Affordable vehicle and fixed-mount industrial computer comes in three sizes
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

Laporte, Indiana based Data Ltd Inc. was founded in the early 1990s as a manufacturer and reseller of wireless data collection devices. They carry mobile computers, vehicle mounted terminals, handhelds, scanners and rugged ultra-mobile tablets like the DLI 8200 shown here.

Data Ltd designed the DLI 8200 for jobs such as vehicle-mount data collection, for dockside data terminal duty, or for use as a machine operator control panel. The platform comes in three sizes with displays measuring 10.4, 12.1 and 15.1 inches diagonally. Weight ranges from just four pounds for the smallest version to about 7.25 pounds for the largest one. Even the 15.1-inch model is just 2.375 inches thick, making the DLI 8200 very easy to mount almost anywhere.

From a technology point of view, the DLI 8200 is an x86 architecture device based on the popular and very frugal AMD LX800 chip. Storage can be a 40GB shock-mounted hard disk or up to 16GB of Compact Flash. The choice of storage medium will likely depend on the OS platform chosen. As is, Data Ltd offers the machine with either Windows XP Pro, Windows Embedded, Wndows CE 6.0 or Linux.

The DLI 8200 offers good connectivity with two USB ports, a serial port, a PS/2 keyboard/mouse port and an RJ45 LAN jack, all implemented with IP67 locking connectors. Additional ports are available as an option. The device comes with two PC Card Type II slots.

On the wireless connectivity side, there is 802.11a/b/g WLAN, Bluetooth Class 2, as well as optional WWAN and embedded SiRFstarIII GPS functionality. A carrier-independent integrated cellular card (including support for external antenna) allows users to pick the cellular provider best suited for their needs and location.

Like many panel-mount systems, the DLI 8200 can either use an AC adapter, or use 12-20Volt DC via a DC converter, use a 12-72VDC vehicle power adapter. A 45-minute Li-Ion battery backup is also available.

As for ruggedness, the DLI 8200 can operate within temperatures ranging from 14 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. If that is not enough, a low-temp option is available. As a vehicle-mount system, the device passes the requisite vibration, shock and impact resistance requirements.