I also do quite a bit of work with the Toughbook... have both that and a
Dolphin on my desk at the moment.
The problem with the Toughbook is it is a 206 StrongARM so you have to be
extra careful to code for performance. They are a nice durable unit too.
Haven't played with a GPRS equiped unit yet.
The sybol to look at IMHO is the new ppt8800
http://www.symbol.com/products/mobile_computers/mobile_ppt8800_ppc2003.html
It's ruggedised in a small case- which is kinda nice. A birdie tells me that
HHP will have a similar form factor out soon.
Here is something I posted a couple of days to our local CF user list
But, there are LOTS of devices around - Chris can expand on that -
with all sorts of crazy attachments, like barcode scanners, keyboards,
one that looks like little guns, etc.
More expensive, tho, but they are usually IP rated (ie, drop them,
wash them, swim with them, run over them with a tank), so ya gets what
ya pays for..... (and, they are usually 400mhz Xscale....)
OOOhh.... Toys... *eyes light up*
I'm about to get a couple of sites dedicated to these sorts of gadgets up
and running... But until then... Take a look at the following devices
For Keyboard with a Serial Port I quite like the Panasonic Toughbook CF-1.
It only has a Strong Arm 206 on it but it is a VERY rugged device (passes
what I call my 'Smack a Doberman in the Nose with the Device'
test that we use for electricity meter readers). Barcode would be scanned by
either a CF card or a serial wand. They are around $2500.
Talk to Dave Grebenar @
www.mec.co.nz. Let him know that I sent you and
he'll probably let you have a loaner for a few days to try. We have rolled
out significant CF applications on these devices without too much trouble.
Another one that we are doing quite a bit of work on at the moment are the
HHP Dolphins. These are the Rolls Royce device with more options and extras
than your average massage parlour. They are very tough (we're giving them to
Forestry contractors...) and have both Keyboard and Barcode scanner options.
You can get them with a linear imager barcode
scanner- in non g33k speak this means that the barcode is read by taking a
photo of it and working it out from there
http://www.datacol.co.nz/why linear.html. Place to get these from is
www.datacol.co.nz. Guy to talk to is Andrew Craig. He has some eval machines
too so let him know I sent you and get him to let you play with an eval
device. These machines are very $$$ and pretty much everything is a very $$$
optional extra- including cradles. Only downside is I think they are still
PPC2002 devices (but with Xscale 400s in em). I have been told that PPC2003
upgrade is due April
Finally for a good middle of the road bar code option take a look at the new
Symbol PT8800 series. I haven't done a deployment on these yet but have had
one in my hot litle hands and they are a very good value for money package
with numeric keypad and barcode scanner (1D laser only though). Can't
remember who is best for Symbol in NZ at the moment- Nic might know. They
have multiple distributors I think.
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Kognition Consulting Limited - Thought Meets Technology
Chris J.T. Auld - Managing Director
Microsoft MVP (Windows Mobile Devices)
Phone: +64 3 453 0064
Mobile: +64 21 500 239
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