Jan/Feb 2006

A ruggedised PDA-style handheld computer that extends retail industry functionality to the mobile market has been launched by Casio. The company says it offers "the mobility and durability needed for a portable computing terminal in extreme working environments".

In looks, the IT-600 falls in with the modern PDA-style approach, using a compact, lightweight casing incorporating a 3.7-inch transflective VGA TFT colour LCD screen, and weighing just 322g. However, it is said to have passed the standard 1.2m drop test, and has an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance.

The underlying processor is the ubiquitous Intel PXA270 running at a respectable 520MHz. This is supported by 64MB of RAM and 128MB of ROM memory, with an SD slot for memory expansion. The operating system is Windows CE 5.0 .Net.

Reflecting its retail heritage, the unit is strong on barcode functionality. The integral laser scanner reads most standard barcode formats, and there is an optional beam swing angle control function, which is said to promote precise scanning. The unit also contains a vibration scan confirmation system to help ensure accurate scanning in noisy environments.

 

There is an optional 1-megapixel colour camera with Casio-developed digital lighting software, which is said to allow users to record critical information in varying lighting conditions without the need for a separate camera or flash.

Bluetooth wireless connectivity is built in as standard, and 802.11b/g wireless networking is optional.

Also on offer is a high-capacity 3700mAh battery, which in some applications is said to have an impressive potential to run up to 20 hours on a single charge.