Motion Computing F5v review

The new breed of Tablets might be catching all the headlines, but the concept is nothing new. And much as they might appeal to the average consumer, none of those Android or iOS-powered handhelds would be up to withstanding the rigours of daily use in hospitals, warehouses or out in the field. Motion Computing’s range of ruggedised Tablet PCs, however, are perfectly suited.

It might look like a jumped-up Speak’n’Spell, but the F5v is designed to flourish where other Tablet PCs would fear to tread, and it’s got the hard-knock accreditations to prove it. The chassis is IP54-rated, which means that it’s certified to operate in dusty environments and shrug off liquid splashes from any direction. It also claims to adhere to the US Department of Defense MIL-STD-810G tests, which cover a product’s ability to operate while subjected to vibration, extremes of temperature and other external forces.

Frankly, though, the F5v has always been a pretty tough cookie, and physically it is much the same as ever. The magnesium chassis is covered in a wipe-clean, rubberised finish, and the solid, large handle makes it easy to sling about. And if you’re thinking you’ll need a laptop bag to go with it, think again: its 1.5kg frame feels nigh-on indestructible, and the 10.4in display is protected by a layer of super-tough Gorilla Glass.

Thanks to the recent addition of Intel’s Core i5 and i7 low-voltage processors alongside Intel’s vPro technology, performance leaps ahead of the previous generation. Our review model combined a 1.2GHz Core i7 U640 processor, 2GB of DDR3 memory and a suitably shock-proof 64GB Samsung SSD with great effect. A result of 1.19 in our benchmarks proves there’s plenty enough power for most applications. It’s not just performance that improves, though, and IT departments will appreciate the remote management tools of Intel’s vPro platform.

The F5v relies on a stylus to navigate Microsoft’s Windows 7 Professional, which is less than exciting given the preponderance of multitouch these days. Stylus control makes complete sense given the target markets Motion Computing has in mind, though. Healthcare professionals or field technicians can operate the F5v even while wearing gloves, and it makes it possible to grab the F5v without fear of accidentally closing a program or unwittingly entering data.

The F5v’s stylus control initially feels a touch clunky alongside the likes of Apple’s iPad, but it’s surprisingly easy to get up to speed. Dab the ever-present touch input icon, and you can quickly scribble written notes with Windows 7’s excellent handwriting recognition tool, or just resort to tapping away on the on-screen keyboard. We soon found ourselves zipping through Windows barely any slower than we would with a traditional notebook.

Alternatively, slot the F5v into its matching docking station (a £229 optional extra) and it’s just as happy to be desk-bound. The dock adds three USB ports, Gigabit Ethernet and a VGA display output.

If the dock is pricey, the price of the tablet is even more so, but it soon becomes clear why. The F5v’s 10.4in display is absolutely stunning, for example. It has a mere 1,024 x 768 resolution, but makes up for that by dint of its sheer quality. There’s barely a hint of graininess – a common problem with Tablet PCs – and the combination of stunning brightness, richly saturated colours and super-wide viewing angles mean that it’s usable in any conditions. Its perfect for use out and about.

The F5v leaps yet further ahead of the consumer focused competition due to its sheer versatility. Standard connectivity is limited – there’s just a single USB port hidden behind a splash-proof flap – but wireless connectivity is plentiful, with dual-band 802.11n wireless and Bluetooth included as standard, plus an optional Qualcomm Gobi module for mobile broadband and GPS.

Other stand-out features include the optional front and rear-facing cameras, with the rear-facing 3-megapixel camera partnering with an LED flash for good measure. The F5v comes alive for more specialist applications with the inclusion of an integrated barcode scanner, RFID reader, and the slightly more down-to-earth addition of a fingerprint scanner. That’s not to mention the wide range of optional extras such as vehicle mounts, chargers and magnetic stripe readers.

If there’s one weak point in the F5v’s performance, it’s battery life. Our light usage test saw the F5v’s 4,000mAh battery expire after 4hrs 15mins, and pushed flat out – an admittedly unlikely scenario for a Tablet PC – the F5v’s battery ran flat after 1hr 21mins. Even here Motion Computing has kept the issues to a minimum, though. Buy a second battery (an almost essential extra) and, in a stroke of genius, a modest reserve battery hidden in the F5v’s chassis makes it possible to hot-swap batteries without having to reboot.

Motion Computing’s F5v certainly doesn’t boast universal appeal, but it’s supremely well-built and, crucially, shot through with brilliantly realised features that few, if any, Tablet PCs can emulate. It is chronically expensive, but as a versatile tool for specific, niche applications, it’s a simply stunning piece of hardware.

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