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6 best tablets for replacing your laptop computer

As tablets get lighter, faster and more popular, people are increasingly asking whether they should ditch their laptops and make the switch to tablets.

While there's still no such thing as a 'laptop killer' tablet, advancements in technology have largely leveled the playing field between the two popular portable computers. But distinctions remain. Laptops are still seen mostly as mobile personal computers, while tablets are viewed as having less computing power but more 'hip' factor.

There are some areas in which tablets can't really compete with laptops, such as gaming, presentation, creative endeavors and research. But that's not stopping many people, especially casual computer users, from switching from laptops to tablets. Plus, tablets do enjoy advantages over laptops in some areas, like music production, DJing and transferring drawings into design software and programs.

Here are 6 of the best tablets if you're considering replacing your laptop:

6. Microsoft Surface Pro 2: The original Surface Pro gets the pro upgrade treatment with improved speed, longer battery life, a current-generation Haswell processor and a backlit keyboard. It is relatively heavy compared to other tablets and the 64GB base model could do with a storage upgrade. Overall, this Windows 8.1 tablet is a winner, but with prices starting at $899, it's far from cheap.

5. Microsoft Surface 2: This Windows 8 tablet features a bright screen, an outstanding pen, touch and type cover keyboards and great versatility. On the downside, it's heavy, it's battery doesn't last as long as many competitors' and there's no where to tuck that awesome pen. But as a PC replacement, it's positively light, versatile and relatively inexpensive at $599.

4. Dell XPS 18: The XPS 18 offers all-in-one PC versatility in a portable 18-inch tablet. It's one of the thinnest tablets available today and boasts amazing audio quality and battery life. That screen is a little small, however, and the display is a bit too reflective compared to other tablets. The external keyboard could be better too. Priced from $799.

3. ASUS Vivo Tab RT TF600T: This sleek, sturdy offering from Taiwan's Asus outshines Microsoft's Surface in camera performance, has a rich, bright screen and boasts best-in-class battery life when used with the keyboard dock. Windows RT is another bonus. The keyboard, however, is a bit too cramped and trackpad issues have been reported. Also, you'll need Mobile Dock or a dongle if you want USB capability. With prices starting at $299, it's a great value.

2. Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014): Packing Android 4.3, the updated Note 10.1 is a processing powerhouse with a superb screen, good camera and amazing S Pen. That stylus is the reason why many people buy this tablet. Take away the pen and some of its competitors look like more attractive alternatives. From $399.

1. ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity TF700: Asus' ace-in-the-hole is its inspiring Infinity TF700. With a thin, lightweight aluminum body, lightning fast quad-core Tegra 3 processor, sensationally sharp screen and superlative rear camera, you'd expect a tablet like this to cost upwards of $500. But you'd be wrong; it's only $269 (an up), and the only real downside is lower than average battery life.

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Tablet Computers Procurement Category Market Research Report Now ...

April 28, 2014 --

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) April 28, 2014

Tablet computers have a buyer power score of 3.9 out of 5. This score reflects positive negotiation conditions for buyers resulting from suppliers' lower input costs and rising competition within the market. Falling semiconductor and electronic component prices, as well as lower wage costs, have lowered production costs within the tablet market over the past three years, thereby alleviating the pressure on suppliers to charge higher prices to maintain profit margins. Meanwhile, high competition between suppliers has compelled them to lower their prices to attract and retain business. Consequently, buyers are experiencing a favorable environment in which tablet prices are falling and suppliers have a strong incentive to negotiate, says IBISWorld business research analyst Daniel Krohn.

Although buyer leverage is projected to expand overall in the next three years, a variety of factors will likely mitigate its growth. In particular, increases in the number of adults between 20 to 64 years of age, consumer spending, and the percentage of services conducted online are all expected to drive up demand. Additionally, buyers' growing familiarity with tablets is expected to further boost demand over the next three years, Krohn says. Rising demand will offset competitor growth for suppliers over the next three years and mitigate falling prices.

The type of supplier that buyers select can affect their buyer power. Buyers can usually opt to purchase tablets from either manufacturers or wholesalers, regardless of their order volume. While low profit margins prevent either supplier type from providing substantial volume discounts, manufacturers typically charge lower prices. However, wholesalers, offering a broader range of products, and will generally provide more opportunities for buyers to obtain bundling discounts and spread shipping costs over multiple product purchases. Consequently, buyers requiring only tablet computers will often be afforded more buyer power when purchasing from manufacturers, while those requiring multiple products will benefit more from procuring through an electronic wholesaler. Major vendors include Apple Inc., Amazon, Samsung and CDW. For more information, visit IBISWorlds Tablet Computers procurement category market research report page.

Follow IBISWorld on Twitter: http://ift.tt/UiKiKB. Like IBISWorld on Facebook: http://ift.tt/UiKiKC.

IBISWorld Procurement Report Key Topics

This report is intended to assist buyers of tablet computers. Tablet computers, or tablets, are portable, personal computers contained on a single surface, requiring the use of a finger or stylus to operate rather than a keyboard or mouse. Often, tablets are equipped with features such as a camera, microphone, accelerometer and a touch screen interface. This report excludes personal desktop computers, laptops and smartphones. Executive Summary Pricing Environment Price Fundamentals Benchmark Price Pricing Model Price Drivers Recent Price Trend Price Forecast Product Characteristics Product Life Cycle Total Cost of Ownership Product Specialization Substitute Goods Regulation Quality Control Supply Chain & Vendors Supply Chain Dynamics Supply Chain Risk Imports Competitive Environment Market Share Concentration Market Profitability Switching Costs Purchasing Process Buying Basics Buying Lead Time Selection Process Key RFP Elements Negotiation Questions Buyer Power Factors Key Statistics

About IBISWorld Inc. IBISWorld is one of the world's leading publishers of business intelligence, specializing in Industry research and Procurement research. Since 1971, IBISWorld has provided thoroughly researched, accurate and current business information. With an extensive online portfolio, valued for its depth and scope, IBISWorlds procurement research reports equip clients with the insight necessary to make better purchasing decisions, faster. Headquartered in Los Angeles, IBISWorld Procurement serves a range of business, professional service and government organizations through more than 10 locations worldwide. For more information, visit http://ift.tt/UiKiKD or call 1-800-330-3772.

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Tablet computer web browsing by older people surges

The number of people over 65 years old accessing the internet has jumped by more than a quarter in the past 12 months, fuelled by a surge in older people using tablet computers.

A report by media regulator Ofcom called Adults' Media Use and Attitudes found that the proportion of 65- to 74-year-olds accessing the web with a tablet jumped from 5% to 17% between 2012 and 2013.

This surge in tablet usage fuelled a wider boost in the proportion of people over 65 that are accessing the web, up 27% year-on-year to 42%.

