PCs, c5, f5, motion, motion computing, semi-rugged, tablet pc, tablets

Motion Computing F5 Tablet is Highly Evolved Speak N' Spell

The latest semi-rugged tablet to hit the market, Motion Computing's F5, keeps a good idea alive: a built-in handle lets the butterfingeriest ~~extraterrestrials~~ field workers keep hold of their precious electronics.

The F5's magnesium frame, outdoor friendly display, resistance to dust and moisture and an easy-to-clean surface add to the semi-ruggedness of this Tablet PC. At 3lbs., it houses an HDD or an optional 32GB solid-state drive, a 2-megapixel camera, and, like its bright-red ancestor, a built-in mono speaker. There's no optical disc drive, though, as often is the case with these smaller tablets. It'll be priced from $2700 to $4000, not including the sweet dock, external keyboard or mounting hardware for the dashboard of your ~~intergalactic space saucer~~ emergency vehicle. [Motion Computing]

9:32 AM on Mon Mar 3 2008
By Wilson Rothman
3,080 views
11 comments

Comments

mthrndr at 10:42 AM on 03/03/08
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how about a hinged handle that folds into the back of the thing? it seems like that design wastes a lot of space that could be used for screen/ hardware.
Adamantite at 11:00 AM on 03/03/08
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I bet Motion wasn't expecting this kind of reception for their new tablet. Jkontherun called it yawn-worthy, Giz compares it to a Speak N' Spell...

Guess it'll be a fun day for their marketing department
ParJoe at 11:11 AM on 03/03/08
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Haha! I knew that tablet's shape reminded me of something!
Reilaos~ at 12:08 PM on 03/03/08
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@mthrndr: If it folded back, it'd still be taking up space...
Mag at 12:49 PM on 03/03/08
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My Eee can last me a while until these tablets become more affordable.

I guess my dream device would be a $400-$500 tablet PC that is the size of the Eee...
Reilaos~ at 01:12 PM on 03/03/08
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@margretli: When I dream, I like to give myself a pony. D:
Bokusatsu_Tenshi at 01:26 PM on 03/03/08
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Looks nice and all... but I'd rather have Speak 'n Spell, than Vista on that tablet.
No, seriously.
Bokusatsu_Tenshi at 01:27 PM on 03/03/08
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@Reilaos, Man of Destiny: Hey, get your hands off my pony! D:
mthrndr at 02:00 PM on 03/03/08
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@Reilaos, Man of Destiny: the handle would be hidden on the back of the device. It might take a small amount of space if it had a niche that it snapped into, but there wouldn't be a huge hole going through the thing.
StonegateGuy at 03:03 PM on 03/03/08
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This tablet was originally designed for the clinical/health care environment (the motion C5 - the first mobile clinical assistant). This is why the tablet looks the way it does, with no moving parts and very few openings (its semi-sealed design allows it to be easily cleaned with things like germicidal cloths and such to prevent the spread of germs between patients - a very important feature in the health care field) The hospital I work at recently trialed one (not bad for what we need it to do).

The F5 tablet is just a clone of the C5 with a few minor changes. The only differences are instead of a "disinfectant"-resistant resin they have a "chemical"-resistant chasse (from the looks of website the only difference is the word they used) The F5 comes with the "view anywhere" display & a 3 year warranty standard (they are options on the c5), and they have added a Ev-Do network card.
odysseus at 05:13 PM on 03/03/08
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We've been trialling some Motion tablets at work, and they come out streets ahead of the Toshiba's and others we've trialled as well. These guys know how to build hardware, but sadly we're having to go with the big boys as management is concerned over Motions ability to build and support the 1,000's we'll be needing over the next few years. A shame really.