Rugged wide-screen PDA
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

When the NetPad appeared several years ago amidst a flood of relatively generic industrial handhelds, it was unique and exceptional. However, while the very rugged netpad continues to be an interesting option, what was once a futuristic device now lingers in the past with an outdated processor, and little in the way of modern expansion and connectivity options. The original Symbian/EPOC OS has given way to Windows CE .NET 4.2 and the netpad is still a very tough, no-nonsense, and highly configurable tool for the job. Few competitors can match its drop and operating temperature specs and IP67 rating. The netpad's large 640x240 display (with just 256 colors, though), rugged design, and acceptable performance still make it an option for field service, field data collection, route sales, and similar applications.