While there has been an increase in internet usage by the over 65s, Ofcom found that the older generation are significantly less likely than other internet users to do a range of online activities, including banking (35% compared to 61%), watching or downloading TV programmes or films (25% v 40%) and visiting social network sites or apps (30% v 68%).

Ofcom also found that the over 65s spent less time surfing the web than other generations.

On average, over 65s spend an average of nine hours 12 minutes online a week, which is dwarfed by the average of 24 hours and 12 minutes spent by 16- to 24-year-olds online.

On average, the majority of over 65s use the internet to carry out just two online activities, browsing websites and using emails, which is significantly less than the nine online activities carried out by the majority of adult internet users.

Across devices, the Ofcom research found that computers, laptops, or notebooks are still the most popular way to access the internet, with 78% accessing the internet by these means.

But the use of tablet computers to access the internet among adults has almost doubled from 16% in 2012 to 30% in 2013.

Other key findings from the Ofcom report were that while nearly half (48%) of smartphone users had downloaded an app, two-thirds of the apps downloaded were not regularly used.

On average, smartphone owners have 23 apps installed, but only 10 are used regularly. Comparing media, Ofcom found that TV continues to be the platform adults say they would miss most (42%) if it was taken away, however this varies by age.

For instance, people aged between 16-24 are more than three times more likely to miss their smartphone (47%) over TV (13%). But the majority of people aged 65 and over say they would miss watching TV the most (68%).

* To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email media@theguardian.com or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly 'for publication'. * To get the latest media news to your desktop or mobile, follow MediaGuardian on and . http://ift.tt/1hgKyaM For tablet reviews of the best budget tablets

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The 10 best 10in tablets you can buy in 2014

We review and rank the best 10in tablets you can buy in 2014. See also: The 25 best tablets of 2014.

The tablet market is mature but that also means its complex and the amount of devices on offer is somewhat overwhelming. We've whittled the huge market down to the best 10 tablets which have a 10in screen (or very close to that size anyway). Read: Best 8in tablet 2014.

While an onslaught of 7in devices have arrived, and plenty of other sizes too, the 10in tablet remains a strong option. A smaller device is easier to carry around and do simple tasks like reading and social networks. However, if you want to get work done, browse the web fluidly and watch videos without squinting then a 10in is the right size for you.

Apple's iPad remains the full-size tablet to beat with the latest Air model impressive all-round but there are plenty of Android rivals if you're not into iOS. There's also the iPad 4 which is still on sale at a lower price. Windows is still playing third fiddle with Nokia's Lumia 2520 just squeezing into the top 10. See also: Best Windows 8 tablets of 2013.

The 10 best 10in tablets you can buy in 2014

Some caveats still apply to Windows RT devices, but if you want an alternative to iPad and Android for a consumption device, the Lumia 2520 is that. It's well built, a great performer and - in red at least - it offers a stylish difference to the usual black slates.

The Asus Transformer Pad Infinity TF700 takes over from its predecessor as the top Android tablet available. You get high performance mixed with high style, and you don't have to make a lot of sacrifices to get both. Other tablets - including the Prime, which is expected to drop in price once this model gets into the market - may provide better value, but no other Android tablet will give you the full package that the Infinity does.

The Kobo Arc 10HD is a sexy tablet that offers a lot for its price tag. Kobo's bloatware is unobtrusive and the fact it gives you full access to the Google Play store is a massive plus. The only real downside to the Kobo Arc 10HD is the weight of the thing, which makes using this device as a eReader while on the move a bit of a no go.

Touchwiz and fake stitching aside the Note 10.1 is a very good tablet with the added S-Pen feature for those who want it.

The Lenovo Yoga Tablet 10 is one of the cheaper 10in tablets around and it has an excellent design. Hardware and task performance are both lacking somewhat but battery life is a strong point. A great Android tablet for those less bothered about top-end specs.

Sony has made a very desirable tablet in the Xperia Tablet Z. We particularly like its striking svelte design and features that you don't get with rivals such as NFC, its waterproof casing and infrared. However, its slightly lacking performance means the Nexus 10 will save you some money or the iPad 4 will give you a smooth experience for the same price.

Still available as the cheapest full-sized iPad, the fourth-generation Apple tablet remains an excellent tablet choice despite only being available in 16GB.

The Nexus 10 is easily the best 10in Android tablet we've seen to date. It has a fantastic screen, decent cameras and software features all for a more than reasonable price. Those looking for an alternative to the full-sized iPad needn't look any further.

The Xperia Z2 is a great looking and well built Android tablet. It is staggeringly thin and light for a 10in device, has a great screen, expandable storage and good performance. We like the OS and the camera. Indeed, our only issues with the Xperia Z2 Tablet is occasionally laggy web browsing, and the fact that the screen is poor under natural light. But priced in line with the iPad Air this is right at the top of the shop.

In many respects a triumph, the iPad Air also introduces compromises to hit the low-weight/thin-case targets. Sound quality through the new stereo speaker has deteriorated, and although a matter of taste we found the iPad mini-style case loses the premium feel of preceding generations of iPad. The iOS 7 interface, not popular with every user, cannot be avoided on this device and it suffers some stickiness in app zooming. Ultimately though the iPad Air will suceed by simple nature of its new weight - the lose of almost 200g is so significant to its handling, and means it could encroach on E Ink ebook readers; only with the power and versatility, not to mention gorgeous colour screen, of a real iPad.

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Are Tablets The Key To Making Smart Homes A Mainstream Trend?

Portability, versatility and increasing computer performance of tablets are bringing completely new experiences, changing how we enjoy entertainment, shop, gather information, communicate and blend our digital and real worlds. This series by PSFK and Intel explores how improving tablet capabilities are changing the status quo in many aspects of our lives.

The notion of a smart home has been around for decades. New digital home security services, smart wireless door locks, Internet-connected thermostats and other technologies have become more common for home owners in recent years, but the thing most responsible for pushing the digital home trend into the mainstream just might be the rise in tablet computers.

The Nest Learning Thermostat, recently acquired by Google for $3.2 billion, may be one of the more popular smart home technologies in recent years, but the sheer number of tablets being sold cannot be ignored. While there are many devices and services are bringing homes into the bigger trend known as the Internet of Things, tablet computers stand out because of their easy-to-use, multi-functionality and widespread use.

Morgan Stanley analyst Scott Devitt recently estimated that 100,000 Nest thermostats sell each month. By contrast, tablets worldwide are currently selling at a clip of 31.6 million a month, which is pushing the global installed base of tablets beyond 900 million this year, according Forrester Research.

'We're expecting a lot more experimentation with Internet of Things-type of connected gadgets and home appliances,' said Ben Bajarin, principal at Creative Strategies, just ahead of this year's Consumer Electronics Show.

