You know, at least in theory, portable computing systems should be as attractive as possible, in order to draw an increased amount of attention (because, in this way, the number of customers should, at least theoretically, increase as well). However, there are also some exceptions to this rule, found mostly in the rugged portable systems' segment, and this is exactly the case with the three devices you'll read about as follows, namely the three new Atom-based systems recently released by the TabletKiosk company.

The three systems in question are ultra-rugged, mobile computers, designed mostly for the industrial segment. The first one, the 7-inch eo a7330D Ultra-Mobile PC, is touted as the first 7-inch tablet to feature an auto-switching dual mode active digitizer / resistive touch screen panel developed by Wacom. This model targets the hospitality, home automation and industrial control systems segment, sports dual, hot swappable battery packs, integrated wireless connectivity, as well as a "fit-in-your-hand" design.

Moreover, it incorporates a new modular expansion system that can be used for customizing its functionality by attaching one of the interchangeable expansion modules, including scanning bar codes, swiping credit cards and even connecting to enhanced 3G/3.5G wireless wide area networks. The eo a7330D is powered by the Intel Atom Z530P processor and comes standard with 1.0 GB RAM, 1.8-inch 80 GB HDD (SSD drives optional), sunlight viewable screen, dual hot swappable batteries, built-in wireless capabilities including GPS, 802.11a/b/g/n Dual Channel WiFi and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, and the auto-switching dual mode digitizer/touch screen for highly accurate handwriting recognition and finger touch control.

Next in line comes the eo TufTab a7230XD Rugged Ultra-Mobile PC, which is described by the manufacturer as a lightweight and durable solution for on-the-go professionals working in harsher than normal environments. Featuring the same auto-switching active digitizer / passive touch screen as the eo a7330D, this device is ably suited for outdoor fieldwork, data collection, warehousing, mobile point of sale and other work functions that endure extreme handling.

Also powered by the Intel Atom Z530P processor, the eo TufTab a7230XD comes standard with 1.0GB RAM, 80GB HDD (SSD optional), 802.11a/b/g/n Dual Channel WiFi, 2.0 Mpixel Still/Video camera with auto focus, dual hot swappable batteries, integrated RFID reader, built-in 1D/2D barcode scanner, 1Gb Ethernet, RS-232 Serial port, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, and TPM v1.2. Built-in 3G/3.5G WWAN module is optional.

The last model introduced by TabletKiosk is the Sahara NetSlate a230T, a 12.1-inch slate-style Tablet PC described as an entry-level touch screen tablet designed for on-the-go professionals and companies looking for a true slate-style tablet solution, but not necessarily with the enhanced feature-set or processing power of the existing Sahara Slate PC i400 series of Tablet PCs.

The Sahara NetSlate a230T shares the same body design and form factor of its i400 series siblings, but is powered by the Intel Atom N270 processor and comes standard with 1.0GB RAM (upgradeable to 2.0GB) a 120GB HDD (SSD optional), 802.11a/b/g/n Dual Channel WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and an optional built-in 3G/3.5G WWAN module.

While pricing details regarding either of these three devices have not yet been provided, we do know that the Sahara tablet is already available on the market, with the other two Atom-based systems slated to hit the shelves over the course of October.


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