Motion Computing unveils "semi-rugged" F5 Slate PC

It's been a solid tick since we heard a peep from Motion Computing, but nearly a year after we first wrapped our paws around the firm's C5 medical tablet, the F5 has arrived. Granted, this bugger is more suited for service industries and field work than the ER, but its "semi-rugged" nature ensures that it'll get the job done almost anywhere. Packed within the IP54-compliant (read: dust, water, shock and temperature resistant) chassis is a 1.2GHz Intel Centrino U1400 processor, 10.4-inch XGA (1,024 x 768) View Anywhere display, 40GB HDD (optional 32GB SSD available), built-in 802.11a/b/g and Bluetooth, WWAN (EV-DO) support and a 2-megapixel camera for good measure. Additionally, you'll spot an optional barcode reader, integrated RFID reader / passive tag, a biometric scanner, three USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet, VGA output and a battery good for about 3.5 hours of usage. Unfortunately, such a well-spec'd Slate PC won't come cheap, as this creature will set you back a stiff $2,699 to $4,000 depending on configuration.

Update: Check out videos of the F5 surviving a brutal drop test and enjoying the rain after the jump.

Gallery: Motion Computing unveils "semi-rugged" F5 Slate PC

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[Saad Rabia @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:14AM]

Not bad. Same internal stuff we've been hearing about for the last 3 weeks, but with a different design, not a wonderful design, only nice.

[hp540 @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:18AM]

very nice. i only hope when i hit the wards, i'll be getting to use these :)

[linuxamp @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:47AM]

"optional barcode reader, integrated RFID reader / passive tag"
Guess they're not targeting this thing towards home users... well maybe home users with massive barcoded video collections.

[Jack @ Mar 3rd 2008 7:06AM]

my DVDs have barcodes! does that mean its for me!?

[mushrooshi @ Mar 3rd 2008 1:17AM]

Handles = Win.

[jamjumpin @ Mar 3rd 2008 1:19AM]

I wish Engadget would stop using the word 'bugger' wrongly. Maybe they'd use it less if they knew what it literally meant....

[John @ Mar 3rd 2008 1:46AM]

Perhaps they mean it as they do in the South, as in "This 'lil bugger. . .," instead of as they do in Great Britain, meaing "This li'el sodomist."

[Ryan @ Mar 3rd 2008 1:46AM]

is anyone else a nerd and instantly thought "refresh" when you read the F5 in the title??

[mushrooshi @ Mar 3rd 2008 1:56AM]

rank me low for playing "kiddy games", but F5 reminds me of the "angry anime face" in Maplestory.

[trevor @ Mar 3rd 2008 1:55AM]

It's been a solid tick since I last visited the cobbler! Figured before I stopped by the apothecary I'd comment here, and then its off to the haberdasher. These turn of the century business jokes doing anything for ya?

(Seriously, a solid tick? Who says that?)

[blewyn @ Apr 17th 2008 7:24AM]

I'd like to use this in my place of work, where we have risk of flammable gas. Is the enclosure up to exia standard ?

[ethana2 @ Mar 3rd 2008 2:27AM]

Hikers?

[trevor @ Mar 3rd 2008 3:59AM]

$20 says you googled "solid tick" and posted the only semi-meaningful non-Engadget reference that popped up ;)


Try it!

[Boxcar @ Mar 3rd 2008 3:41AM]

Um, 1.5 hours of battery life for a "field" unit? That seems highly impractical. Oh, and you'll only get the VGA out and 3 USB ports (the are no USB ports on the unit itself according to official specs!) if you pony up $350 more for the optional docking station. The paltry 40gb hard drive must be sent from a time machine from 6 years ago...

at least it looks decent?

[stromm @ Mar 3rd 2008 7:27AM]

It really annoys me that many companies only make RIGHT handed devices.

However, it also really annoys me that gaming hardware companies only make "left handed" joysticks. You know, the movement control is on the left and the buttons on the right. This just doesn't make sense to me and I'm a lefty (with the exception of wrighting, I do everything right handed). I can't figure out why righties like the buttons on the right and the stick on the left.

[sully @ Mar 3rd 2008 10:14AM]

it's fairly common for tablets to be able to flip the screen in tablets to accomodate Lefties.

My personal problem is firearms, especially when shooting clays and I have to take the time to aim the hot shell ejecting away from my face, realign and shoot again.

[Tony C @ Mar 3rd 2008 8:24AM]

Wow, talk about under-spec'd, underpowered AND overpriced. How are these guys still in business?

[roach @ Mar 3rd 2008 1:21PM]

This tablet was originally developed for hospitals. I guess they had enough interests from the public to justify releasing a consumer version.

[Blewyn @ Apr 17th 2008 7:24AM]

Will it be ExIa ? (can use in flammable gas environments)