'Your everyday objects are getting smarter through sensors and processors. Coffee pots, things to manage your garden, games and toys, microwaves, refrigerators, all types of common appliances are becoming connected' to mobile devices, he said. Today even your light bulb can be internet-enabled.

This transformation will hit home for many people this year, said Bajarin, as more people connect to the Internet and utilize a wide variety of new services.

Nearly 40% of the world's population of 7.1 billion were using the Internet last year, according to the International Telecommunications Union. Relative to the growth of the world's population, records show that almost 10% more people connected to the Internet last year compared to just three years.

As heightened consumer expectations around connectivity in the home collide with emerging digital capabilities like sensors, internet-enabled appliances and remote monitoring, a range of applications are providing an always-on source of lifestyle support that can be tailored to our preferences.

These new controls and capabilities do not come without challenges. First and foremost is distilling the relevant information we need and making it easy to access and manage for the broader population. Next it's vital to empower homeowners with tool, namely software that runs on touchscreen mobile devices, to co-create ideal home living scenarios. And security is essential, as the home is a prized possession for most owners.

For many today, their tablet is a portal for accessing and controlling a wide range of internet-enabled services that integrate seamlessly into the home. We're using them prepare new gourmet recipes, manage home entertainment, control appliances, or monitor energy consumption, even while away from home.

Tablet devices are playing a central role as command center for their digital home ecosystem and some do-it-yourself home tinkerers are using them as remote controls for Internet-connected lights, drapes and other things around the home.

While makers are exploring the fringes of how tablets can help around the home, many services from Netflix to ADT Pulse home security are accommodated more convenient ways of integrating the Internet into the way we live and manage our homes.

Chop-Syc is a digital chopping board that incorporates a tablet into its design and can connect to the internet via Wi-Fi and display healthy recipes, recommended daily allowances, portion sizes, and other information. A concept by Sustainable Product Design student Siobhan Andrews, the cutting board is made out of scratch-proof glass and can be powered up by placing it on a rechargeable mat. When not in use, the board looks like a regular wooden chopping board, blending into the backdrop of other kitchen appliances and tools. By weaving digital capabilities into familiar products, the Chop-Syc creates a unique support system that merges naturally with existing behaviors for homeowners moving throughout the kitchen.

Italian furniture company Toncelli Kitchens has created a high-tech kitchen benchtop with a sleek design and high level of functionality to control various internet-enabled products in the kitchen. The Prisma kitchen island includes a tablet encased in a glass panel that can allow users to control basic kitchen functions, such as adjusting refrigerator settings, or changing the heat on the stove top. That internet-enabled tablet also enables cooks to watch cooking tutorials or entertain their kids with streaming video. Intersperse a similar product throughout the home and one could easily imagine interfacing with various control stations, creating a programmable environment best suited to an individual's needs.

For some of us, a majority of our time is spent away from our homes and the ability to monitor and control certain functions would help us maintain a more symbiotic relationship from afar. The Wattio SmartHome 360º is an Indiegogo project that allows people to track and control home energy usage from anywhere in the world. The full system includes electrical items and components that are easy to set-up around the home, and where important information and settings can be viewed and controlled in real-time via the web-based app for phones and tablets. The plug, referred to as 'The Pod,' gets plugged into wall socket and gives the user full remote control of the device plugged into it. For example, the user can use his/her tablet to turn the device on and on, program working hours, and even estimate energy consumption levels, customized according to their requirements.

Another app that allow people to use their tablet as a remote control while away from home include IP Cam Viewer Pro, which allows you to use your tablet to view and control your Internet connected Web cam or network connected DVR.

On the hand, maybe you want your home computer to be a command center, allowing you to access say a child or grandparent's mobile device to send alerts, remotely fix problems or retrieve files. That's what Team Viewer enables.

While there is a lot of experimenting around fitting tablets into home furnishings and other places around the home, more commonly they are close at hand even while away from home, allowing people to stay connected, informed and in control of their interests and prized possessions.

In this emerging home ecosystem where everything is programmable, tablets are providing access point to a two-way conversation between owners and their homes, providing peace of mind and facilitating better, more conscious ways of living.

TOPICS:

Electronics & Gadgets, Home & Garden, Web & Technology, Work & Business

TAGS:

chop sync, forrester, hue, Indiegogo, Nest, tablet, Toncelli Kitchens, wattio smarthome 360

Recent Articles By PSFK Labs

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With PCs on death's door, a last gasp

WASHINGTON -- Computer makers are having a hard time giving PCs and laptops away.

Desktop and laptop computers are standing at death's door, which is propped open by the growth of tablets and smartphones, technology analysts say.

But one year after the steepest decline ever in PC sales, the drastic drop has slowed, according to a new report by research firm IDC.

Worldwide PC shipments in the first quarter of 2014 fell 4.4 percent, slightly better than the projected decline of 5.3 percent.

IDC concludes that sales of PCs were driven by the impending end of Windows XP support, which they say forced consumers and businesses to buy new hardware.

Despite the stabilization, TheStreet's Chris Ciaccia says the recent decision by Microsoft to make its popular Office suite available on Apple's iPad is an indication of the future.

'People thought of laptops and PCs as content creators, and tablets were mostly for consumption,' says Ciaccia.

'Now that you can actually create content, really good content, with enterprise software on the iPad and eventually other tablets, this only furthers the trend that PC and laptop sales will continue to decline.'

The numbers back Ciaccia's contention.

'Worldwide PC shipments have now declined for eight consecutive quarters as a result of shifting technology usage and competition, notably with tablets and smartphones,' says Loren Loverde, of IDC.

Ciaccia doesn't think the drop in interest in desktops and laptops is a fluke: 'I don't think it's going to decline drastically overnight, but it's going to be a continual, gradual decline over the next few years.'

While some balk at the difficulty of typing on a tablet's touch screen, Ciaccia says wireless keyboards that can be paired with iPads or other tablets generally cost less than $100.

'That still makes a tablet much cheaper than your average notebook or your average PC, and they're so much more portable than a PC,' says Ciaccia.

The upside of laptops and desktops -- for now

Not everyone thinks the death of the PC is imminent.

'We see tablets and smartphones continuing to eat PC sales, but they have a long way to go before they replace the PC,' says Bill Flook, tech and venture capital reporter for the Washington Business Journal.

'How many people can realistically perform the day-to-day functions of their job on an iPad?' says Flook. 'Not nearly enough to eradicate PCs any time soon.'

Ciaccia says there are some benefits to owning a laptop or desktop.

'They're still much more powerful than tablets,' says Ciaccia. 'There's much more storage. Most tablets run up to 128 gigs in memory, and then you have additional storage on the cloud, where you can get another 50 or 100 gigabytes worth of storage.'

