Rugged tablet offers full-shift warehouse operation

Arbor Technology announced a 10.4-inch Windows 7 tablet designed for warehousing applications. The Gladius G1050 has a 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z530P processor, 32GB of solid state disk (SSD) storage, an RFID reader and 1D/2D barcode scanner, an ExpressCard slot, and optional cellular capabilities, according to the company.

Arbor’s Gladius G1050 is a followup to the company’s previous Atom-powered tablets, which have included the GO820, GO720, G0710S, and G0710. The new device has a larger screen — 10.4 inches, with 1024 x 768 resolution — than any of these earlier models, and it also offers a trimmer bezel.

However, Arbor still isn’t aiming for consumers here. Rather, the rugged device is intended for warehousing applications, and again caters to the butter-fingered user, with the claimed ability to withstand 40G shocks (11ms duration) and survive four-foot drops onto a wood floor. The G1050 also meets the IP54 standard for resistance to liquids and dust, the company adds.

In fact, the G1050 seems like a compelling (if heavier at 2.4 pounds) alternative to the Windows CE-powered handhelds that currently dominate the warehousing field. According to Arbor, dual hot-swappable batteries (one 1880mAh, one 2500mAh) allow it to work for nine hours, which is comparable to smaller alternatives.

And of course, the G1050 runs a full Windows 7 installation on its Intel Atom Z530P processor (paired with the SCH US15WP companion chip and 2GB of DDR2 memory). There’s 32GB of SSD storage, plus an SD/SDHC slot for adding flash memory, Arbor says.

According to Arbor, the G1050’s resistive touchscreen is complemented by ten number keys, a four-way controller, and four function keys. Presumably the latter can be configured to trigger scans and picture-taking, since the tablet is also said to have a autofocus two megapixel camera and a 1D/2D barcode scanner (plus a 13.56MHz RFID reader).

Other onboard features include an ExpressCard/34 or ExpressCard/54 slot, a USB 2.0 port, and a 35-pin connector for an optional desktop cradle, Arbor says. In addition to the expected 802.11b/g/n wireless networking capability, there’s Bluetooth 2.1 plus an optional Qualcomm Gobi 3000-based cellular modem that’s operable worldwide, the company adds.

Specifications listed by Arbor for the Gladius G1050 include:

• Processor — Intel Atom Z530P clocked at 1.6GHz
• Chipset — Intel SCH US15WP
• Memory — 2GB of DDR2 RAM
• Storage — 32GB SSD
• Expansion:
  • SD/SDHC slot
  • ExpressCard/34 or ExpressCard/54 slot
  • 35-pin connector for desktop cradle
• Display — 10.4-inch screen with 1024 x 768 pixel resolution
• Keys — 10 function keys, enter key, arrow keys, backspace key, ESC key
• Camera — 2.0 megapixel, autofocus
• Networking:
  • WLAN — 802.11b/g/n
  • PAN — Bluetooth 2.1
  • WWAN — GSM/CDMA cellular modem (optional)
• Other I/O:
  • 1D/2D scanner
  • 13.56MHz RFID reader
  • 1 x USB 2.0
• Battery type/life — 1 x 1880mAh and 1 x 2500mAh; nine hours of operation
• Operating range — -4 to 122 deg F
• Dimensions — 11.6 x 8 x 1 inches
• Weight — 2.4 pounds