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Intermec CN3 Mobile Computer

Compact rugged PDA with thumb-type keyboard
(by Kirk Linsky)

Note: On December 10, 2012, Intermec announced that it will be acquired by Honeywell. [See Intermec press release]

Designed to meet the needs of mobile workers in mission-critical transportation, logistics, and field service applications, the Intermec CN3 is a modern, ruggedized handheld computer that combines several functions. It is a conventional PDA, but can also be, depending on options, a scanner, digital camera, phone, and data communications device. Built to survive fairly severe punishment, the CN3 remains fairly small and handy, with a footprint of 3.2 x 6.3 inches, a thickness of 1.1 inches, and a weight of just under one pound.

The CN3 comes with integrated Bluetooth 2.0 an can be ordered with 802.11b/g WiFi and an integrated 1D/2D area imager that supports omnidirectional 1D, 2D, composite and postal decoding as well as signature capture. Customers can also order the CN3 with a GPS receiver with integrated antenna, a 2.0 megapixel digital camera, and either GSM/GPRS/EDGE or CDMA/1xRTT/EV-DO wireless WAN.

The CN3 is available with either a thumb-type QWERTY keyboard or a numeric keypaad, both backlit. Among other accessories are a vehicle dock, single or quad docks that can support LAN, and a magnetic stripe reader.

The device runs Windows Mobile 5.0 on the 520MHz version of the Marvell PXA270 processor, has 128MB of RAM and 256MB of Flash ROMM, a miniSD slot for memory expansion, and 1 3.5-inch 240 x 320 pixel transflective display (full VGA would have been nice).

Also available is the CN3e version that has an enlarged numeric 10-Key or Phone Style backlit keypad for mobile in-field applications that demand intensive key-based data entry.

Overall, the Intermec CN3 allows mobile workers to switch from carrying a number of devices, such as a cellphone, GPS unit, notebook, digital camera, or scanner, and replace them with just one.

Update September 10, 2008: Intermec announced that the CN3 now uses Windows Mobile 6.1 that offers a variety of improvements and advanced features including enhanced virtual memory, increased application speed, faster boot-up and an improved user interface with increased performance and stability.

Specifications Intermec CN3
Added/changed Added 04/2007; updated 02/2008, 05/2008, 12/2010, 01/2011
Form-factor Rugged PDA
CPU Speed Marvell PXA270/520 MHz
OS Windows Mobile 5.0
RAM/ROM 128MB/256MB
Card slots 1 miniSD
Display type Transflective TFT
Display size/res 3.5"/240 x 320
Digitizer/pens touch/1
Keyboard/keys QWERTY or Numeric backlit keypad
Navigation onscreen and directional control
Housing plastic/metal
Operating Temp -4 to 140F (originally 14 to 122F)
Sealing IP64 (originally IP54)
Shock 26 6-foot drops (originally 26 5-foot drops)
Size (WxHxD) 3.2 x 6.3 x 1.1
Weight 14-16 oz.
Power 3.7V, 2,200 standard or 4,000 extended mAH Li-Ion
Interface USB 1.1 host and client, RS232 via vehicle dock, LAN via desktop dock; 1D/2D Area Imager, 2.0mp camera
Wireless Bluetooth 2.0; Options: GPS, 802.11b/g, GSM/GPRS/EDGE or CDMA/1xRTT/EV-DO
List price inquire
Contact www.intermec.com
Windows Mobile Info
  • Windows Phone 7
  • Windows Mobile 6.5
  • Windows Mobile 6
  • Windows CE 6.0
  • Windows Mobile 5
  • Windows CE 5.0
  • Windows Mobile Smartphone
  • Windows Mobile 2003
  • Windows CE .Net
  • Windows for Pocket PC 2002
  • Pocket PC intro 2000
  • Windows CE H/PC Pro 1998
  • Windows CE 2.0 1997
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