Yet storing documents in one digital basket comes with risk.

'If something happens to the PC or laptop, and you have documents stored internally and it's not on the cloud, there's a really good chance you can lose those documents,' says Ciaccia.

'Aesthetics on laptops have certainly improved in the past few years, but they're not where they need to be to actually overtake Apple, from a consumer-mindset standpoint,' says Ciaccia.

The limited future for PCs

Loverde, of IDC, says that the transition to more mobile devices and usage models is unlikely to stop, 'although the short term impact on PC shipments may slow as tablet penetration rises, as we've seen in some mature regions.

'There is potential for PC shipments to stabilize, but not much opportunity for growth.'

Asked whether laptops are doomed to the same future as netbooks, which were launched in 2007 but made quickly irrelevant by the arrival of tablet computers, Ciaccia says that's a tough call.

'I think there will always be a niche market for laptops. I think there will be a bigger market for PCs, simply because it's really tough to break the enterprise market -- I can't see that changing in the next five years.'

Yet, as more tablets are geared toward business use, 'more people will continue to buy tablets for their needs, as tablets become more powerful and storage on them gets better,' says Ciaccia.

'I don't see laptops and PCs ever really going away, unless tablets become so powerful and so cheap to buy for enterprises that it really makes no sense to buy a PC or a laptop.'

Follow @WTOP and @WTOPtech on Twitter, and on the WTOP Facebook page.

© 2014 WTOP. All Rights Reserved.

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With PCs on death's door, a last gasp

WASHINGTON -- Computer makers are having a hard time giving PCs and laptops away.

Desktop and laptop computers are standing at death's door, which is propped open by the growth of tablets and smartphones, technology analysts say.

But one year after the steepest decline ever in PC sales, the drastic drop has slowed, according to a new report by research firm IDC.

Worldwide PC shipments in the first quarter of 2014 fell 4.4%, slightly better than the projected decline of 5.3%.

IDC concludes that sales of PCs were driven by the impending end of Windows XP support, which they say forced consumers and businesses to buy new hardware.

Despite the stabilization, The Street's Chris Ciaccia says the recent decision by Microsoft to make its popular Office suite available on Apple's iPad is an indication of the future.

'People thought of laptops and PCs as content creators, and tablets were mostly for consumption,' says Ciaccia. 'Now that you can actually create content, really good content, with enterprise software on the iPad and eventually other tablets, this only furthers the trend that PC and laptop sales will continue to decline.'

The numbers back Ciaccia's contention.

'Worldwide PC shipments have now declined for eight consecutive quarters as a result of shifting technology usage and competition, notably with tablets and smartphones,' says Loren Loverde, of IDC.

Ciaccia doesn't think the drop in interest in desktops and laptops is a fluke: 'I don't think it's going to decline drastically overnight, but it's going to be a continual, gradual decline over the next few years.'

While some balk at the difficulty of typing on a tablet's touch screen, Ciaccia says wireless keyboards that can be paired with iPads or other tablets generally cost less than $100.

'That still makes a tablet much cheaper than your average notebook or your average PC, and they're so much more portable than a PC,' says Ciaccia.

The upside of laptops and desktops -- for now

Not everyone thinks the death of the PC is imminent.

'We see tablets and smartphones continuing to eat PC sales, but they have a long way to go before they replace the PC,' says Bill Flook, tech and venture capital reporter for the Washington Business Journal.

'How many people can realistically perform the day-to-day functions of their job on an iPad?' says Flook. 'Not nearly enough to eradicate PCs any time soon.'

Ciaccia says there are some benefits to owning a laptop or desktop.

'They're still much more powerful than tablets,' says Ciaccia. 'There's much more storage. Most tablets run up to 128 gigs in memory, and then you have additional storage on the cloud, where you can get another 50 or 100 gigabytes worth of storage.'

Yet storing documents in one digital basket comes with risk.

'If something happens to the PC or laptop, and you have documents stored internally and it's not on the cloud, there's a really good chance you can lose those documents,' says Ciaccia.

'Aesthetics on laptops have certainly improved in the past few years, but they're not where they need to be to actually overtake Apple, from a consumer-mindset standpoint,' says Ciaccia.

The limited future for PCs

Loverde, of IDC, says that the transition to more mobile devices and usage models is unlikely to stop, 'although the short term impact on PC shipments may slow as tablet penetration rises, as we've seen in some mature regions.

'There is potential for PC shipments to stabilize, but not much opportunity for growth.'

Asked whether laptops are doomed to the same future as netbooks, which were launched in 2007 but made quickly irrelevant by the arrival of tablet computers, Ciaccia says that's a tough call.

'I think there will always be a niche market for laptops. I think there will be a bigger market for PCs, simply because it's really tough to break the enterprise market -- I can't see that changing in the next five years.'

Yet, as more tablets are geared toward business use, 'more people will continue to buy tablets for their needs, as tablets become more powerful and storage on them gets better,' says Ciaccia.

'I don't see laptops and PCs ever really going away, unless tablets become so powerful and so cheap to buy for enterprises that it really makes no sense to buy a PC or a laptop.'

Follow @WTOP and @WTOPtech on Twitter, and on the WTOP Facebook page.

© 2014 WTOP. All Rights Reserved.

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With PCs on death's door, a last gasp

WASHINGTON -- Computer makers are having a hard time giving PCs and laptops away.

Desktop and laptop computers are standing at death's door, which is propped open by the growth of tablets and smartphones, technology analysts say.

But one year after the steepest decline ever in PC sales, the drastic drop has slowed, according to a new report by research firm IDC.

Worldwide PC shipments in the first quarter of 2014 fell 4.4%, slightly better than the projected decline of 5.3%.

IDC concludes that sales of PCs were driven by the impending end of Windows XP support, which they say forced consumers and businesses to buy new hardware.

Despite the stabilization, The Street's Chris Ciaccia says the recent decision by Microsoft to make its popular Office suite available on Apple's iPad is an indication of the future.

'People thought of laptops and PCs as content creators, and tablets were mostly for consumption,' says Ciaccia. 'Now that you can actually create content, really good content, with enterprise software on the iPad and eventually other tablets, this only furthers the trend that PC and laptop sales will continue to decline.'

The numbers back Ciaccia's contention.

'Worldwide PC shipments have now declined for eight consecutive quarters as a result of shifting technology usage and competition, notably with tablets and smartphones,' says Loren Loverde, of IDC.

Ciaccia doesn't think the drop in interest in desktops and laptops is a fluke: 'I don't think it's going to decline drastically overnight, but it's going to be a continual, gradual decline over the next few years.'

