet
• Wireless:
  • WLAN -- 802.11a/b/g
  • PAN -- Bluetooth 2.0
  • GSM/GPRS cellular modem (optional)
• Other I/O:
  • USB host and client
  • Ethernet
  • 1 x powered RS232
  • Speaker and microphone
• Expansion -- SD slot accepts up to 4GB
• Battery -- capacity n/s, but "full-shift" life cited
• Dimensions -- 9.9 x 3.9 x 2.7 inches (251 x 99 x 69mm)
• Weight -- 2.1 pounds
• Operating temperature -- -4 to 122 deg. F (-20 to 50 deg. C)

LXE did not release pricing for the MX9, but said it and the MX9CS and MX9HL are "available immediately." More information may be found on the company's website, here.

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