ViewSonic's Tablet PCs Do The Write Thing

The V1100 market appeals to end users whose applications accept handwritten input and subsequently transfer it to electronic data, such as the health-care industry. The new V1250S convertible design is suited for those applications, as well as corporate applications such as word processing or spreadsheets that accept input from a keyboard. The V1250S weighs 3.9 pounds and measures 10.9 inches x 9.3 inches x 1 inch. It is slightly smaller than the V1100.

The V1250S is based on the 1GHz Pentium M processor and includes 512 Mbytes of memory, which is expandable to 2 Gbytes. It also includes a 30-Gbyte hard drive. The unit has a 12.1-inch TFT LCD display with automatic brightness adjustment and wide viewing angle. Native resolution is 1,024 x 768 in landscape mode and 768 x 1,024 in portrait mode. The screen is hard-coated.

These specifications represent a major improvement over the V1100 tablet. The V1100 is based on an 866MHz Pentium III processor with 256 Mbytes of memory, which is expandable to 768 Mbytes. It includes a 20-Gbyte hard drive and has a 10.4-inch TFT display. These two tablets offer many opportunities for solution providers that develop tablet PC-specific applications or sell into specific vertical markets. The health-care industry, for instance, was an early adopter of the tablet PC, and the device has become a must-have for many health-care officials. In some health-care institutions, the tablet PC is no longer a luxury device but a necessity for doctors and nurses who need to quickly access medical information.

The convertible design of the V1250S offers users more flexibility. Like the V1100, the V1250S includes a CompactFlash slot, one PC Cardbus Type II slot, and one FireWire port. Rubber caps along the side of the unit hide a 10/100 Ethernet port, a modem port and a VGA or video output port. Headphone and microphone jacks, a second USB port and a video output port are also included but are not protected by rubber caps. In contrast, the V1100 covered the 10/100 Ethernet port, a modem port, headphone and microphone jacks, and a second USB port and video output port with a long rubber strip for protection.

Both tablets include integrated 802.11b Wi-Fi LAN connectivity. The wireless feature presents ample opportunities for solution providers to sell the tablet into educational markets, since many school districts and universities are exploring the tablet PC market. Some high schools and colleges have banned the dissection of animals in class and are turning their students to the Web as an alternative means of completing science lab requirements. These tablets are providing a means to accomplish that goal.

CRN Test Center engineers found the V1250S performed admirably, and the stylus worked well, too. Many smart devices that use a stylus require extensive precision to execute a specific command, but that was not the case with the V1250S.

The tablet does not include a software DVD player. Test Center engineers had to download a compatible decoder to play a DVD. The machine also did not include any burner software, and while burning to a CD is possible, integrated CD read-write features were definitely missed.

ViewSonic does offer an external DVD/CD-RW slim drive as a bundled option. The bundle also includes a docking station with an integrated battery charger, a spare battery and a spare stylus. Solution providers can offer their customers the unit by itself for $1,849 or as a bundled solution for $2,225.

ViewSonic's single-level ViewSonic on Top partner program is open to all solution providers. The program offers demo-unit pricing, in-person and online training at a dedicated PartnerView Web site, spiffs, other sales incentives and training and special discounts for the public sector. Toll-free support is available 24x7, with a dedicated VIP line for solution providers. The company did not disclose average margin information.
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>Tablet PC V1250S

COMPANY: ViewSonic Corp.
Walnut, Calif.
(800) 888-8583
www.viewsonic.com
DISTRIBUTORS: Synnex, Ingram Micro, TechData, MD Logic/Dell
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