While some balk at the difficulty of typing on a tablet's touch screen, Ciaccia says wireless keyboards that can be paired with iPads or other tablets generally cost less than $100.

'That still makes a tablet much cheaper than your average notebook or your average PC, and they're so much more portable than a PC,' says Ciaccia.

The upside of laptops and desktops -- for now

Not everyone thinks the death of the PC is imminent.

'We see tablets and smartphones continuing to eat PC sales, but they have a long way to go before they replace the PC,' says Bill Flook, tech and venture capital reporter for the Washington Business Journal.

'How many people can realistically perform the day-to-day functions of their job on an iPad?' says Flook. 'Not nearly enough to eradicate PCs any time soon.'

Ciaccia says there are some benefits to owning a laptop or desktop.

'They're still much more powerful than tablets,' says Ciaccia. 'There's much more storage. Most tablets run up to 128 gigs in memory, and then you have additional storage on the cloud, where you can get another 50 or 100 gigabytes worth of storage.'

Yet storing documents in one digital basket comes with risk.

'If something happens to the PC or laptop, and you have documents stored internally and it's not on the cloud, there's a really good chance you can lose those documents,' says Ciaccia.

'Aesthetics on laptops have certainly improved in the past few years, but they're not where they need to be to actually overtake Apple, from a consumer-mindset standpoint,' says Ciaccia.

The limited future for PCs

Loverde, of IDC, says that the transition to more mobile devices and usage models is unlikely to stop, 'although the short term impact on PC shipments may slow as tablet penetration rises, as we've seen in some mature regions.

'There is potential for PC shipments to stabilize, but not much opportunity for growth.'

Asked whether laptops are doomed to the same future as netbooks, which were launched in 2007 but made quickly irrelevant by the arrival of tablet computers, Ciaccia says that's a tough call.

'I think there will always be a niche market for laptops. I think there will be a bigger market for PCs, simply because it's really tough to break the enterprise market -- I can't see that changing in the next five years.'

Yet, as more tablets are geared toward business use, 'more people will continue to buy tablets for their needs, as tablets become more powerful and storage on them gets better,' says Ciaccia.

'I don't see laptops and PCs ever really going away, unless tablets become so powerful and so cheap to buy for enterprises that it really makes no sense to buy a PC or a laptop.'

Follow @WTOP and @WTOPtech on Twitter, and on the WTOP Facebook page.

© 2014 WTOP. All Rights Reserved.

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Austin's Motion Computing Announces Largest

Ever since the dawn of tablet computers, the electronics world has argued their value not only for gamers and casual users, but for business and professional applications as well. Late Apple CEO and Founder Steve Jobs long argued the iPad's use in the classroom, while other tablet designers have invested resources into making the technology applicable to the healthcare industry. Now, Austin-based Motion Computing, a company dedicated to developing rugged tablet PCs, electronics accessories customized for specific business purposes, and services to accompany the hardware, has announced a major, new contract involving the company's custom tablet platform and the medical devices industry.

According to a company press release, Motion Computing recently announced that it will ship 5,000 CL-series rugged tablets - the largest orders ever fill by the company - to a major U.S.-based medical device company. This impressive order follows a previous order from the client a year ago that totaled 3,000 CL-series tablets.

BioNews Texas reached out to Motion Computing last week via e-mail for further information on the medical device client and the specific application of its tablet technology, and will update this article once we receive an official comment from the company. However, Peter Poulin, vice president of marketing at Motion, noted in the company's press release that,'With over a decade of experience delivering mobile technology solutions to the healthcare industry, these organizations trust Motion's technical excellence, workflow expertise and dedication to customer satisfaction,' and adding: 'We have taken the time to understand how mobile users in healthcare environments work and created tablets, accessories and wireless networks specifically for these clinical settings. This recent win is a testament to the demand for purpose-built technology and effectiveness of our workflow solutions.'

The medical device industry, among the largest and most prominent sectors in Texas biotech, is known for its broad spectrum of applications, from surgical devices to patient-centric products. However, the prospect of bringing together tablet technology with the medical industry suggests a next-generation approach that could lead to a new movement in healthcare and medical aid.

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Hands

Smartphones and computers let you get things done anywhere and everywhere, but portability becomes more bane than blessing when you forget a critical file at home, especially if you're the type of person who dumps files on your desktop rather than a Dropbox folder.

Or at least it used to be a PITA. On Wednesday, Google released a new Chrome Remote Desktop app for Android, which lets you control your PC from afar using your tablet or smartphone.

Remote desktop apps are nothing new, but most are either pokey, pricey, or require extensive technical skill to set up. The free Chrome Remote Desktop Android app, on the other hand, couldn't be easier to use. After you download the app to your mobile device, you'll be prompted to install the Chrome Remote Desktop extension in your desktop's Chrome browser, a very straightforward procedure that asks you to allow remote connections on your computer (watch out for pop-under UAC prompts!) and set a PIN for the PC.

Once you do so, the PC's name appears in the Chrome Remote Desktop page in your browser, letting you know everything's ready to rock. All you have to do from there is fire up the Android app, connect to the PC you'd like (Google lets you connect several PCs to your account), and pop in the PIN. You can also to bypass the PIN speed bump on your mobile device once you've successfully entered it the first time, if you're so inclined, driving home the app's ease-of-use.

A small pop-up warns you that someone is remotely using your PC in the desktop browser the entire time the app is active.

The remote desktop capabilities are just as streamlined. Connecting was fast, easy, and blissfully latency-free using a Moto X connected to Verizon's LTE network. My PC's 1080p display didn't all fit on the Moto X's 720p screen, but navigating around with a finger was mostly seamless. The only advanced option you'll find is a Ctrl + Alt + Delete button next to the Disconnect option.

Android's virtual keyboard can be summoned with either a button press or by swiping upwards with three fingers; pinch-to-zoom is also supported. That's it as far as bells and whistles go, though.

The controls themselves are trackpad style. You need to swipe your finger back and forth on your phone or tablet as if it were a mouse to move the cursor, rather than simply poking where you'd like the mouse to appear onscreen. (Tapping functions like a mouse click.) The learning curve is conquered in mere minutes, however, and trackpad-style controls are actually a great input method for mobile remote desktop software once you're used to it.

The Chrome Remote Desktop app for Android in use, with all options shown. (Click to enlarge.)

I haven't had a chance to test the app with a Bluetooth mouse or keyboard. One commenter says the app doesn't play nice with Bluetooth mice, so be wary if one is a key part of your workflow.

While the new app makes grabbing a last-second file a breeze in those 'Oh no' situations, that's far from the only usage for it. The app can be used to provide far-away technical assistance to family members who install the browser extension, for example, or to easily access a Flash-based website using your desktop browser. (Android and Flash don't play nice anymore.) You can also run full-fledged desktop programs while using the Remote Desktop app, naturally.

