Mini Tablet targets wider market

Motion Computing last week introduced a lightweight miniature Tablet PC, which the firm believes will attract more companies to the platform than other, bulkier systems.

The Motion LS800 weighs a kilogram and is about half the size of the LE1600, which the firm launched in May. Like that system, the LS800 is a keyboard-free slate model, designed for pen input.

However, the new model matches the specification of many larger Tablet PCs with a 1.2GHz ultra-low voltage Pentium M processor and 256MB or 512MB memory. It also ships with Bluetooth and 802.11a/b/g wireless LAN capability as standard, plus the built-in fingerprint scanner and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) of its sibling.

Elizabeth Clark, director of product planning at Motion, said that the LS800 was the right size to be cradle mounted in delivery vans and other environments where devices such as PDAs are typically used. It is also small enough to fit into a lab coat pocket, she added, making it attractive in existing Tablet PC markets such as healthcare.

"The key is it's a complete [Windows] XP solution, but can go into areas now served by less capable devices," said Motion's business development manager, Andy Toal. "It's a new format between the PDA and other Tablet PCs, which are too large for certain user groups."

Because it has the computing power to handle computer-aided design (CAD) programs, the LS800 could be used by engineers to sketch solutions while on a project site, Clark said, or as a reference tool for looking up design schematics.

Motion offers its View Anywhere display technology as an option, which substantially improves viewing in outdoor light conditions.

A number of accessories will be made available for the LS800, including a Mobile Dock that acts as both a port replicator and desktop stand; a Bump Case that lets the system be carried from a shoulder strap; a USB DVD drive; and a Bluetooth keyboard.

As with other tablet models, Motion's new LS800 runs Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, which has features to support pen input and handwriting recognition. Prices start at £1,095 + VAT.