DT Research announced a seven-inch tablet that runs Linux or Windows on a 1.6GHz Atom Z530 processor. The ruggedized DT372 has up to 2GB of RAM and 64GB of SSD (solid state disk) storage, a resistive touchscreen with 1024 x 600 pixels, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, plus options including an encrypted PIN pad and a three-track MSR (magnetic stripe reader), the company says.

Like the Windows-only Viliv X70 announced last week, DT Research's new DT372 is a seven-inch tablet device that might once have received the MID (mobile internet device) or UMPC (ultra-mobile PC) monikers vendors now shun. While the seven-inch format is common among Android tablets, and is found on Linux and WindowsCE tablets as well, the DT372 and Viliv X70 are the first to offer Windows 7 on this form-factor. The DT372 is no Apple iPad wannabee, featuring the same spiky corners found on previous DT Research tablets, along with a touchscreen that's resistive rather than capacitive.

DT Research's DT372

DT Research says customers for its device — which meets IP45 standards for resistance to water and dust, plus the MIL-STD-810G standard for enduring vibration and shock — may well be wearing gloves. Hence the choice of touchscreen technology. Pitched at inventory/warehousing, manufacturing, and healthcare applications, the DT372 is also intended as a point of sale (POS) device, as its introduction at this week's National Retail Federation (NRF) show in New York underlines.

Key for POS applications is the available PIN pad pictured at right, which hangs from the back of the device and is claimed to be the only one available for any mobile tablet. Employed with the similarly available MSR, the keypad allows credit or debit cards to be scanned wherever a customer is, and ensures that all data is transferred to collection servers using PCI-certified encryption, DT Research says.

According to DT Research, other available options for the DT372 include an RFID reader (HF 13.56MHz), a smart card reader, a 1D/2D barcode scanner, and a two megapixel camera. An optional 3G module uses a Qualcomm Gobi 2000 chipset to support GSM or CDMA cellular networks and, like the other add-ons, is integrated into the tablet, lessening the chance of damage or theft, the company adds.

Basic DT372 functionality includes a 1024 x 600 pixel display that can be had in an "outdoor-viewable" version, plus a 1.6GHz Atom Z530 processor that's used to run Linux, Windows 7, Windows Embedded Standard 7, Windows XP, or Windows XP Embedded. The tablet comes with 1GB or 2GB of RAM, plus 32GB or 64GB of SSD storage, according to DT Research.

Features and specifications listed by DT Research for the DT372 include:

• Processor — Intel Z530 clocked at 1.6GHz
• Chipset — Intel SCH US15W
• Memory — 1GB or 2GB of RAM
• Storage — 32GB or 64GB SSD
• Display — 7-inch screen with resistive touch and 1024 x 600 pixel resolution
• Camera — 2 megapixel (optional)
• Keys — 1 power button, 5 front buttons, 1 trigger button
• Networking:
  • WLAN — 802.11a/b/g/n
  • PAN — Bluetooth 2.1
  • WWAN — GSM or CDMA cellular via Gobi 2000 module (optional)
• Other wireless options:
  • 1D/2D barcode scanner (optional)
  • RFID reader (optional)
  • smart card reader (optional)
• Other I/O:
  • magnetic stripe reader (optional)
  • PIN pad (optional)
  • 1 x USB 2.0
  • audio — mic in and headphone out
• Power — 3700mAh battery (life n/s)
• Operating range — 32 to 104 deg. F (0 to 40 deg. C)
• Dimensions — 9.3 x 7.4 x 1.6 inches
• Weight — 2.43 pounds

Further information

According to DT Research, which did not mention pricing, the DT372 (along with the encrypted MSR and PIN pad options) will be available during the second quarter, and may be viewed this week at NRF booth #2640. More information may be found on the DT372 product page.

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