TabletKiosk dual-digitizer eo UMPCs & entry-level Tablet PC debut

TabletKiosk is one of those names we've not heard for a while, but the touchscreen-centric firm is back with three new Intel Atom based slates.  The TabletKiosk eo a7330D UMPC and eo TufTab a7230XD are both 7-inch ultraportables with dual-type active/passive digitizers, meaning you can use either your finger or a more accurate stylus, while the Sahara NetSlate a230T is a 12.1-inch entry-level Tablet PC.

Both of the UMPCs use Intel's Atom Z530 1.6GHz processor, paired with 1GB of RAM, an 80GB 1.8-inch hard-drive, WiFi a/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR.  Options include SSDs and an integrated 3G/3.5G WWAN modem.  The eo a7330D also has GPS and dual hot-swappable batteries, and can be outfitted with various USB-based expansion modules for barcode scanning or credit card swiping.  As for the eo TufTab a7230XD, that's rated IP54 and surpasses MIL-SPEC-810F specifications for ruggedness, and comes with an integrated 2-megapixel autofocus camera, integrated RFID reader, gigabit ethernet, barcode scanner and an RS-232 serial port.

Finally, the TabletKiosk Sahara NetSlate a230T uses Intel's Atom N270 1.6GHz processor with up to 2GB of RAM, a choice of 120GB hard-drive or SSD, WiFi a/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and an optional 3.5G WWAN module.  It's also backward compatible with Sahara Slate PC i400 series accessories, such as docking stations and cases.

Both of the TabletKiosk eo UMPCs are available for preorder now, priced from $1,495 for the a7330D and from $2,195 for the TufTab a7230XD.  Meanwhile the Sahara NetSlate a230T is shipping now, priced from $1,395.

Press Release:

TabletKiosk® Expands its Tablet PC Product Line with a Trio of New Systems Based on the Intel® Atom™ Processor

IDF: San Francisco, CA, September 22, 2009 —TabletKiosk®, a leading provider of mobile business computing solutions, today introduced three new systems powered by Intel® Atom™ Processors: the 7-inch eo™ a7330D Ultra-Mobile PC, the 7-inch eo TufTab® a7230XD Rugged Ultra-Mobile PC and the 12.1-inch Sahara NetSlate™ a230T touch screen Tablet PC.

This new generation of slate-style tablets is built for the Enterprise marketplace, and includes a number of new and innovative features designed specifically to deliver improved productivity and value to professionals working in the office or out in the field.

eo™ a7330D Ultra-Mobile PC

This newest member of TabletKiosk's family of eo Ultra-Mobile PCs is the first 7-inch tablet to feature an auto-switching dual mode active digitizer / resistive touch screen panel developed by Wacom®, the pioneering leader in pen technology. Business professionals in hospitality, home automation and industrial control systems are also excited about other features of the eo a7330D including its dual, hot swappable battery packs; integrated wireless connectivity; a "fit-in-your-hand" design; and a revolutionary new modular expansion system. By attaching one of the interchangeable expansion modules, the functionality of the device can be customized for specific business applications including scanning bar codes, swiping credit cards and even connecting to enhanced 3G/3.5G wireless wide area networks. Based on high-speed USB Bus technology, the modules are hot swappable and can be removed or switched out without powering down the system.

"We designed the new eo a7330D in response to the industry-specific challenges which we felt were not being met by the current crop of 7-inch devices," said Martin Smekal, president of TabletKiosk. "Instead of pushing a one-size-fits-all device that must be paired with external attachments, cords and dongles, the new eo a7330D with its modular expansion system can be easily and cleanly customized to perform specific business functions, thus providing seamless integration with industry standard applications."

eo a7330D is powered by the Intel® Atom™ Z530P processor and comes standard with 1.0 GB RAM, 1.8" 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.

eo TufTab® a7230XD Rugged Ultra-Mobile PC

The new eo TufTab a7230XD is a rugged Ultra-Mobile PC that surpasses MIL-SPEC-810F specifications and is rated IP54 to provide 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 revolutionary device is ably suited for outdoor fieldwork, data collection, warehousing, mobile point of sale and other work functions which 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, 2.0Mpixel Still/Video camera with auto focus, dual hot swappable batteries, integrated RFID reader, built-in 1D/2D barcode scanner, 1.0Gb Ethernet, RS-232 Serial port, Bluetooth® 2.1+EDR, and TPM v1.2. Built-in 3G/3.5G WWAN module is optional.

Sahara NetSlate™ a230T

The latest addition to the Sahara Slate PC® line of 12.1-inch slate-style Tablet PCs is the Sahara NetSlate a230T. This new, entry-level touch screen tablet is more affordable option 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.

Because continuity is an important value when integrating a new client solution into an existing business installation, the Sahara NetSlate is fully compatible with all accessories created for the Sahara Slate PC i400 series, including the docking cradle, VESA mounting plates, batteries and carrying cases.

"The Intel® Atom™ processor is a great low power design perfectly suited for bringing the Internet to small devices, from MIDs and netbooks to tablets and smartphones," said Pankaj Kedia, director of global ecosystem programs in Intel's Ultra Mobility group. "The Atom™ processor is helping to accelerate hundreds of innovative designs, like the new eo Ultra-Mobile PCs and Sahara NetSlate products that TabletKiosk is announcing today."

Because today's business applications vary greatly in their requirements, all three devices come preinstalled with a choice of Microsoft® Windows Vista® Business, Windows® XP Embedded or openSUSE™ Linux 11. All three systems qualify for a FREE downgrade to Windows® XP Professional (or Tablet PC Edition for the two eo UMPCs). In addition, all three also qualify for a FREE upgrade to Windows® 7 Professional if purchased with Windows Vista® on or before January 31, 2010.

Pricing and Availability

eo™ a7330D can be pre-ordered now and will start shipping the beginning of October.

eo TufTab® a7230XD can be pre-ordered now and will begin shipping the third week of October.

Sahara NetSlate™ a230T is available now.

For pricing and additional details, please visit www.tabletkiosk.com or contact your Authorized TabletKiosk Dealer.