SOL 10” Windows Tablet

http://www.solcomputer.com/sol-tablet-pc.html

I had the opportunity to field test a demo unit provided by SOL Computing.

Specs:

Windows 7 Home Premium SP 1 – 32 bit

Intel Atom N570 1.67 GHz Processor – 4 cores

RAM 2.00 GB

30 GB Hard Drive

Getting GeoLink v 6.4 to function was challenging. After initial installation, GeoLink would crash when a project was open. The crash would happen as the project was resetting the toolbars so it likely was the permissions issue we have been seeing with Windows 7. A. Morris sent me a patch that got it to work. Stay away from ‘Home Premium’ versions of Windows 7. An Android version of this tablet is in the works.

I tested the tablet in the car for 2.5 hours which was how long the battery lasted. For those two hours the tablet screen was running on full brightness and GeoLink was logging. Used a Bluetooth GPS. The software was responsive and screen refreshes were adequate, considering the modest processor and RAM. This demo unit had a finger only digitizer, which was cumbersome.

The screen is manufactured by Pixel Qi (chee) http://pixelqi.com/home and is one of the best at sunlight visibility that I have seen. This demo unit switched to monochrome when in the sunlight; other PixelQi screens maintain colors when in the sun. The screen is relatively modest in its power consumption; the sunlight visibility is possible thru the screens innovative use of ambient rather than backlighting. Currently the largest screens are 10.1”.

Price point on this unit is $1300.

Follow up with Chris Swanner, the CEO of SOL computing – this is the unit he recommends and could be spec’ed to our needs - http://www.redcastleresources.com/cschrader/docs/TABOOK%20product%20specs.pdf

Price around $1700 I am guessing with the upgrades we would need.

Figure 1. Sol Tablet indoor screen visiblity

Figure 2. Sol Tablet outdoor screen visibility.

Figure 3. Sol Tablet outdoor screen visibility – full sunlight

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Figure 4. Sol Tablet outdoor screen visibility – full sunlight