Advantech's MobiPanel 100 (MPC-100) is an industrial web tablet that runs Windows CE 3.0. It's intended to be a remote wireless device accessing web or server-based data, but it can also run standalone programs.

Industries that might use this kind of product include medical care, warehousing, manufacturing, logistics, hospitality and on-site maintenance, among others.

The device certainly looks industrial-strength with its wraparound rubber protection. Advantech claims it can survive a fall from three feet onto concrete. It's also shock, dust and water-spill resistant.

Much of its resistance comes from rubber flaps that cover the I/O ports, but they're sometimes difficult to keep closed. There's an elasticised strap at the back to help prevent you dropping the 1.35kg, 295 by 235 by 28mm unit.

The 10.4in. TFT LCD touchscreen seems well protected with a solid surface but, of course, it's still the most vulnerable part. It's reasonably bright but with little backlight adjustment, and reflections show fairly easily - although it's still readable in moderate daylight and should suit a variety of conditions.

Screen resolution is 800 by 600 pixels (SVGA) and you can rotate the image from landscape to portrait.

Another important feature is the four-cell Li-ion battery. It's difficult to sort out the manufacturer's claims for battery life because its information alternatively quotes five hours and over six hours, but either way, it's significantly more than a notebook PC's.

Larger eight-cell, eight-hour and 10-hour batteries are available from the supplier. They charge in two hours and just under three hours respectively. The power monitor in the system tray usefully displays not only the percentage charge remaining, but also how long that's expected to last.

Since everything is stored in memory, the standard battery only lasts for one week with the power off, so you should regularly synchronise stored data with a PC. This can be done by infrared or USB 1.1.

Most communication is likely to be done wirelessly, though, and the MobiPanel 100 can ship with an 802.11b PC Card (an extra £89.99 ex. VAT).

Microsoft's Internet Explorer is pre-installed, as is Microsoft's RDP terminal server client for use with a Windows NT/2000 server. Many users, however, will want to build custom application solutions. You can also use other types of PC Card, such as a fax/modem. Pocket Word and PDF and image viewers are also supplied.

Connection ports are arranged much like a notebook PC's. At the top there's a Type II CompactFlash slot that can accommodate IBM Microdrives, an off (suspend) button, a software reset button and a retractable rubberised antenna that can be difficult to extract.

The left side has a Type II PC Card slot, mini VGA port, USB 1.1 port and the power jack. This USB 1.1 port is for Windows CE-compatible peripherals - USB synchronisation to a PC uses the docking port at the back and a special adaptor cable.

The right side has a PS/2 mouse/keyboard connector, a serial port, an infrared port and external speaker and microphone jacks. The serial port is configurable by DIP switches to RS-232/422/485. Speakers are at the bottom edge of the unit.

The stylus (two supplied) is larger than those that come with PDAs, but it's still thinner than a pen. There's a slot in the top for storage, but it can stick in there and be difficult to pull out.

Five programmable function keys give quick access to applications and there are direction keys and an Enter key. Pressing any will turn the unit on.

The MobiPanel 100 has a 206MHz StrongARM SA-1110 processor with 32MB of Flash Rom and 64MB of SDRam (128MB is an extra £45 ex. VAT). The Ram is split between program and data storage, while the ratio is adjusted through a simple slider under the control panel.

A range of accessories is available, including a desktop cradle (£87.99 ex. VAT). This has two USB peripheral ports, a USB type B port (to PC), an RJ-45 Ethernet connection and PS/2 ports for mouse and keyboard.

A keyboard is desirable for all but the lightest data entry, as the PenPower handwriting recognition software is slow and inaccurate. The mounted screen angle is non-adjustable, but a keyboard and mouse will let you sit further away, improving readability.

Advantech's MobiPanel 100 combines ruggedness with good battery life in a highly portable product. It should be considered 'application ready', and will need custom or commercial data solutions to make it useful.

With a broadband gateway, it could even make a nifty, albeit expensive, wireless internet appliance for home browsing.

Fact file
Price: £1,051 (ex. VAT)
Contact: Advantech (01908) 618999
www.advantech.com

• OS Windows CE 3.0
• Processor 206MHz StrongARM 1110
• Memory 64MB of SDRam
• Graphics chipset n/a
• Hard disk n/a
• Optical drives n/a
• Display 10.4in. SVGA
• I/O Serial, PS/2, USB 1.1, infrared, mini VGA, Type II CompactFlash, Type II PC Card, speaker, microphone