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DAP Technologies M8940

DAP adds PXA300/Windows CE 6.0 powered rugged tablet with optically enhanced 6.5-inch display and QWERTY keyboard/numeric keypad
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

On January 24, 2011, DAP Technologies introduced the M8940 mobile tablet. According to DAP, the voice-ready and keyboard-equipped M8940 and its full-screen M8940 sibling model are "the first tablets to incorporate breakthrough display technology that delivers maximum viewability in bright sunlight along with the portability, modularity and extreme ruggedness that warehouse, field service and trucking operators need to secure maximum value from their technology investment."

A bit of background here: the M8930 and M8940 are evolutions of tablet form factors that DAP has been using and perfecting for several years. DAP's original CE8640 (half screen plus keyboard) and CE8800 (full screen) models first spawned updated Windows Embedded Standard versions of those two form factors. Those were originally known as the Kinysis 8900KS ("half" screen plus keyboard) and 8900VS (full screen), but were then renamed M8910 and M8920.

The CE8640 (see our full review) and CE8800 were then renamed M8640 and M8800, both running Windows CE 5.0 Professional on Marvell PXA270 processors, and for now they remain in the DAP lineup, though the new M8930 and M8940 now appear to replace them with newer versions of Windows CE running on more powerful processors. If that all sounds a bit confusing, it is, but sometimes that's inevitable when a company is overhauling its product lineup.

Anyway, just to make sure it's understood what, as of early 2011, each of those tablets is, here goes:

  • M8800 — "full-screen" 7-inch 270-nits 800 x 480 pixel tablet running Windows CE 5.0 Professional on a 520MHz Marvell PXA270 processor

  • M8640 — "half-screen" 6.5-inch 350-nits 800 x 300 pixel tablet with QWERTY and numeric keypad, running Windows CE 5.0 Professional on a 520MHz Marvell PXA270 processor

  • M8910 — "full-screen" 7-inch 450-nits 800 x 480 pixel tablet running Windows Embedded Standard on a 500MHz Geode LX800 processor

  • M8920 — "half-screen" 6.5-inch 350-nits 800 x 300 pixel tablet with QWERTY and numeric keypad, running Windows Embedded Standard on a 500MHz Geode LX800 processor

  • M8930 — "full-screen" 7-inch 450-nits 800 x 480 pixel tablet running Windows CE 6.0 Professional on a 624MHz Marvell PXA300 processor

  • M8940 — "half-screen" 6.5-inch 350-nits 800 x 300 pixel tablet with QWERTY and numeric keypad, running Windows CE 6.0 Professional on a 624MHz Marvell PXA300 processor
As is, the new M8930 and M8940 tablets both measure 9 x 7.3 x 2.3 inches and weigh in at just 2.9 pounds (M8930) and 3.1 pounds (M8940).

Like all DAP handhelds, these latest tablets are ultra-rugged and highly configurable. With an operating temperature range of -4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, they can be deployed just about anywhere, including commercial freezers and desert climates. Sealing is at the IP67 level, where the "6" stands for total protection against dust intrusion, and the "7" means it is waterproof (including total immersion to a depth of one meter). The drop spec is listed as "multiple 1-meter drops to concrete," which would be a bit less than that full 4-foot drop spec of all of the existing versions.

As far as configuration goes, the new units can be equipped with the "DAP Universal Camera" (3mp autofocus with flash, zoom and video), a short-range 1D laser scanner, SiRFstarIII GPS and GPRS/GSM style 3G WWAN. There's also Summit 802.11b/g WiFi and Class II Bluetooth Version 2.0. An SD Card expansion slot can handle up to 16GB, and there's a multi-I/O interface for both USB and RS232 serial. The unit can also be paired with an external, long-range scanner.

With the M8930 and M8940, DAP Technologies offers the current version of WIndows CE and a technology update including a more powerful processor in two time-tested and eminently practical form factors. Whether a job benefits from the larger display of the M8930 with its programmable onscreen function keys, or from the combination of a smaller display and a full QWERTY keyboard and numeric keypad that the M8940 offers, DAP has a solution, and those solutions are now based on the latest available technology.

Specifications
Added/updated Added 01/2011
Form-factor Portable Windows CE 6.0 tablet
CPU Speed Marvell PXA300, 624MHz
OS Windows CE 6.0 Professional
RAM 128MB DDRAM
ROM 512MB high-speed solid state drive
Card slots SDHC Card (up to 16GB)
Display type Indoor/outdoor-viewable, hardened LCD
Display size/res 6.5 WVGA (800 x 300 pixels; 350 nits backlight)
Digitizer/pens Passive touch screen for stylus or finger operation
Keyboard/keys On-screen
Navigation 64-key alpha-numeric QWERTY keypad, dedicated function keys, and independent numeric keypad
Housing plastic/metal
Operating Temp -4 to 122F (-20 to 50C)
Sealing IP67 (3.3 foot immersion)
Shock 1-meter drop to concrete
Regulatory FCC Class B, CE, RoHS, WEE, Laser safety A21CFR1040.10, IEC/EN 60825-1
Size (WxHxD) 9.0 x 7.3 x 2.3
Weight 3.1 lbs. with battery pack
Power Primary internal 7.4V/2600 mAH Li-Ion, secondary 7.4V/2,400mAH Li-Ion for total of 37 watt-hours
Interface DAP Universal 3MP camera with auto-focus/flash/video, 1D laser scanner, multi-I/O interface (USB, RS232), audio in/out, USB host, dock (RS232, USB client, Ethernet)
Wireless Summit 802.11 b/g WiFi, GPRS/GSM 3G, Bluetooth Class II V2.0 + EDR, SiRFstarIII GPS
List price inquire
Contact DAP M8940 page
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