Semi-rugged Tablet PC
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

The MARS-3100S is an industrial tablet computer made by Advantech, a Taiwanese embedded and industrial computing conglomerate. Founded in 1983, Advantech provides web-based technology, computing platforms and customization services in three business groups (embedded & industrial computing, eServices & applied computing, and industrial automation). Advantech has almost 3,500 employees, and operates a sales, marketing and support network in 18 countries. The company sells directly or works with third parties to provide complete computing solutions for various industries. These include medical computing, vehicle mounts, panels, rugged handhelds, and the industrial Tablet PC shown here.

The 3100S is a semi-rugged, fan-less tablet computer running Windows XP Embedded or XP Professional on a AMD LX800 processor. The standard version comes with XP Embedded on a 4GB CF card and 512MG of RAM. A hard disk version is also available. A powerful 40 watt-hour Li-Ion battery pack lasts up to four hours between charges.

The very solid device measures 11.5 x 8.8 inches, is about an inch and a half thick, and weighs 4.6 pounds -- relatively heavy. The 10.4-inch resistive touch screen display offers 800 x 600 SVGA resolution. The pictures above show what looks like a Wacom-style pen, but the active digitizer is only available on the slightly different 3100R model.

In the connectivity department, the handsomely designed MARS-3100S has standard 9-pin serial and 15-pin VGA ports, an RJ-45 LAN jack, a single USB port, and microphone and headset jacks. The device comes standard with 802.11a/b/g WiFi. Bluetooth Version 2 with EDR is optional, as are GSM/GPS/EDGE radio modules and a fingerprint scanner. All ports are sealed with rubber plugs.

A solid magnesium-alloy housing and rubber bumpers let the 3100S survive 3-foot drops and pass a variety of MIL-STD-810F tests for vibration, shock, humidity, altitude and water/dust resistance. The operating temperature range is 32 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit and Advantech claims IP54-equivalent sealing.

The 3100S is operated either via pen, touch, a four-way navigation disc or an optional external keyboard. There are three programmable function keys, a screen rotation key, and what Advantech calls a logon button. A variety of docks and mounting solutions are available.

A few years ago, devices like the Advantech 3100S would have been called WebPads (remember Microsoft's "Mira" remote display technology?). Today, a new generation of silent, fan-less tablets with very power-efficient processors are being used for specific light-duty industrial and other mobile appplications where a full Windows implementation on a Core 2 Duo procssor is not required. As is, the MARS-3100S is a handy mobile platform for applications such as manufacturing, warehousing, shop floor maintenance, field service, transportation, law enforcement, fire or other emergency services.