Xplore launches new rugged tablet PC family

Xplore Technologies Corp., the next-generation rugged tablet PC provider for domestic and global markets, has announced the launch of its new family of Xtreme Tablet computers. Representing the fifth generation of its iX104 line, the iX104C5s are powerful, rugged and sunlight-readable.
 
"Today, this line of iX104C5s sets new benchmarks for rugged tablet computing," said Mark Holleran, President and Chief Operating Officer of Xplore. "When you are working in extreme conditions, you need the toughest 'rugged' you can get. That's Xplore."

 
The iX104C5 family of tablet PCs, powered by the Intel Core i7 processor, was developed with customer input from a variety of industries where end-users work in the most demanding environments such as utilities, warehousing/logistics, public safety, field service, transportation, manufacturing, route delivery, military and homeland security. Xplore's 'Voice of the Customer' product development methodology is what drives the engineering and implementation of critical rugged, wireless, performance and expansion capabilities. Differentiating features added as a result of customer feedback include the tool-less removable dual solid state drive (SSD) module, tool-less access to the SIM and microSD ports, and an ingress protection rating of IP-67 for submersion in water.
 
"Xplore has earned a unique place in the history of tablet PCs," said Philip Sassower, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Xplore Technologies. "Today, we are making history once again with the launch of the iX104C5 at a time when tablets are experiencing exponential growth and recognition."
 
Sassower noted that a recent report by Venture Development Corporation (VDC) projected that the rugged mobile computing market would grow to US$6.8 billion by 2013 and the portion of the market in which Xplore's products compete, to $3.5 billion during the same period. Xplore shares a unique place in the development of tablet PCs. More than a decade before the iPad' existed, Xplore Technologies began developing first-generation rugged pen tablets for workers in warehousing, transportation, utilities and public safety organisations.
 
In 2002 the company joined forces with Microsoft when it introduced its Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. Xplore continues to partner with Microsoft in long-term planning for the nextgeneration tablet computing needs of its customers.
 
"As businesses increasingly use mobile technologies, the market will reward OEMs like Xplore that develop products that fulfill requirements unique to a sector, industry or profession," said Eddie O'Brien, Microsoft U.S. OEM vice president. "With the launch of its iX104C5 family of rugged tablet PCs, Xplore has again demonstrated its ability to innovate on the Windows 7 platform in anticipation of the growing needs of its customers."
 
"With class leading performance as well as Intel Hyper-Threading technology, the Intel Core i7 processor enables ruggedised tablets such as Xplore's iX104C5 to provide outstanding productivity and reliability in the harshest of environments," said Ryan Brown, product marketing manager for Intel Corporation's Embedded and Communications Group. Based on third-party certifications, Xplore's new iX104C5 tablet PC line surpasses the standards and specifications that are the measuring sticks for rugged tablet computers in today's marketplace.
 
Designing and building their computers for what they call 'Real World Rugged', the iX104C5 line is said to withstand operating seven-foot drops to plywood over concrete and operating four-foot drops directly to concrete. All models feature sunlightreadable displays and are the first tablet PCs with easy, tool-less access to internal storage for in-field upgrades or repairs. The iX104C5s are also certified for use in hazardous locations. The new line consists of five different models developed for use in a variety of environments and applications:
 
iX104C5 DMSR Dual-Mode Sunlight-Readable Xtreme Tablet
iX104C5 DM Dual-Mode Xtreme Tablet
iX104C5 DML Dual-Mode Lite Xtreme Tablet
iX104C5 M Military Xtreme Tablet
iX104C5 DMCR Dual-Mode Clean Room Xtreme Tablet
 
The iX104C5 DSMR Xtreme Tablet design implements an award-winning, best-in-class rugged display optically-engineered with AllVue Xtreme Technology; the latest Intel Core i7- 620UE processor; Windows 7 operating system; and are third-party certified to meet Military-Standard-810G (MIL-STD-810G), Ingress Protection (IP) 67, and hazardous location (HazLoc) standards.
 
"We began our company selling tablet PCs to forklift operators who were afraid of computers," says Holleran."Today, more than a decade later, there has been a fundamental paradigm shift toward tablet computing. It is an exciting time to be launching the iX104C5."
 
Key features of the iX104C5 DSMR Xtreme Tablet include:
Withstands operating drops from 7' (2.13m), and 4' (1.22m) direct to concrete.
AllVue Xtreme LCD technology for optimal viewing in all lighting conditions.
Auto-sensing dual-mode technology accepts both pen and finger touch inputs.  
Tool-less access to SSD, SIM, MicroSD, and battery.
Rapid field replacable input connectors, memory and wireless cards.
MIL-STD-810G and IP 67 compliance.
 Hazardous location certification.
 
Xplore's iX104C5 family of products also includes:

The iX104C5 DM Xtreme Tablet
Same rugged, performance and features as iX104C5 DMSR.
LCD is optimised for indoor and ambient outdoor light conditions.
High capacity long-life Li-Ion battery.
The iX104C5 DML Xtreme Tablet.
Same rugged characteristics as iX104C5 DMSR.
LCD optimised for indoor or ambient outdoor applications.
Solid cost-effective performance with Intel Celeron Dual-Core U3405 processor for less resource-intensive applications.
 
The iX104C5 M Xtreme Military Tablet
A tool-less field-repairable/field-upgradeable system.
A highly rugged, powerful and functional tablet.
Independently-tested specifically for mission-critical Military / Security applications.
Adaptable to most military vehicles from HMMWVs to MRAPs.
Custom military docking solution.
 
The iX104C5 DMCR Xtreme Clean Room Tablet
Designed for use in technology, pharmaceutical and food industries, as well as in other clean room environments.
Safe and effective performance and functionality with a custom-engineered chassis optimised for clean room operations designed to prevent pooling of contaminants and cleaning agents.
Dual-Mode input capabilities supports more precise inputs from either finger touch or active pen, all in a single unit with auto-switching capabilities.