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Motion Computing Launches Industry's Smallest, Lightest High-Performance Tablet PC

Category-defining Motion LS800 Offers Powerful Computing Experience in a Compact, Durable Design

ANNOUNCEMENT HIGHLIGHTS:

  AUSTIN, Texas, July 7, 2005 – Motion Computing®, a leader in ultramobile computing and wireless communications, today unveiled the LS800, the most compact tablet PC available running Microsoft® Windows® XP Tablet PC Edition 2005. The new slate tablet PC, approximately the size of a paperback book, is small enough to slip into a lab coat pocket or attach to a tool belt and is optimal for highly mobile professionals in industries including van sales and service, manufacturing and healthcare. The LS800 slate tablet PC provides enhanced connectivity and security features, ergonomics and durability for uncompromised productivity.

Approximately half the size of most slate tablet PCs, the LS800 has an 8.4-inch display, is less than 1 inch thick and weighs 1kg. The LS800 is among the first tablet PCs with the latest generation of Intel® Centrino™ mobile technology, including the Intel Pentium® M Processor Ultra Low Voltage 753 (1.2 GHz) and the Mobile Intel® 915GMS Express Chipset.

“Motion received frequent feedback from customers about the need for a lightweight, compact and powerful tablet PC. With the LS800, we are answering an unmet need for hands-free mobility and productivity across the mobile workforce; raising the bar for the tablet PC market. Motion is defining a new category of tablet PC with this ultra-portable slate,” said Scott Eckert, Motion Computing’s CEO. “The LS800 complements Motion’s offering of best-in-class tablet PCs and accessories, while extending the company’s leadership to new customers and industries.”

“Tablet PC adoption is continuing to demonstrate steady growth, particularly amongst vertical market buyers, many of whom require smaller form factor slates for targeted applications,” said Leslie Fiering, vice president covering mobile computing at Gartner, Inc.  “We anticipate that tablet PC shipments will double by 2008.” 

Compact Mobile Computing Performance Without Compromise

The LS800 upgrades to 512MB of 400MHz DDRII memory and a 60GB 1.8” hard drive. The tablet delivers the complete Microsoft Windows XP tablet PC experience, with an 8.4-inch display and ample real estate for working with Microsoft Office 2003 and Windows XP-compatible applications.

“Motion has demonstrated a penchant for product innovation that continues with the LS800,” said Dr. Bill Mitchell, Corporate Vice President at Microsoft Corp.  “This first-of-its-kind, small-form-factor tablet PC really sets the pace for powerful, ultra-personal Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 machines and ushers in a new era of truly mobile computing experience.”

To maximise computing performance on the go, the LS800’s slim, standard battery offers up to three hours of continuous use. Additional batteries are warm-swappable when the unit is placed in standby mode, allowing users to change batteries without fully powering down or rebooting. The ultra-portable tablet’s SVGA display provides a 120-degree viewing angle, and optional View Anywhere™ display technology allows for high-quality display clarity and visibility at nearly all angles indoors and outdoors. View Anywhere gives users a 10-to-1 reduction in sunlight reflection compared to standard tablet PC displays.  

Additional innovations, features and options include:

Advanced, proprietary Speak Anywhere™ technology, featuring dual-array microphones for high-fidelity voice input, background noise cancellation, and accurate voice recognition for speech-to-text transcription

 “For more than two years, all of our mobile computing needs have been met with Motion’s products,” said Mark Watson, Susquehanna Health System corporate information technology administrative director. “Motion’s tablets are proven effective, so we’re sold on integrating the new Motion LS800. As a Siemens National Showcase Account, Susquehanna doctors and nurses will use these lightweight and powerful tablets for every application related to clinical, financial, diagnostic and administrative processes in support of patient-centred care.”

Advanced Durability and Security Protects Data and Technology Investments

To maximise productivity without sacrificing durability or security, the LS800 is housed in a carbon-fibre chassis and metalised paint. It has a 1.8-inch hard drive for greater prevention of data loss with twice the shock resistance of a 2.5-inch hard drive. Motion applied its award-winning industrial design concepts to yield a slate tablet that is durable and suitable for diverse work environments – from the hospital to the warehouse to in-vehicle use. Back in the office, the LS800 can be converted quickly from a slate to a small-footprint desktop system, by using the optional MobileDock in combination with an external monitor and keyboard.

The LS800’s advanced security capabilities help protect user, network and enterprise data. An embedded Trusted Platform Module (TPM) enables hardware-protected encryption, as well as digital certificate storage for authentication and secure e-mail applications. A built-in fingerprint reader uses biometric data to prevent unauthorised access to system resources and encrypted data. The LS800 also features the Motion Security Centre for quick access to the tablet PC’s authentication, password and encryption applications. Users can disable 802.11, Bluetooth and IrDA at the BIOS level for additional data safeguarding.

The LS800 is the latest product offering from Motion, which in May 2005 announced the LE1600 – the company’s flagship full-sized slate tablet PC.  A wide range of complementary peripherals are available, including the MobileDock, USB and Bluetooth keyboards, ergonomic digitiser pens and cases. The LS800 and LE1600 share L-Series peripherals, including a battery charger, keyboards, power supply and ergonomic digitiser pen. The LS800 comes with a one-year limited warranty – extendable to two or three years. The LS800 is available from Motion’s worldwide network of more than 700 value-added resellers for £1,095 exclusive of VAT. 

About Motion Computing

Motion Computing produces slate tablet PCs for mobile professionals in vertical industries including healthcare, field sales and service, government and education. Motion is a mobile computing and wireless communications leader, combining world-class innovation and industry experience so individuals can use computing technology in new ways and places. Marketed through an experienced international reseller network, each Motion product is built to customer specifications. The company’s enhanced line of tablet PCs and accessories are designed to increase productivity for on-the-go users while providing security, power and versatility. For more information, visit www.motioncomputing.co.uk

Motion Computing, Motion, View Anywhere and Speak Anywhere are trademarks or registered trademarks of Motion Computing, Inc, in the United States and other countries.

Intel, Intel Centrino and Pentium are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.

All other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners.