new Trimble Yuma tablet computer

[haven]

Trimble just introduced a portable model called the Yuma Rugged Tablet PC. It's a netbook computer with 7 inch sunlight-viewable touchscreen, in a dust proof, shock proof, water proof case. No pricing has been announced, but I'm guessing the Yuma will be expensive.

Here's the company web page http://www.trimble.com/yuma-rugged-tablet.shtml

And here's a blog posting that describes the computer more completely. http://blog.outdoorrugged.com/profiles/blogs/the-new-trimble-yuma

For some reason, Trimble chose to use Vista Business Edition software on this computer. My experience with Vista on netbook hardware has been between "bad" to "impossibly bad." The system will work better when Microsoft releases Windows 7 in April.

The Yuma Rugged PC concept is attractive. This design is better equipped to survive life in an ExPo vehicle than most computers are. The Panasonic Toughbook series is one alternative. Unless your needs are immediate, I think I'd wait for the next generation of netbooks, which will have slightly faster processors, much faster graphics, longer battery life, and Windows 7. Computers with these specifications should appear this Summer.

Chip Haven

 

[TheMike]

I did a quick search and came up empty. Any idea on a price range?

 

[RHINO]

well if we base this on other comparable rugged tablets we will be looking at over $3k, i keep thinking i'll just get me a used samsung Q1 for around $300

 

[fetus]

The Trimble Recon which resembles a large ruggedized PDA is almost 1k. So you can guess from there.

 

[Robthebrit]

Haven, I used a net book with Vista and its bad, first thing you need to do is put it out of its misery and install XP or your favorite flavor of linux.

I pinged some folks I know at trimble regarding the price, I'll post up if I hear anything. I am guessing it'll be expensive but how expensive? Net book performance is typically on the slow side of what and are therefore typically really cheap.

I am going to wait for the Intel Atom (netbook cpu) to mature a little, there are some really nice netbook processors in the pipeline and they should be out by the middle of this year.

Rob

 

[jeepmedic46]

I think it will be definately over 1k.

 

[HDM]

I did a quick search and came up empty. Any idea on a price range?

Per Tripod, MSRP is expected to be around $4,000.

 

[haven]

Robthebrit, I'm using Windows 7 with netbook hardware, and it's a big improvement over both XP and Vista.

There are a couple of Ubuntu variations with simplified interface that I'm curious about. I may try to figure out a dual boot setup so I can give it a try. The next version of Ubuntu is supposed to have specific enhancements for netbook hardware.

Chip Haven