Psion Teklogix's WORKABOUT PRO gets rugged with WinMo

We've seen handheld workhorses before, but Psion Teklogix is taking Windows Mobile 6 to the tough side in its new line of WORKABOUT devices. Offering users the choice of Windows CE 5.0 or WinMo 6 Classic / Professional, the WORKABOUT PRO C sports a full alphanumeric keypad, while the PRO S trims down by nixing the alphabet. Both units are powered by a 520MHz PXA270 CPU, and boast 128MB of Flash ROM, 128MB of SDRAM, optional 802.11b/g via a CF adapter, GSM / GPRS / EDGE WWAN connectivity, Bluetooth, a 3.6-inch VGA touchscreen, built-in speaker / microphone, and the obligatory dust, rain, and shock proof qualities that you'd expect on such a rugged machine. Additionally, a bevy of scanning expansion modules are included, and while pricing details aren't readily available, anyone that's likely to be interested in this one can just charge it to the corporate card and fuhgetaboutit.

[Via PocketPCThoughts]

[Cutie @ May 12th 2007 10:06AM]

I like the item in the right, so It's like XDA o2 Stealth that Use Keypad in the PDA... How about the price? I see those phone is really useful for the one who is careless (always drop the phone anywhere). But why the Wi fi is optional? Any Pocket PC nowadays already have it build in

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[Mike Knowles-Leak @ May 14th 2007 6:45AM]

These rugged devices are designed for industrial environments as you said but I think Psion Texlogix have missed a trick not including integrated GPS as an option. Intermec have released the IP54 rated CN3 terminal and Motorola (Symbol) have released the MC35 for enterprise applications.

We are finding that this is now becoming a requirement by the user and as such we have the offering from Hand Held Products called the Dolphin 7900. See the attached article:-

http://www.logisticsit.com/absolutenm/templates/article-datacapture.aspx?articleid=2598&zoneid=6

[divebc @ May 16th 2007 6:58PM]

Price is entirely dependent on what feature you pack into the units. We use the previous generations exclusively for our operation. With NetMotion (3rd party VPN app), you can have seemless transition from 802.1b/g to GSM / GPRS / EDGE WWAN for all your applications. Pretty cool.

For a basic full keyboard unit, 2D camera/scanner, 802.1g/Edge setup you are looking at about 3k.

What's really cool is some of the "extras" that can be done with these units. Things like picture annotation, multi-media messaging, VoIP phone, store & forward messaging, and most importantly their security lock down software that can keep grubby hands changing settings on you.

The units come by default with "Backup to SD" card capabilities, meaning that you can re-flash the unit to the last know working state in about 3 minutes. Pretty cool when you need to configure 30+ units in an hour.

These are tough units for industrial use (IP66 rated), so fanboys don't expect to use them at home!