Motion unveils first Core i7 slates

• 
• 

 1 of 2

Gallery

By Barry Collins

Posted on 19 May 2010 at 10:08

Motion Computing has launched what it claims are the industry's first slate PCs built on Intel's Core i5 and Core i7 mobile processors.

Intel's high-end processors appear in two of Motion's tablets: the Motion C5v, which is aimed at the medical profession, and the F5v, a more general-purpose slate aimed at the retail, engineering and utilities industries.

Motion claims the new processors boost both the performance and the battery life of the ruggedised tablets, which both sport a 10.4in TFT touchscreen. Battery life is typically 4.5 hours, according to Motion, although both slates have hot-swappable battery bays that mean a remote worker can keep running all day with two battery packs.

The addition of Intel's vPro technology also allows IT departments to support tablets being used remotely in the field and lock down data stored on stolen or lost devices.

Motion includes a stylus with both models, claiming that the finger-only operation of consumer tablets such as the iPad isn't yet suitable for the business environment. Businesses still require the finesse of pen operation for applications such as signature capture, drawing and annotating documents, according to Nigel Owens, vice president of worldwide sales at Motion.

One traditionally consumer feature that has made its way into the tablets, however, is front-facing cameras, with Owens claiming that businesses are increasingly turning to video conferencing with remote workers.

An optional smartcard reader is also introduced for the first time on the C5v, following a direct request from IT departments in the NHS, according to Owens.

The tablets will be available immediately from Motion resellers.