Motion intros new Tablet PC with Intel Centrino technology

- Gary Thayer, Editor

May 17, 2005 -- (MobileVillage) -- Motion Computing today unveiled the LE1600, a ruggedized slate tablet PC that has the latest generation of Intel Centrino (Sonoma) mobile technology. The new LE1600 also promises to run for a full day without a battery recharge.

The clipboard-sized Motion LE1600 Tablet PC weighs 3.1 pounds and features a slim, tapered design, about a quarter-pound lighter and a quarter-inch thinner than the Motion M1400. The slate tablet runs Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 and is built-to-order per customer specification.

The Motion LE1600 is one of the first slate tablet PCs to ship with the latest generation of Intel Centrino mobile technology (formerly codenamed Sonoma), including the Low Voltage (LV) Intel Pentium M processor 1.5GHz, the Mobile Intel 915GMS Express Chipset, and the Intel PRO/Wireless 2200 BG Network connection.

The LE1600 also includes 512MB of upgradeable 400MHz DDRII memory and a 30GB hard drive, upgradeable to 60GB. The hard drive is a shock-mounted 1.8" design.

The LE1600 comes in a magnesium alloy lower housing and carbon fiber upper housing. The tablet promises up to a full work day of computing time without recharging, according to Motion. The standard battery provides more than three hours of use, and a slim, optional extended battery attaches flat against the back of the LE1600. When used in tandem, the two batteries are hot-swappable and can provide up to eight hours of computing time – more than double the battery life of the M1400.

Building on the features of the M-series of tablet PCs, the Motion LE1600 includes proprietary Speak Anywhere technology. The LE1600 automatically switches between two of three microphones, depending on screen orientation, for high-fidelity voice and sound input. Speak Anywhere "locks in" on a user's voice, cancels out background noise, and enables accurate voice recognition and speech-to-text transcription in a range of applications from voice control and command to dictation to VoIP applications, according to Motion.

The LE1600's standard screen offers a 12.1-inch, high-resolution XGA viewing area and viewing angles of up to 180 degrees to simplify collaboration. The new slate tablet also features a Digital Video Interface (DVI-D) port for output to high-resolution flat-panel monitors and projectors. The optional View Anywhere display technology promises clarity and visibility at nearly all angles, with a 10-to-1 reduction in sunlight reflection compared to Motion's standard tablet PC displays, according to the company.

For users who prefer a keyboard, Motion also offers a new keyboard peripheral is available for the LE1600. The keyboard also serves as a mini-dock and charging station for the tablet PC.

Other improvements include:

• Gigabit Ethernet to provide faster wired network connections and protect IT investment
  
• Embedded Wi-Fi supporting latest standards and security protocols (802.11a/b/g)
  
• Embedded Bluetooth for wireless peripheral connections
  
• IrDA for quick wireless synchronization with PDAs and SmartPhones
  
• New ergonomic pen with improved weight balance and integrated eraser
  
• Motion accessory cable which enables powering an external DVD drive directly from the tablet
  

The LE1600 offers several security capabilities. An embedded Trusted Platform Module enables hardware-protected encryption, as well as secures digital certificate storage for authentication and secure e-mail applications. The built-in fingerprint reader uses biometric data to prevent unauthorized access to system resources and encrypted data. The LE1600 also features the new Motion Security Center for quick access to the tablet PC’s authentication, password and encryption applications.

The Motion LE1600 is available from Motion's international resellers or at the MotionComputing web site for US $2,199. Motion is also selling the LE1600c – a Celeron version – for $1,899. The LE1600 comes with a standard one-year limited warranty – extendable to two or three years.

Recent Related Stories:

Gateway, MPC add widescreen notebooks

Kontron adds newest rugged mobile computer

Back to MobileVillage News Page