(Click here for a larger view of Glacier's Ridgeline T100)

Surprisingly for a newly introduced device, the Ridgeline T100 is said to use a 400MHz Marvell PXA255, a "end-of-life" CPU that has been around for some years, while the tablet also includes just 64MB of RAM and 128MB of flash storage. As Glacier would no doubt respond, however, the T100 is designed for durability and repetitive data collection, not computing glamor.

The tablet, which closely resembles the previously introduced Nova Mobility NMS-5000, survives four-foot drops to concrete and meets the IP54 standard for sealing against dust and liquids, says Glacier. Meanwhile, a hot-swappable 4400mAh battery is said to provide extended battery life, though no figures were provided.

Using Windows CE 5.0, the T100 has an 8.4-inch touchscreen display with 800 x 600 resolution, plus four directional keys, four programmable function keys, a suspend/resume button, and a button that invokes the device's software keyboard. The device has AC '97-compatible audio, and includes an internal microphone, speaker, and a headphone jack, says Glacier.

Available with optional 802.11b/g and Bluetooth modules, the T100 also includes a relatively-rare IrDA (infrared data association) port, plus two USB 1.1 host ports, Glacier says. Additionally cited are a VGA port, plus an 18-pin connector that relays USB client and RS232 signals to an optional charging cradle.


The Glacier Ridgeline T100 has SD/MMC and CompactFlash slots

Finally, while the T100's onboard flash storage might be meager by today's standards, the device compensates with two expansion slots, as pictured above. These accept either SD/MMC or CompactFlash Type II media, according to Glacier.

Features and specifications listed by Glacier for the Ridgeline T100 include the following:

• Processor -- Marvell PXA255 clocked at 400MHz
  
• Memory -- 128MB of RAM and 64MB of flash storage
  
• Display -- 8.4-inch touchscreen with 800 x 600 resolution
  
• Wireless:
  • LAN -- 802.11b/g (optional)
    
  • PAN -- Bluetooth (optional)
    
  • WAN -- "long-range RF" (optional)
    
  • IrDA
• Other I/O:
  • Headphone jack
    
  • 2 x USB 1.1 host
    
  • 1 x VGA
    
  • RS232 and USB 1.1 device (via 18-pin cradle connector
• Expansion:
  • 1 x SD
    
  • 1 x CompactFlash Type II
• Battery --- 4400mAh
  
• Operating temperature -- 32 to 122 deg. F (0 to 50 deg. C)
  
• Certification -- IP54, four-foor drops to concrete
  
• Dimensions -- 10.51 x 7.99 x 1.57 inches
  
• Weight -- 2.78 pounds without battery

Further information

Glacier did not list pricing but says the Ridgeline T100 is shipping now. More information may be found on the company's website, here.

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