November 2002

A rugged portable Windows CE-based PC called the Stryder which specifically targets mobile users has been launched in the UK by Canadian manufacturer Mentor Engineering.

It's a hybrid device, combining the attributes of a tablet and a handheld, and offers the unusual option of an internal DVD-ROM drive, allowing users to view very large data files such as engineering drawings or large-scale maps. It's being pitched as an all-in-one solution, and has a built-in credit-card reader as standard. It can also have an internal GPS unit and aerial, as well as an infra-red interface and a data modem suitable for GPRS, Mobitex or satellite communications.

The processor is the ubiquitous Intel StrongARM running at 206MHz, and it has 64MB of RAM and 32MB of Flash ROM. The screen is a 6.4in back-lit TFT display.

Mentor already markets an in-cab computer called the MDC in the UK, offering extensive connectivity options in a compact unit with a mono LCD text display. This, too, can include GPS and credit-card slot. Supporting its hardware, Mentor offers a middleware software suite called Xgate.