connectivity, Twinhead says.

(Click here for a larger view of TwinHead's DigiHeal)

Motion Computing's F5 (Click image for further information)

According to Twinhead, the DigiHeal is a version of the MCA (mobile clinical assistant) reference platform devised by Intel. First implemented by Motion Computing with its C5 and closely related F5 (right), and then by Panasonic with its Toughbook H1, the MCA design includes sealed buttons and ports, an integrated carrying handle, an integrated fingerprint reader, an RFID reader, and a two megapixel camera. (See later in this story for background and details of other released MCA products.)

Twinhead has implemented all the above design elements, equipping its version of the platform with Intel's 945GME northbridge, ICH7M southbridge, and the 1.06GHz Core 2 Solo U2100 processor (said by the chipmaker to have a 5.5 Watt TDP). The company says that the DigiHeal can withstand three foot drops, and is IP54-rated to resist water and dust intrusion. Like the other MCA implementations, the device readily tolerates sanitizing washdowns with alcohol and other chemicals, the company adds.

The DigiHeal includes 1GB or 2GB of DDR2 RAM, a 1.8-inch SATA HDD (hard disk drive) available in 60GB or 80GB capacities, or an optional 32GB SSD (solid state drive). The device includes no slots for removable flash storage, apparently because apertures in the case could harbor germs or attract liquids. Its MCA-inspired design also omits USB ports, presumably for the same reason.

The DigiHeal's only wired interfaces are a power connector, plus flush pins that make contact with the docking station pictured at the right. Docking station capabilities include four USB ports, 10/100 Ethernet, and two battery charging bays, the company says.

The tablet's wireless interfaces include 802.11a/b/g/n wireless networking, Bluetooth 2.1, a barcode scanner, and an RFID reader. An optional 3G data module is said to provide cellular networking capabilities, though Twinhead doesn't specify operating frequencies.

Twinhead says the DigiHeal's touchscreen display provides 1024 x 768 pixel resolution, is viewable both indoors and out, and can be operated either with a stylus or via fingertips. Meanwhile, the device also incorporates dual battery bays, each accepting a three-cell, 2400mAh battery.

Features and specifications listed by Twinhead for the DigiHeal include:

• Processor -- Intel Core 2 Solo U2100 clocked at 1.06GHz
  
• Memory -- 1GB or 2GB of DDR2 RAM
  
• Display -- 10.4-inch touchscreen display with 1024 x 768 resolution
  
• Camera -- 2 megapixel
  
• Keys -- 3 user-defined programmable buttons, directional pad, camera, RFID on/off, barcode reader on/off, Bluetooth on/off
  
• Storage -- 60GB or 80GB HDD (hard disk drive), or optional 32GB SSD
  
• Networking -- 802.11a/b/g/n wireless
  
• Other wireless interfaces:
  • Bluetooth 2.0
    
  • Cellular (optional)
    
  • RFID
    
  • Barcode scanner (optional)
• Other I/O -- Docking connector
  
• Battery type/life:
  • 2 x hot-swappable battery packs, offering 2400mAh apiece
    
  • 2.25 hours of operation per battery pack
• Dimensions -- 10.63 x 10.08 x 1.39 inches (270 x 256 x 35.3mm)
  
• Weight, with one battery pack -- 3 pounds (1.36 kg)

Background

Intel's Paul Otellini with the first MCA device, Motion Computing's C5 (Click image to enlarge)

Intel first devised its MCA (mobile clinical assistant) reference platform in 2006 [PDF link, here], specifying a touchscreen tablet device with sealed buttons and ports, an integrated carrying handle, an integrated fingerprint reader, an RFID reader, WiFi, a two megapixel camera, and a separate docking station. As noted earlier, the design was first brought to market by Motion Computing with its C5, being shown off by Intel President and CEO Paul Otellini at right.

Since then, at least five other vendors have brought MCA devices to market. We believe that one of them, TabletKiosk's MCA i1040XT, is manufactured by Twinhead and is effectively identical to the DigiHeal covered earlier in this story.


Advantech MICA-101, Arbor M1255, Motion Computing F5, and Panasonic Toughbook H1
(Click any for details)
The other four previously released MCA devices, pictured above, can be summarized briefly as follows:

• Advantech's MICA-101 has a 10.4-inch touchscreen display with 1024 x 768 resolution, Intel Atom Z510 or Z530 processors, 2GB of RAM, and six hours of claimed battery life
  
  
• Arbor's M1255 has a 12.1-inch display with 1024 x 768 resolution, an Atom N270 processor, dual batteries offering a total of seven cells, and Linux support (the other MCAs appear to be Windows-only)
  
  
• Motion Computing's C5 and F5 have a 1.2GHz Core Solo U1400 processor, 10.4-inch display with 1024 x 768 resolution, up to 2GB of RAM, a 40GB HDD (hard disk drive) or optional 32GB SSD (solid state drive), and an optional cellular modem
  
  
• Panasonic's Toughbook H1 has a 1.86GHz Atom Z540 processor, a 10.4-inch display with 1024 x 768 resolution, 1GB of RAM, an 80GB HDD, plus cellular and GPS options

Further information

Twinhead says the DigiHeal is offered with either Windows Vista Business or Windows XP Tablet Edition operating systems. The device appears to be available now, but the company did not release pricing. More information may be found on the company's website, here.

Meanwhile, an interesting article analyzing the Twinhead DigiHeal -- apparently also sold as the GammaTech Durabook RT10 MCA -- and comparing it to the other MCA designs can be found on Rugged PC Review, here.

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