Motion LS800 Tablet PC: a first look
Published: 11 Jul 2005
About the size of a paperback book and weighing 1kg, the slate-style LS800 Tablet PC from Motion Computing occupies the grey area between a Pocket PC handheld and an ultraportable notebook. Like the Sony VAIO VGN-U50, the Motion LS800 runs a full version of Windows XP. But unlike the VAIO VGN-U50, the LS800 runs Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, so you can navigate menus and take handwritten notes with a stylus.
With a 1.2GHz ultra-low-voltage Pentium M 753 processor and hard drive capacities ranging from 20GB to 60GB, this tablet promises the power of an ultraportable notebook in an even more portable case. Employees in the field can stay in touch with the home office using the Motion LS800's many communication options, including Bluetooth, Ethernet and integrated 802.11b/g Wi-Fi. Companies can keep their data safe with the latest security measures, such as a fingerprint reader and Trusted Platform Module. Back at the office, the Motion LS800 can connect to a range of peripherals via VGA and two USB 2.0 ports, headphone and microphone jacks, and a docking connector.
The Motion LS800's compact case is an advantage for portability, but its 8.4in. screen isn't as comfortable for handwriting as a full-size slate tablet's. The tablet's £1,095 price tag isn't for amateurs, and the MobileDock docking station, which makes the LS800 suitable for desktop use, adds £119 to the overall price. At that price point, you could buy a Pocket PC as well as a desktop system with which to synchronise it.
With its highly portable case and its high price tag, the Motion LS800 is most likely to appeal to workers in the medical, manufacturing and utilities industries -- or any specialised field that requires employees to fill out forms, take handwritten notes and send data back to a central office. Still, its small dimensions and full Windows XP functionality will certainly catch the eye of gadget enthusiasts and other everyday users with special needs. We look forward to evaluating it in more detail, and will post a full review soon.
Did you find this article useful?
42 out of 109 people found this useful
New Products
iPhone 3G S: a first look
Apple's third-generation iPhone will be available on 19 June. Here are the highlights from its unveiling at the WWDC 2009 keynote.
Dell Adamo: a first look
Dell's much-anticipated Adamo, a high-end 'luxury' notebook, has finally been announced. Here's a hands-on look at a pre-production version.
Palm Pre: a first look
Palm's new Pre smartphone and WebOS operating system have caused a stir at CES. Here are some first impressions of a platform that could revive the company's fortunes.
Apple MacBook Pro: a first look
Apple's 15in. MacBook Pro has received a design overhaul and now includes the unibody chassis built from a single piece of aluminium, a multi-touch glass trackpad, a new black screen bezel and black keys.
Enterprise Smartphones Special Report Special Report
Nokia E63
Review Although it's missing some features (chiefly HSDPA and GPS), Nokia's E63 is a well-thought-out, ergonomic and affordable smartphone.
Review Acer DX900
Review HTC S740 on Orange
The Right Mouse for the Job
It seems to me that the computer mouse is often almost an afterthought, or even gets no thought at all, when configuring or setting up a computer. In many cases (I might even go so... More
Apple patents point to haptics, finger...
Three patent applications made by Apple were published on Thursday, covering technologies including haptics, fingerprint recognition and RFID. The haptic feedback patent, if approved,... More
WiFi vs. Mobile Broadband (HSPA)
I have to say first that I am mildly surprised to be writing this. I'm sitting in Starbucks, where I came to spend an hour drinking coffee and using their public WiFi access before... More
