Sometimes it's amazing how you can have things right under your face and not recognize them. I've been hearing all the buzz lately about Origami and Intel UMPC and getting really excited about some new tech about to come out.

Today a software vendor was on site installing a piece of software on one of our servers. She pulled out one of the sweetest things I've seen in a while. It was a Motion Computing LS800 Series Tablet PC

I haven't been a fan of tablet PC's of late, but this just might change my mind. Yes, it is too big to fit in your pocket, but it is much smaller than any tablet running Windows XP Tablet edition that I've seen and it's packed to the hilt. Look what's under the 8.94" x 6.69" x 0.87" hood:

Chassis
Carbon Fiber with Selective Metal Plating
Operating System
Microsoft® Windows® XP Tablet PC Edition
Processors/Cache
Intel® Centrino® Mobile Technology with the Intel® Pentium® M Processor featuring 1.20GHz Ultra Low Voltage 753 (2MB of L2 cache and 400MHz FSB)
Chipset
Mobile Intel 915GMS Express Chipset
Display
8.4" SVGA TFT LCD w Ambient Light Sensor (ALS)
Digitizer Pen
• Active digitizer pen (no battery required)
• Right mouse click button
• Integrated eraser
Graphics
• Intel 915GMS Extreme Graphics controller
• Rotation 0°, 90°, 180°, 270°
Video RAM
• Supports Intel Dynamic Video Memory Technology (DVMT 3.0) with memory scaleable to a maximum 128MB
Audio Controller
• AC 97 audio codec
System Memory
• DDR2 400 SDRAM
- Base configuration of 256MB
- OR available with 512MB
- OR available with 1GB
System Storage
• 1.8" Hard Disk Drive (HDD) with 20GB, 30GB or 60GB capacities
• PCI bus master enhanced IDE
• Supports Ultra ATA 66/100
Communications
• Integrated Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200BG 802.11b/g networking
• Integrated Ethernet LAN controller with RJ-45 connector
• Integrated Bluetooth®
Audio
• Motion Speak Anywhere® technology
- Dual microphone array design
- Knowles Acoustics IntelliSonic software
• Integrated speakerI/O Ports
• Universal Audio Jack supporting:
- Microphone-in
- Headphone-out
• Two USB 2.0 ports
• IrDA port
• External VGA port
• RJ-45 connector
• Docking connector
• DC power in
Expansion
• Secure Digital (SD) slot
Dimensions
• 8.94" x 6.69" x 0.87" (227mm x 170mm x 22mm)
Security
• Integrated Fingerprint Reader
• TCG Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.1
• Universal lock slot
• Motion Security Center
Weight
• 2.2 lbs. (1Kg)1
Battery
• Lithium-ion battery with 29WHr capacity
Battery Charging Time
• Approximate charging times:
- 2.5 hours (Tablet PC on) 2
- 2.2 hours (Tablet PC off) 2
System Status LEDs
• Power on/off
• Battery status
• Hard Disk Drive (HDD) activity
• Wireless activity - Bluetooth and 802.11
Control Buttons
• One 5-way directional control button
• One function button, one programmable escape button and two programmable buttons
• Secure Attention Sequence (SAS) button
• Wireless on/off button
AC Adapter
• 50W universal, 2-pin jack
• 100-240V 1.5a, 50-60Hz
Software
• Motion Dashboard control panel
• Motion Security Center
• Motion/Softex OmniPass™ Security software
• Infineon® Security Platform Tools
• Toshiba® Bluetooth Software
• Adobe® Acrobat® Reader
• Windows Journal
• Sticky Notes
• Pen/button-based setup utility

Hers was tricked out with the Motion MS Office Pak
It's very light at 2.2 lbs (much less the the daily planer/notebook I carry around with me). The display is awesome and she had a bluetooth head set connected to it. The speech recognition/control was very good. The pen and ink support in the MS Office applications made me weep. She claims battery life is about 5 hours constant on (about the same as my 4700). It's pricey though at $1800.00 but maybe when it's time to replace my laptop at home, this just might be the "bees knees" .

Tablets are great toys. I've had my used TC1000 for 1 1/2 years now and would never consider switching to a laptop.

I'd love to upgrade to an LS800 but can't afford it right now.

Chris...

 

It is pretty pricey. Maybe the new UMPCs will be more affordable.

I have the bigger brother LS1600 and I can't say enough about Tablet PC.

I went to the Motion Computing website and looked at the LS1600. It's a very nice device. I guess what I really like about the LS800 is the size. I could see me giving up my 4700 for this since I usually carry it in a Franklin-Covey Executive/Monarch size binder when I am out of the office anyway. The LS800 is about the size of the Franklin-Covey Classic size binder (but thinner) and has all the features of the larger tablets.

I was talking to the vendor that's on site again this morning and she says she thinks Motion Computing is about to offer an LS800 with built-in GPS, but she isn't sure. That would be the hook for me for sure. (She doesn't work for Motion Computing, but the company she works for uses Motion Computing products exclusively for their field folks).

Looks yummy! I absolutely love my M205, tablets are great!

Current PDA/phones:

T-Mobile G1

My sordid past:

Kyocera 6035, Kyocera 7135, Samsung i700, iPAQ 6315, iPAQ hx4705, Motorola a630, SE T610, BB 7100t, iPAQ rx3115, JAM 850, BB 8700g, Samsung i320, Motorola v360, imate KJAM, TMO SDA, TMO MDA, TMO Wing, AT&T Tilt

   

I was debating between the two and opted for the larger model just because I was able to get a great deal for a 3 month "new" unit from another forum.

if you're serious about the LS800, go to http://www.alltp.com/ and check out their 48 hours demo.

You sign the contract, pay for the shipping and they'll ship you the unit.

*** I'm not affiliated with alltp in anyway ***

I just might have to do this. I want to wait and see what happens with UMPC and Origami first.

I am still scraping up my pennies and waiting to see what the release of the UMPCs later this summer will do to prices, but here's another article about the LS800.

http://www.technewsworld.com/story/9...-Touting.xhtml

Some discussion (arguing) points:

"For one thing, it's a real tablet, not a laptop with a swiveling screen masquerading as a tablet. To my mind, it takes courage to totally cut the cord to the keyboard, as well as a bit of attitude that isn't found in the PC industry these days outside of Apple. "

"You'll be surprised how easy it is to make the transition from mouse to pen -- especially if you've ever worked with a handheld computer -- and maybe a little amazed. The LS800's digital pen is a stylus on steroids. "

"If you work in an occupation where keyboards are persona non grata, but you want the power and functionality of a Windows-based computer, the LS800 is a tiny gem worth eyeballing."

Source: TechNewsWorld

I don't think you'll be disappointed with the LS800. Everything I've read has been quite positive.

I wouldn't mind trying out one myself, but I'll probably upgrade to an HP TC1100 with a 1.2 GHz, simply because if shares most of the same accessories that I already have for my TC1000.

Chris...

 

I've been a bit slow to get the LS800 because of overheating issues I have read about... and the fact that I already use a tablet...$2k is alot to pay for something that is similar to my current model

Tablet PC Buzz

Current PDA/phones:

T-Mobile G1

My sordid past:

Kyocera 6035, Kyocera 7135, Samsung i700, iPAQ 6315, iPAQ hx4705, Motorola a630, SE T610, BB 7100t, iPAQ rx3115, JAM 850, BB 8700g, Samsung i320, Motorola v360, imate KJAM, TMO SDA, TMO MDA, TMO Wing, AT&T Tilt