These days, reviewing a new mobile computer is almost like reporting on Oprah Winfrey's latest weight loss episode: every new model seems thinner and slimmer than the last (of course, unless Oprah, computers rarely ever gain their weight back). However, unlike those spindly, malnourished waifs who look like they might pass out any minute, this new generation of ultra slimline slates packs a punch. With the possible exception of battery life, the thin new tablets outperform their larger, heavier predecessors on every front.

Japanese heritage
But let's start with a bit of history. Those who feel that a slender beauty like the 6642 looks a bit out of place in Intermec's lineup of blue collar, no nonsense workhorse type of mobile computers and terminals have a point. It does.

That's because it wasn't conceived in a small town in the American Midwest but by engineers at Sharp in Japan. And just like the 6632 before it, and the 6622 before that, it was designed with the needs of the Japanese market in mind. And its real name is "Copernicus." Unbeknownst to many, pen computers flourished in Japan when they were laughed at here in the United States, and as a result, Japanese companies gained quite a bit of experience making excellent pen tablets. The earlier Copernicus models were competent computers sporting bright TFTs when US companies still told their customers that was impossible. They also had integrated numerical keypads for easier data entry, Li-Ion battery packs for longer battery life, and other good ideas and technological advances years before they became available in the US market. Much to Norand's credit, the company had the vision to sign a deal with Sharp and offer the Copernicus as part of the Pen*Key lineup. Considering that the Copernicus appealed to an entirely different market than Norand's traditional clientele, and that the likes of Fujitsu Personal Systems already had a very focused marketing and distribution system for their Stylistics in place, the Cedar Rapids company probably didn't expect too much. We don't know how many Pen*Key 6622s and 6632s were sold, but the company obviously believed in the potential of a different kind of Pen*Key computer, one that could open new markets. The 6642 may very well be that machine.

Going where no pen slate has gone before
Just months after Fujitsu Personal Systems introduced their slim, elegant, and powerful Stylistic LT, the new Pen*Key 6642 meets the LT's specs and actually goes beyond the LT. While its footprint of 10.4 x 6.7 inches is a tad larger than the LT's 9.6 x 6.3 inches, the 6642 is only 0.7 inches thick, significantly slimmer than the Stylistic LT's comparatively bulky 1.1 inches. We're talking palm-size PC territory here. Yet, this slender package is powered by a 266MHz Intel Celeron processor, comes standard with 32MB of RAM (expandable to 128MB), has a cavernous 4.3GB hard disk, a built-in 56K V.90 modem, USB and video-out ports, a PC Card slot, and the Copernicus-trademark integrated 21-key keypad for quicker data entry. A tremendous accomplishment. Those who were fortunate enough to have held one of Mitsubishi's initial AMiTY SP tablets in their hands know the feeling of awe over finding so much computing power in an impossible small and elegant package. About the only thing that hasn't changed compared to earlier, thicker Copernici is the 8.4-inch color 800x600 TFT screen. There was no need. Sharp is a worldwide leader in LCD technology, and the 6642's screen in razor-sharp, rock-solid, and features rich, deep colors.

As mentioned above, one area where slimness has its price is in the battery department. Sharp's engineers somehow managed to shoehorn a 1.7Ah Li-Ion pack into the 6642, but that's hardly a match for the power consumption of a bright screen big disk, and that power-hungry Intel chip. Expect around two hours (and a trip to the service department when the battery dies-it is not user changeable). However, if you're willing to put up with a bit of added bulk on the 6642's rear, you can have up to six hours by piggy-backing an optional 3.4Ah expansion pack. And speaking of expansion, Intermec also offers a combination floppy disk/port expander that has full size serial and parallel ports and a PS/2 connector. Another challenge for such a compact, slim design is heat dissipation. That's not a problem for the RISC processors driving Windows CE handhelds, but it is for the 6642's Intel Celeron. As a result, the unit can get pretty warm, even when the internal fan is running.

It goes without saying that the slender 6642 isn't nearly as rugged as Norand's other Pen*Keys. It isn't meant to be. Like FPSI's Stylistics, this is a decision support system that's durably built but more at home in an office or a trailer than in a truck. There is, however, a thermo-formed lightweight ruggedized case that allows rougher handling.

How does the 6642 work as a pen computer? That depends on your preferences. The passive touch screen is responsive, but, like all passive digitizers, doesn't offer cursor tracking. You have to tap the screen the get the cursor to go to a certain place, and you have to use a little utility applet to emulate a right mouse click. The 6642's speedy processor and graphics subsystem, however, keep up with pen movements no matter how fast you go. There is never any skipping at all. The 6642 ships with CIC's acclaimed trainable Handwriter handwriting recognition system. Intermec also chose to include CIC's PenX pen extensions. The combo works quite well if you give it a chance. Personally, I'd also like to see CIC's Jot character recognizer.

Our review unit came with a demo of "Virtual Cooler," one of Intermec's route management software systems. Written entirely in VisualBASIC, it's a great demonstration of how well-designed pen-centric applications can make a field worker's life easier. The demo also showcased the 6642's excellent audio subsystem and true color screen. Heck, what could be easier than to click on actual photos of products rather than looking up numeric data records? And you can even entice customers to place additional orders by showing them slick video clips. The integrated keypad helps making data entry quick and easy. The keypad can also be reconfigured very easily so that it works best with any given application. The supplied stylus, on the other hand, is too small for my taste. It'd be more at home in a Palm device. No big deal. Most serious 6642 users will probably get one of those terrific aftermarket Pilot Pentopia or Cross pens.

What's in store for the 6642?
Does all of this technological excellence mean that Intermec will soon sell bushels of 6642s? Perhaps. Its combination of light weight, performance, and excellent multimedia capabilities make it well suited for mobile presentations and just about any task where workers need full computing power but can't be weighed down by a the size and bulk of conventional notebook. Intermec also announced docks that will further extend the 6642's usability. Perhaps more than anything, the 6642's future success depends on how successful Intermec's sales force is at selling to markets it traditionally hasn't catered to.

List price for the 6642 is US$3,595, a hefty chunk of change in this era of sub-$1,000 computers, but almost a bargain for markets that have been waiting for a powerful, lightweight pen tablet for a long time.

- Conrad H. Blickenstorfer