(Click here to enlarge photo of industrial tablet)

According to the company, all of the devices feature Wonderware's InTouch HMI (Human Machine Interface) software to provide an easy-to-use, familiar development environment to create, test, and deploy automation applications that connect to plant devices.

Tablet PC features

Annotation enables users to mark up a graphical display with pens and highlighters. After capturing and annotating a graphical screen, the user can email, print, or save the screen capture to facilitate troubleshooting and explanations of the production process. This feature enables operators and engineers to mark up HMI displays directly, allowing them to communicate areas of concern or interest and promptly resolve production inefficiencies.

Key hardware features and specs include:

• 800MHz Mobile Intel Pentium III MHz processor-M
  
• 512MB SO-DIMM memory module
  
• 10.4-inch 800 x 600 TFT active matrix color display
  
• Shock-mounted 20GB HDD
  
• Rechargeable Li-Ion battery (dual battery option)
  
• Built-in light sensor for automatic backlight control
  
• Proximity-sensing high-resolution electromagnetic digitizer using active pen
  
• AC97 sound, with MPEG audio playback and an integrated speaker
  
• USB port
  
• 802.11b wireless LAN
  
• PCMCIA Type III slot
  
• Expansion ports via docking station include: up to 3 serial ports (2 partial), USB, EPP parallel port, SVGA video, keyboard, PS/2 port
  
• Size: 10.6 x 8.25 x 1.56 in.
  
• Weight: 4.5 lbs
  
• Shock-absorbing, dockable carrying case

The tablets also include VPN capabilities for secure wireless connections to remote systems, and the device conforms to various industrial environment specifications for safety, shock/vibration, EMI/EMC, temperature, humidity and splash.

Touch panel computer features

Wonderware says its new touch panel computer consists of a PC-box unit plus a detachable display unit, and is packaged in an anti-corrosive, heavy-duty steel alloy case designed for harsh environments. The device is offered with a choice of resistive touch-screen flat panel displays, ranging from a 7-inch 800 x 600 pixel to a 12-inch 1280 x 1024 pixel backlit LCD display.

Key hardware features and specs include:

• 1GHz Intel Pentium III processor
  
• 2 USB ports
  
• PS-2 port with keyboard/mouse connector
  
• Serial port
  
• Parallel port
  
• 2 10/100 Mbits/sec Ethernet ports
  
• Two half-size PCI card expansion slots
  
• Externally accessable CDROM drive
  
• Internal 2.5-inch hard drive
  
• Lithium Battery CR2032; 3.0 V; 0.22 Ah