November/December 1995
Pen Lab Review
Motorola Forte
Mighty pen computer with tightly integrated wireless capabilities.
When Motorola decides to enter a market, they don't mess around. After years
of listening to customers and eighteen months of product development, Motorola
is ready to release the Forté CommPad, a rugged 486-based pen computer
with tightly integrated wireless communications capabilities. Designed to
satisfy the highly demanding requirements of public safety officials, field
service technicians, and public utility workers, the four-pound Forté
is one of the most outstanding examples of intelligent, functional design
we've seen.
Under the hood
The Forté CommPad is based on a 3.3v Intel SL Enhanced 486SX-25 processor
running Microsoft Windows for Pen Computing. The unit has 8MB of RAM and
8MB of Flash RAM storage on the motherboard. The Flash RAM is addressed
as drive C: and serves as the main storage for the unit, though storage
is expandable via the unit's two stacked PCMCIA Type II slots or single
Type III slot. The Forté uses a 7.4" transflective LCD monochrome
screen with VGA resolution, with very bright CCFL backlighting. The excellent
screen is coupled with a electromagnetic digitizer with a resolution of
1200 dpi utilizing a battery powered spring-tipped pen. The Forté's
display quality and pen performance is as good as it gets: brightly readable
in any lighting conditions, quick to respond, and easy to write on with
a nice paper-like feel. A nice feature for busy workers is the light sensor
that automatically adjusts the contrast as needed for optimum readability.
The built-in speaker and microphone opens the door for mixed voice and data
communications capabilities to come.
The unit uses standard Duracell DR-30 NiMh cells instead of a proprietary
design, giving between 3 and 8 hours of life depending on radio usage. The
batteries can be hot-swapped without shutting down the unit. The integrated
three watt wireless data modem uses Motorola's well established MDC-4800
protocol or the more interesting RD-LAP protocol to connect to the Motorola's
dedicated data networks at 9.6 or 19.2kbps. Future plans include support
for public networks such as Motorola's ARDIS, CDPD, and RAM as well as Motorola's
new digital platforms in development for integrated data and voice communications.
There is also an optical port in the back of the unit which will initially
sport an IrDA-compliant infrared transceiver. Future units will use this
space for an optional laser barcode scanner for use in reading vehicle ID
numbers, driver's licenses, part numbers, etc.
Go aheadp;drop it
Housed in a stout and attractive 9.75" x 7.91" x 2" plastic
casing with thick rubber overmolding on the corners, the Forté is
designed to operate in the harshest field environments. In addition to meeting
the usual MIL standards for ruggedness, the unit also meets Factory Mutual
intrinsic safety standards. Intrinsic safety refers to a device's resistance
to sparking if crushed or accidentally opened, and is usually required in
environments where flammable or explosive gases are present. For example,
all FM division 2 devices must have locking doors and panels that can be
opened only with a tool of some kind. The Forté conforms to this
requirement; even the PC Card slots are kept closed with a lock screw. The
Forté can operate without data loss after the requisite four foot
drop to concrete. Motorola's product manager casually invited me to hurl
the unit across the room into a stone fireplace if I wanted to, convincing
me that they mean business!
Power saving features are particularly well implemented in the Forté.
The unit has several power saving modes optimized for users who need constant
wireless radio receive capability. The Forté can be suspended of
all computing operation while the radio stays on. An incoming message wakes
the unit instantly, as will a simple tap on the screen with the pen. The
CPU cycles down to a lower speed the instant the pen is lifted from the
screen, and reactivates in a millisecond. A handy, collapsible floating
control panel for power features is always available at a tap, and can be
used to control other aspects of operation as well. The control panel was
designed for Motorola by ART, who also provided the handwriting recognition
engine. (Motorola is still evaluating the Lexicus cursive recognizer, and
may offer it as an option on the shipping units.)
Bright, curvaceous, and nice to hold
Motorola's design department has done a superb job on the Forté.
Though the unit is certainly a handful, it is balanced and quite comfortable
to hold in either hand using the straps on the back panel. Also available
is a nifty carrying harness that flips open for easy use, with the strap
cleverly designed to allow the Forté to rest securely on the user's
hip. The soft blue-green case color along with the organic, curvaceous design
makes the Forté very attractive, even inviting. This is industrial
design of the first order. As to performance, the bright and responsive
display, 486 processor, and Flash RAM storage combined to give the Forté
a very snappy feel in all computing operations.
Options
In keeping with its intended mission, a vehicle docking station is available
for the Forté to provide battery charging for two batteries, a mounted
keyboard, and a connection to the vehicle's higher gain antenna for greater
range. The same docking connector pins on the back of the Forté can
used to attach the pocket-size battery charger/port expander. Thus connected,
an external PS/2 compatible keyboard may be used, along with an external
serial device through a DB-9 connector.
The Forté CommPad is a unique combination of computing power and
superior wireless communications in a lightweight, rugged, handheld package.
Sure to be a welcome partner for any field worker requiring a lot of wireless
performance in a tough case, the Forté CommPad is a winner in every
category. The Forté will be sold through Motorola's direct sales
force.
/For more information: Motorola 800-247-2346; outside the US 708-576-3107.
Pen Computing Issue #7