One clever early commenter on the Remote Desktop app's Play Store listing was pumped to find that 'I can control my desktop from my tablet/phone while I have it Chromecasting to my TV. So good.'

In the end, the new Chrome Remote Desktop app is a welcome addition to the Android family, delivering a truly user-friendly experience that's oh-so-rare in the world of remote desktop software. It's fast, it's easy, it's free, and you don't even need to install any additional software on your PC if you're already using Chrome. What's not to like?

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Spokane 'small fish' aims to tap global market for tablet computers

Using the Internet and workers on three continents, a Spokane company is trying to take a bite out of the computer tablet market dominated by giants like Samsung and Apple.

Minno Tablets, with an office in Spokane's University District, is part of a growing breed of companies that rely on teams around the world to make and sell their products.

Officially launched this year, Minno's sales and support office has two workers in Spokane and several more at other U.S. locations.

Like most tech firms, it draws on Chinese manufacturers to produce the tablet components, which are then assembled and configured by a six-person staff in Yerevan, Armenia.

Minno evolved from the business collaboration of brothers Eric and Chris Ryan, who founded a Spokane Valley toy production company, Noodle Head. The toy business was an early entrant locally to the Chinese manufacturing market.

But as that market diminished, the brothers pivoted toward producing affordable tablet computers. If big companies like Apple dominate the consumer market, there are dozens of companies like Minno competing to sell affordable devices to businesses or specialty markets like education.

'Personal mobile technology is certainly a growing market, and this is especially true in emerging economies around the world,' said Chris Ryan.

Their company name is a variation of 'minnow' - the small fish found in schools. That's because education has been Minno's initial market focus. It's also looking for inroads with government agencies and businesses.

Earlier this year Minno received an order for 2,000 tablets from the Armenian minister of education. The country, sandwiched between Turkey and Azerbaijan, intends to buy up to 40,000 more tablets for schools over the next three years, Ryan said.

Thousands of companies around the world are using the far-flung business model.

Business schools have conducted research on the trend, finding that advances in technology offset infrequent one-to-one meetings.

'Most companies today use lots of different forms of virtual,' said Ann Majchrzak, who teaches at the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. 'You can't do business today without it,' she said.

Chris Ryan said Minno's strategy is to keep tablet prices low and sell in bulk.

'We're not trying to sell in the consumer market' or compete with the iPad or the Samsung or Microsoft tablets, Ryan said.

Minno is pricing its tablets at roughly half what consumer tablets cost.

'That way we're a two-for-one proposition. You can get a Minno 10-inch tablet for $249, compared with about $599 for the same-size iPad,' Ryan said.

His brother, Eric Ryan, based in Santa Barbara, Calif., helped develop Minno's connections to the tech sector in Armenia, which for years has been called the Silicon Valley of the former Soviet Union.

Minno is just one of hundreds of tech firms now using Armenia's pool of talent, he said.

'It has a low wage scale but also a highly educated population,' he said. 'It has a lot of smart and well-trained workers available.'

The Armenian government has gone beyond ordering Minno's tablets. It's helping launch a Minno operation in the capital of the country to produce the ArmTab.

That will be the locally produced tablet sold to schools and businesses across Eastern Europe.

The goal is to increase capacity in Armenia to produce 100,000 tablets per year.

The brothers hold meetings by phone or Web conference once or twice a week. They also do regular Skype calls with their colleagues in Asia and in Armenia.

'On one hand, it is important to gather the team regularly on conference calls to chart the strategic course,' Chris Ryan said.

But not working in one building makes for more focused work, he added.

'We have less time in frequent drawn-out meetings, a chronic issue I have experienced with larger, centralized organizations,' he said.

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Winmate M101B rugged tablet

Winmate M101B rugged tablet

Winmate is a Taiwanese company founded in 1996. Specializing in industrial display technologies and solutions, Winmate also branched out into Tablet PCs, digital signage, marine grade displays and computers and, most recently, panels, embedded automation controllers, and increasingly advanced mobile computing technology such as the M101B 10.1-inch rugged tablet PC shown here. Web: Intel 'Bay Trail' quad-core powered rugged tablet with full 1920 x 1200 pixel capacitive display

With the M101B tablet, introduced early April 2014, Winmate launched a state-of-the-art rugged Windows 8-based tablet geared towards users demanding future-oriented design and technology that's on par, or ahead of, with what's available in the consumer media tablet space.

Those familiar with Winmate's growing tablet lineup will notice that the new M101B looks a lot like the company's successful M970D ( see here). That's true in terms of looks and design language, but the M101B is actually a significantly more advanced and more powerful device, sporting a display with almost three times the pixel density as the M970D, and offering superior quad-core processing performance, as well as much more advanced graphics.

Let's take a look at the display first. While the M970D employs the respectable and time-tested 1024 x 768 pixel XGA format (the same as used by the original iPad and the iPad 2), the M101B has a slightly larger (10.1-inch vs. 9.7-inch) screen with full WUXGA video. That's a 1920 x 1200 pixel 16:10 wide-format with more pixels than all of today's 1080p high-definition flatscreen TVs. On a small tablet screen, that makes for a super-sharp picture. Almost needless to say, the M101B uses projected capacitive multi-touch for effortless tapping, panning, pinching and zooming. And the display is of the IPS (in-plane switching) variety that makes for perfect viewing from all angles. The wide format and high resolution render the tablet perfect for Windows 8.1 operation.

Processing power comes from Intel's next-gen 'Bay Trail' platform that employs 22nm process technology and represents the first major advance in Atom microprocessor architecture since the platform arrived a few years ago. 'Bay Trail,' however, is not just a new gen of Atom processors; instead, it's a large family of single, dual, and quad processor chips optimized for various types of devices. And not all Bay Trail processors use Intel's 'Atom' brand; higher end versions targetting notebooks and desktops carry Intel's 'Celeron' and even 'Pentium' brand names.

Further, for the first time, an Intel Atom microprocessor architecture is paired with genuine Intel graphics. The graphics cores integrated into Bay Trail systems are of the same HD 4000 architecture and variety as those used in Intel's 3rd generation 'Ivy Bridge' processors, albeit with fewer execution units (four instead of several times that number) and lower clock speeds. Still, the new graphics support most of the same APIs and features, including DirectX 11, OpenGL 4.0, OpenCL 1.2, and the chips can inherently support dual displays up to 2560 × 1440 (or 1080p over HDMI). Better yet, there's also turbo boost, and the clever power-saving 'active idle' feature from Haswell core processors is there as well. 4GB of DDR3L/1600 RAM and a 64GB mSATA solid state disk complete the package.

