LXE says its new Marathon is a hybrid design intended to provide the advantages of a notebook computer, PDA, or tablet -- without some of the disadvantages. It's easier to maneuver and work with while standing than a notebook, and lacks a vulnerable screen hinge, but it also provides the QWERTY keyboard (and even numeric keypad) that most tablets do without, the company says.

According to LXE, the Marathon weighs only 2.2 pounds, but has a magnesium-alloy case that allows it to survive multiple four-foot drops onto concrete. Sealed against liquids and dust to the IP65 standard, the device operates 2.5 hours on its standard lithium-ion battery, while optional secondary batteries boost runtime to six or ten hours, adds the company.

LXE's Marathon

It's said the Marathon has an integrated fingerprint reader that, by sensing finger motion, can also double as a mouse. The device's keyboard and keypad, meanwhile, are augmented by resistive touchscreen capabilities on its seven-inch touchscreen, LXE says.

LXE says the seven-inch display has a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels, which some may consider a little low but which doubtless makes text easy to read. The standard screen, for indoor applications, has a 320-nit brightness rating, but there is an available alternative for outdoor usage, the company adds.

According to LXE, the Marathon has a two megapixel camera, and it's available with a 2D imager and a magnetic stripe reader. Built-in networking is said to include 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.1, while the optional Qualcomm Gobi chipset provides a GPS receiver and a cellular modem that works on UMTS/HSPA or CDMA networks worldwide.

LXE says the Marathon runs Windows Embedded Standard, Windows XP Professional, or Windows 7 on a 1.6GHz Atom Z530 processor, equipped with 1GB or 2GB of DDR2 memory. Storage is via SSDs ranging from 8GB to 64GB, adds the company.

Finally, a connector provides access to optional docks that add two USB 2.0 ports, an Ethernet port, external antenna ports, an RS232 port, and a VGA port.

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

• Processor -- Intel Atom Z530 clocked at 1.6GHz
  
• Chipset -- SCH US15W
• Memory -- up to 2GB of DDR2 memory
  
• Storage -- SSDs in 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB sizes
  
• Expansion:
  • Docking connector
    
• Display -- 7-inch touchscreen with 800 x 480 resolution, with resistive touchscreen
  
• Camera -- 2.0 megapixel, and optional 2D imager
  
• Keys -- QWERTY keyboard with numeric keypad, fingerprint reader/mouse
  
• Networking:
  • LAN -- Ethernet (via dock)
  • WLAN -- 802.11a/b/g/n
    
  • PAN -- Bluetooth 2.1
    
  • WAN -- HSPA or EVDO cellular via Gobi module (optional)
• Other I/O:
  • 1 x VGA (via docking connector)
    
  • 2 x USB 2.0 (via docking connector)
    
  • audio out
    
  • 1 x RS232 (via docking connector)
• Battery -- 2.5-hour main battery, plus optional secondaries providing six and ten hours of operation
  
• Operating temperature -- -4 to 122 deg. F (-20 to 50 deg. C)
  
• Dimensions -- 8.1 x 7.8 x 1.3 inches
  
• Weight -- 2.2 pounds with handle and integrated battery

Stephen Newell, LXE general manager, stated, "Between PDAs and laptops, there is plenty of technology that offers mobility, but every solution before the introduction of the Marathon field computer has come with sacrifice -- whether it's a lack of ruggedness, small screen size, or awkward ergonomics. The Marathon computer fills a void in the market for a fully-rugged, PC-based experience with the right balance of screen size and ergonomics."

Further information

Pricing was not cited, but LXE says the Marathon will begin beta site deployments in September, with shipments to preorder customers beginning in December. More information may be found on the company's website, here.

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