Sept/Oct 2003

As predicted in our last issue, LXE has pushed the technology behind its MX5 handheld computer a stage further with the launch of its MX6, which targets a wide range of transport, warehousing and retail applications.

Its subtly contoured body is physically smaller and sleeker than its older stablemate's, although with its magnesium-alloy and engineering-grade plastics case it is also tough (it has an IP64 rating). It is also much lighter than the MX5, coming in at around 560g compared with 850g.

It has a battery-saving Intel Xscale PXA255 processor, which runs at a full 400MHz compared with the MX5's 206MHz.

The MX6 maintains the use of the Windows Pocket PC operating system, taking this forward to the 2002 flavour. As typical with such systems, it comes with 64MB of RAM and 32MB of non-volatile memory.

Among its selling points is the fact that it is available with integrated Adaptus imaging technology for instant "point and shoot" one- and two-dimensional barcode scanning, and it can even take photographs. LXE says the solid-state imaging components behind this system are five times less likely to fail than a laser engine, offering greater reliability and lower total cost of ownership. The unit is also voice-enabled.

Connectivity is provided by a Secure Digital (SD) memory slot to accommodate additional memory in highly compact form. The unit also offers full support for 802.11 Wi-Fi networking, and comes with USB and serial ports.

The MX6 is offered with a full 56-key alphanumeric keypad or a 35-key numeric "shifted alpha" keypad, and has a large, quarter-VGA display with touch screen capability. This is back-lit, unlike the MX5's front-lit display.