Nov/Dec 2003

Itronix

Our impression

Tablet PCs have long been one of the holy grails of the computing industry, representing a kind of digital notepad and pen. Overcoming the numerous technical issues has taken time, but advances in hardware, combined with a Tablet PC version of the Microsoft Windows XP operating system, could make the tablet a viable alternative to a notebook or ruggedised mobile computer.

Itronix, renowned for its ruggedised GoBook notebooks, has now added a tablet model to the range. It thinks the GoBook Tablet will complement the notebook and FEX models for some service applications. The new model is aimed at operations where mobile workers spend a significant amount of time gathering and distributing information on paper, which then has to be input into word-processing documents, spreadsheets, email messages or other files.

 

Itronix's tablet is a slate-style model, which has a liquid-crystal screen with a PC motherboard and hard drive beneath (others have a clamshell design with an integral keyboard). The 8.4in screen is contained in a case that measures 10.6in by 7in (270mm by 184mm) and is just 1.65in (42mm) deep. It's this exceptional portability (the GoBook Tablet weighs just 1.7kg) that makes tablets so appealing and user-friendly. It comes with a hand-strap, shoulder strap and carrying case.

Like other GoBook models, the Tablet PC is designed to meet US Military 810F test specifications. It has a die-cast magnesium casing and sealed I/O ports. It works in operating temperatures ranging from minus 20 deg to plus 60 deg C.

It can support up to three wireless networks concurrently, including 802.11b wireless LAN, Bluetooth, and wireless WAN technologies such as CDMA and GPRS. Itronix says this integration is important for maintaining seamless, wireless connectivity and communication when users are moving from one location to another.

The GoBook tablet has an Intel ultra-low voltage 866-MHz mobile Pentium III processor. A 30B hard drive is standard, along with 640 MB of SDRAM, and expandable memory modules are available.

Like most tablets, the GoBook Tablet uses Windows XP Tablet PC operating system - a superset of Windows XP Professional. Tablet PC's added features include an interface for entering data using a tablet pen, an ultra-light form factor, and handwriting and speech recognition capabilities.

The display looks like a larger version of a PDA screen, but the screen is not touch-sensitive. Instead it has an electromagnetic digitiser which accepts input only from a special pen containing an electromagnetic coil. This is an important difference from conventional PDAs, because it lets you rest your arm on the tablet without inadvertently activating any programs or commands. You can also use the pen to move the cursor without making direct physical contact with the screen surface.

With XP Tablet you can use the pen to input either text or free-style handwriting using what Microsoft calls digital ink. Digital ink is stored as a series of complex equations called Bezier curves, which means they can be contained in very small files. The "ink" used in XP Tablet flows smoothly and rapidly on the screen. It's not quite like using pen or paper (especially if you write very quickly), but it comes pretty close. You can choose the colour and thickness of the ink, and you can pick styles and use highlighters.

To make the most of digital ink, Microsoft has added a new application to XP Tablet called Windows Journal. This is a note-taking utility that lets users write notes in their own handwriting. Because the ink is really data, users can convert their handwriting into text, and add drawings or other graphics. Journal performs background handwriting recognition on ink, so you can search for a word or phrase in any of the handwritten ink files stored on the hard drive. You can output these files to email or other Microsoft applications. Journal also recognises hand-drawn shapes, and can convert them into common shapes (it managed to recognise and convert my own very imperfect circle.)

Tablet PC also includes support for "gestures" - symbols which user draws on the screen and the computer interprets as commands. The pen can also be used for the same functions as a mouse - activities such as moving through user interfaces, selecting tools from menu bars, moving and resizing objects and activating programs.

GoBook Tablet PCs will have list price of £1,935, inclusive of a three-year warranty.

Our verdict

The Itronix Tablet PC is certainly portable. It's sleek and light, yet substantial enough to make you believe it would survive dropping. If you are used to keyboard input, you'll need some practice with the XP Tablet operating system to get comfortable with it. While the handwriting-to-text conversion program is better than others I've tried, it's still a bit hit-and-miss at first, so it's a question of developing enough trust in the XP Tablet and Journal to save handwritten notes and emails and retrieve them again.