On the connectivity side, there's a docking connector, micro-HDMI, USB 3.0, and a combination LAN or RS232 port. For wireless there's dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi, Class 1 Bluetooth v.4.0, u-Blox Neo-6Q GPS, and optional 3G or 4G LTE mobile broadband. There are two cameras, a 2mp in the front for conferencing and a 5mp document camera in the rear. Customers may also include either an embedded 1D/2D barcode reader or RFID. The standard Li-Polymer battery, which is hot-swappable, packs 39.2 watt-hours, though power users may opt for the also available extended battery with twice the capacity. As is expected in a next-gen tablet, there's a full complement of sensors.

Winmate describes the M101B tablet as 'rugged' and with its corner protection it certainly looks much tougher than all those Barbie-thin and fragile consumer tablets. Environmental specs include a 14 to 122 degree Fahrenheit operating temperature range, four foot drop, and IP65 sealing rating. Given Winmate's experience in rugged mobile computing, we assume those are just partial specs.

As is, the new Winmate M101B 10.1-inch tablet clearly advances the state-of-the-art with its combination of bright, super-high resolution capacitive multitouch display and next-gen 'Bay Trail' processor in an elegant, but hardened package that should have significant appeal to a wide variety of customers.

Contact Winmate: www.winmate.com.tw Email: sales1 @ winmate.com.tw OEM/ODM Contact: http://ift.tt/1eZcJYY (by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

Specifications Winmate M101B

Status

Added 04/2013

Form-factor

Compact Rugged Tablet PC

OS

Windows Embedded 8 Standard or Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro

Processor

Quad-core Intel Celeron N2920

CPU Speed

1.86GHz

Chipset

Unknown

Standard/Max RAM

4GB SODIMM DDR3L-1600

Disk/drive

64GB mSATA MLC solid state disk

Card slots

1 x micro-SD card, 1 x SIM

Display type

IPS LCD with LED backlight (700 nits)

Display size/res

10.1-inch, 1920 x 1200 HD

Digitizer/pens

Projected capacitive touch

Keyboard/scale

NA

Navigation

Touch

Operating temperature

14° to 122°F (-10° to 50°C)

Sealing

IP65

Vibration

NA

Shock

4 feet

Humidity

30% to 90% (non-condensing)

Certifications

FCC, CE, EN60601

Housing

est: Plastic with rubber bumper corner protection

Size (WxHxD)

10.7 x 7.75 x 0.75 inches (272 x 197 x 19mm)

Weight

2.43 lbs. (1.1 kg)

Power

Li-Polymer 7.4V, 5,300mAH, 39.2 watt-hours ('6 hours'); optional Li-Polymer 7.4V, 10,600mAh, 78.4 watt-hours

Cameras

2mp camera front, 5mp camera with LED flash rear

Sensors

Light, G-sensor, Gyrometer, e-Compass

Interface

1 x micro HDMI, 1 x USB 3.0, 1 x combo LAN/RS232, audio, power

Wireless

802.11a/b/g/n, Class I Bluetooth 4.0, u-blox Neo-6Q GPS, optional 3G WWAN or 4G LTE, optional 1D/2D barcode or RFID

List price

Inquire

Contact

winmate.com.twSales1@winmate.com.tw

Brochure

TBA

Winmate M101B

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Google's Chrome OS Could Replace Android on Full

Chrome OS was designed to run on very inexpensive notebooks, not tablets. However, a new version of this operating system was introduced a few days ago that includes an on-screen keyboard (shown at right), a feature useless for laptops but absolutely critical for tablets.

This change could have been made so that Acer can take the wraps off a Chrome OS-based tablet, something the company may have hinted is in the offing. Acer recently sent out press invitations to an April 29 event that will have the theme ' A Touch More Connected' -- possibly a reference to a touchscreen-centered tablet.

Why Chrome OS?

Some might question the need for Chrome OS tablets, as Google's Android OS is already already available for this class of devices. But there are good reasons why some device makers could be looking for an alternative.

While Android-based tablets are selling very well, the vast majority of these are small, inexpensive models with razor-thin profit margins. Samsung is the only company that has had any success in making full-size Android tablets with respectable profit margins.

Acer, on the other hand, is doing well with its Chromebooks, and could be looking to use the experience it's gained with them to break into the market for tablets with screens 9 inches and up.

Naturally, there will be advantages for consumers as well, with affordability being at the top of the list. Google designed Chrome OS for basic equipment. It will run on inexpensive processors, and because files are stored online devices require very little storage. As it stands now, full-size tablets generally start at about $500, but a Chrome tablet could well be significantly less.

Obviously, a Chrome OS tablet won't be able to run Android apps, but this isn't a big sacrifice. Although there is a huge array of Android software, only a small percentage of this has been optimized for large screens. Web apps written for Chrome OS, on the other hand, were deliberately created for large-screen devices, so users of a 9- to 11-inch tablet could see more software choices, not less. This includes Microsoft Office.

Chrome was created to power computers that are always connected to the Internet, but this won't necessarily be a drawback for many. Studies have shown that people are most frequently using their tablets for web browsing, email, and social networking, all tasks that already require Internet access.

While Acer may be the first with a Chrome OS tablet, probably every company that makes a Chrome-based notebook now is considering it, like HP, Toshiba, and possibly even Samsung. An early success or two could lead to a raft of tablets running this operating system.

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Pupils 'addicted to tablet computers', teachers warn

Young children can swipe a computer screen but do not have the fine motor skills to play with building blocks, teachers warn.

A teachers' conference heard how some pupils arrive in class tired and unable to concentrate after staying up late playing computer games.

Other children become withdrawn and unable to socialise.

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) says tablet computer addiction is a growing concern.

The ATL says children must be taught to use devices, such as tablets and smart phones, responsibly.

Building blocks

The concerns were raised at the union's annual conference in Manchester.

Colin Kinney from Northern Ireland said, while many children displayed highly competent IT skills, they often lacked basic skills.

'Teachers talk of the pupils who come into their classrooms after spending most of the previous night playing computer games and whose attention span is so limited they may as well not be there, or the pupils who wander around at break or lunch glued to their tablets or smartphones.

'I have spoken to a number of nursery teachers who have concerns over the increasing numbers of young pupils who can swipe a screen but have little or no manipulative skills to play with building blocks or the like, or the pupils who cannot socialise with other pupils but whose parents talk proudly of their ability to use a tablet or smartphone.'

The ATL passed a motion urging the union to draw up guidance for staff on how best to address the issue.

Social isolation

Mr Kinney went on: 'We do not want to deprive our pupils of access to computer tablets. We do want to protect them from withdrawal, poor performance and loss of educational opportunities.

'We are not advocating a ban on devices, we are not stating there are medical risks. We are highlighting rising concerns of social isolation and of decreasing attention span for anything which isn't computer-generated imagery.'

