14 DAY TRIAL // Intel's Atom processors have made their way into a number of devices since their release back in 2008, despite the fact that these low-power chips were initially designed for entry-level systems. One of the most recent devices to take advantage of the performance and specifications of said processor comes from American Industrial Systems (AIS), which has just announced the introduction of its new low-cost 10.4 rugged tablet PC. The tablet boasts the same features you'd expect from an Atom-based system, but coupled with a few design features that enable it to be used in a series of environments.
Built on Intel's 945GSE + ICH7 chipset combo, the new portable PC system has been featured with the successful Atom N270 processor, running at 1.6GHz. The low-power CPU has been coupled with 2GB of DDR2 memory, a 2.5-inch 80GB hard disk drive, wireless 802.11 b/g and Gigabit LAN connectivity, Bluetooth, GSM/GPRS/CDMA/UMTS/EDGE through PCI Express card, as well as a GPS solution. The system is featured with the usual array of ports, including one LAN, three USB 2.0 ports, VGA, COM, PCI Express slot and Audio out and Mic-in.
Leaving the internal specifications aside for a bit, the AIS Tablet PC stands out from the other Atom-based laptops thanks to a rugged exterior design. The system has been built to meet the specifications of a number of standards, including MIL-STD 810F and IP54, as well as UL 60601-1 for use with medical equipment. The chassis is made out of a rugged aluminum-magnesium alloy with a protective rubber, while the display boasts a sunlight readable option.
Packed with a 6-cell Lithium-Ion battery pack, the AIS 10.4-inch tablet PC isn't the cheapest Atom-based device on the market. In fact, at an MSRP of US$1,499, the system could compete with some of the higher-end portable PCs available today.