Motorola has announced a rugged handheld computer that comes with either Windows Mobile or CE, and in three different physical configurations. The MC3100 has a 624MHz Marvell processor, 802.11a/b/g and Bluetooth wireless, an integral RFID tag, and a choice of scanning capabilities, the company says.

The new MC3100 uses the same form factor as the previous MC3000, designed by Symbol Technologies before that company was acquired by Motorola in 2006. As before, there's a 320 x 320 pixel screen -- now offered only in color -- and a 624MHz Marvell PXA320 CPU has replaced the MC3000's 312/520MHz PXA270.

Motorola's MC3100
(Click to enlarge)

Featuring an integrated Symbol SE950 1D barcode scanner, or Symbol SE4500 1D/2D imager, the MC3100 is available in "turret," "straight shooter," or "gun" configurations, as pictured above from left to right. The 1D scanner has a range from 1.75 to 15.5 inches, while the 1D/2D imager offers similar range and has a resolution of 752 x 480 pixels, Motorola says.

Like many handheld computers of its type, the MC3100 is said to meet MIL-STD 810G standards for resistance to shocks and vibration. It can survive multiple four-foot drops onto concrete and more than 500 1.64-foot tumbles, according to Motorola.

Newly added to the MC3100 is an accelerometer, dubbed IST (interactive sensor technology) by Motorola. It's said that as well as switching the handheld's display from portrait to landscape mode when relevant, the accelerometer -- also featured on the company's recently announced MC9500 -- enables the MC3100 to go into sleep mode automatically when it has been left sitting or its display is face-down.

Motorola says IST may also be used to cry foul on butterfingered employees, logging the number of times the device has been dropped. In addition, the MC3100 includes an integrated UHF RFID tag, allowing businesses to automatically track the device's movement and location, the company adds.

As the photos earlier in this story suggest, the MC3100 is available with different keyboards. In fact, Motorola lists three versions: 28-key numeric, 38-key "shifted alpha," and 48-key alphanumeric.

Purchasers also have a choice of Windows Mobile 6 or Windows CE 6.0 operating systems. The MC3100 includes 128MB of RAM, 256MB or 512MB of flash storage, and a SD/MMC slot for memory expansion, says Motorola.

Featuring 802.11a/b/g wireless networking, the device includes a speaker and microphone and can make VoIP phone calls, Motorola says. Bluetooth 2.1 supports wireless headsets, and there's also a connector for wired headsets, the company adds.

According to Motorola, the straight-shooter and gun versions of the MC3100 include 4800mAh batteries, whereas the rotating-turret version has only a 2740mAh battery (operating times not specified). As expected, a wide variety of accessories -- likely compatible with the earlier MC3000 as well -- is offered, such as single- and four-slot battery chargers.

Features and specifications listed by Motorola for the MC3100 include the following:

• Processor -- Marvell PXA320 clocked at 624MHz
• Memory -- 128MB of RAM and 256MB or 512MB of flash storage
• Display -- Three-inch screen with 320 x 320 pixel resolution
• Keyboard -- 28-key numeric, 38-key "shifted alpha," or 48-key alphanumeric
• Imaging:
  • 1D scanner (optional)
  • 1D/2D imager, with 752 x 480 pixel resolution (optional)
• Wireless:
  • LAN -- 802.11a/b/g with WPA and Cisco CCX4 certification
  • PAN -- Bluetooth 2.1
• Other I/O:
  • USB 1.1 host/client or RS232
  • I/O connector for connection to optional Ethernet/USB/charging cradles
• Expansion -- SD slot
• Battery -- 4800mAh battery on gun and straight shooter configurations; 2740mAh on turret version
• Dimensions:
  • Straight shooter -- 7.49 x 3.25 x 1.77 inches
  • Turret -- 8.55 x 3.25 x 1.57 inches
  • Gun -- 7.5 x 6.5 x 3.2 inches
• Weight:
  • Straight shooter -- 14.95 ounces
  • Turret -- 13.52 ounces
  • Gun -- 18.34 ounces
• Operating temperature -- -4 to 122 deg. F (-20 to 50 deg. C)
  

Mukund Ghangurde, director of product management for Microsoft's Windows Embedded marketing group, stated, "Microsoft is pleased to work with Motorola to extend the power of the PC by fueling the rich user experiences and streamlined connectivity enterprise users and consumers demand from emerging specialized devices. Motorola's MC3100 is a strong example of a device offering a choice of Microsoft operating systems, with the versatility enterprise customers demand for productivity and a rich set of programming tools for application developers."

Further information

Motorola did not release pricing or availability information for the MC3100, but the device appears to be available now. More information may be found on the company's website, here.

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