Mark Montgomery, also from Northern Ireland, told delegates: 'We must recognise and accept that the technology is available and the pupils in front of us are constantly using it.

'Therefore it is our job to make sure that the technology is being used wisely and productively and that pupils are not making backward steps and getting obsessed and exhibiting aggressive and anti-social behaviours.

'In the same way, we can use a brick to either break a window or build a house, digital technology can be used for good or bad and teachers can and should help their pupils make positive choices so they have positive experiences.'

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Winmate M101B rugged tablet

Winmate M101B rugged tablet

Winmate is a Taiwanese company founded in 1996. Specializing in industrial display technologies and solutions, Winmate also branched out into Tablet PCs, digital signage, marine grade displays and computers and, most recently, panels, embedded automation controllers, and increasingly advanced mobile computing technology such as the M101B 10.1-inch rugged tablet PC shown here. Web: Intel 'Bay Trail' quad-core powered rugged tablet with full 1920 x 1200 pixel capacitive display

With the M101B tablet, introduced early April 2014, Winmate launched a state-of-the-art rugged Windows 8-based tablet geared towards users demanding future-oriented design and technology that's on par, or ahead of, with what's available in the consumer media tablet space.

Those familiar with Winmate's growing tablet lineup will notice that the new M101B looks a lot like the company's successful M970D ( see here). That's true in terms of looks and design language, but the M101B is actually a significantly more advanced and more powerful device, sporting a display with almost three times the pixel density as the M970D, and offering superior quad-core processing performance, as well as much more advanced graphics.

Let's take a look at the display first. While the M970D employs the respectable and time-tested 1024 x 768 pixel XGA format (the same as used by the original iPad and the iPad 2), the M101B has a slightly larger (10.1-inch vs. 9.7-inch) screen with full WUXGA video. That's a 1920 x 1200 pixel 16:10 wide-format with more pixels than all of today's 1080p high-definition flatscreen TVs. On a small tablet screen, that makes for a super-sharp picture. Almost needless to say, the M101B uses projected capacitive multi-touch for effortless tapping, panning, pinching and zooming. And the display is of the IPS (in-plane switching) variety that makes for perfect viewing from all angles. The wide format and high resolution render the tablet perfect for Windows 8.1 operation.

Processing power comes from Intel's next-gen 'Bay Trail' platform that employs 22nm process technology and represents the first major advance in Atom microprocessor architecture since the platform arrived a few years ago. 'Bay Trail,' however, is not just a new gen of Atom processors; instead, it's a large family of single, dual, and quad processor chips optimized for various types of devices. And not all Bay Trail processors use Intel's 'Atom' brand; higher end versions targetting notebooks and desktops carry Intel's 'Celeron' and even 'Pentium' brand names.

Further, for the first time, an Intel Atom microprocessor architecture is paired with genuine Intel graphics. The graphics cores integrated into Bay Trail systems are of the same HD 4000 architecture and variety as those used in Intel's 3rd generation 'Ivy Bridge' processors, albeit with fewer execution units (four instead of several times that number) and lower clock speeds. Still, the new graphics support most of the same APIs and features, including DirectX 11, OpenGL 4.0, OpenCL 1.2, and the chips can inherently support dual displays up to 2560 × 1440 (or 1080p over HDMI). Better yet, there's also turbo boost, and the clever power-saving 'active idle' feature from Haswell core processors is there as well. 4GB of DDR3L/1600 RAM and a 64GB mSATA solid state disk complete the package.

On the connectivity side, there's a docking connector, micro-HDMI, USB 3.0, and a combination LAN or RS232 port. For wireless there's dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi, Class 1 Bluetooth v.4.0, u-Blox Neo-6Q GPS, and optional 3G or 4G LTE mobile broadband. There are two cameras, a 2mp in the front for conferencing and a 5mp document camera in the rear. Customers may also include either an embedded 1D/2D barcode reader or RFID. The standard Li-Polymer battery, which is hot-swappable, packs 39.2 watt-hours, though power users may opt for the also available extended battery with twice the capacity. As is expected in a next-gen tablet, there's a full complement of sensors.

Winmate describes the M101B tablet as 'rugged' and with its corner protection it certainly looks much tougher than all those Barbie-thin and fragile consumer tablets. Environmental specs include a 14 to 122 degree Fahrenheit operating temperature range, four foot drop, and IP65 sealing rating. Given Winmate's experience in rugged mobile computing, we assume those are just partial specs.

As is, the new Winmate M101B 10.1-inch tablet clearly advances the state-of-the-art with its combination of bright, super-high resolution capacitive multitouch display and next-gen 'Bay Trail' processor in an elegant, but hardened package that should have significant appeal to a wide variety of customers.

Contact Winmate: www.winmate.com.tw Email: sales1 @ winmate.com.tw OEM/ODM Contact: ODM@winmate.com.tw (by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

Specifications Winmate M101B

Status

Added 04/2013

Form-factor

Compact Rugged Tablet PC

OS

Windows Embedded 8 Standard or Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro

Processor

Quad-core Intel Celeron N2920

CPU Speed

1.86GHz

Chipset

Unknown

Standard/Max RAM

4GB SODIMM DDR3L-1600

Disk/drive

64GB mSATA MLC solid state disk

Card slots

1 x micro-SD card, 1 x SIM

Display type

IPS LCD with LED backlight (700 nits)

Display size/res

10.1-inch, 1920 x 1200 HD

Digitizer/pens

Projected capacitive touch

Keyboard/scale

NA

Navigation

Touch

Operating temperature

14° to 122°F (-10° to 50°C)

Sealing

IP65

Vibration

NA

Shock

4 feet

Humidity

30% to 90% (non-condensing)

Certifications

FCC, CE, EN60601

Housing

est: Plastic with rubber bumper corner protection

Size (WxHxD)

10.7 x 7.75 x 0.75 inches (272 x 197 x 19mm)

Weight

2.43 lbs. (1.1 kg)

Power

Li-Polymer 7.4V, 5,300mAH, 39.2 watt-hours ('6 hours'); optional Li-Polymer 7.4V, 10,600mAh, 78.4 watt-hours

Cameras

2mp camera front, 5mp camera with LED flash rear

Sensors

Light, G-sensor, Gyrometer, e-Compass

Interface

1 x micro HDMI, 1 x USB 3.0, 1 x combo LAN/RS232, audio, power

Wireless

802.11a/b/g/n, Class I Bluetooth 4.0, u-blox Neo-6Q GPS, optional 3G WWAN or 4G LTE, optional 1D/2D barcode or RFID

List price

Inquire

Contact

winmate.com.twSales1@winmate.com.tw

Brochure

TBA

Winmate M101B

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