Motion Computing Takes the Tablet PC to the Next Level Motion Computing on Wednesday unveiled the LE1600, a slim tablet PC that builds on the company's earlier M-series tablets. The new LE1600 packages the latest Intel (Nasdaq: INTC - news) mobile processor, longer battery-life management and a more durable design than earlier versions. Given the specs, the new tablet PC from Mobile Computing likely will be a contender in the tablet space, which has been heating up over the past six months, particularly with new software from Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT - news) and with smaller OEMs entering the scene to provide cutting-edge, ruggedized tablets for mobile professionals. "Globally, we're seeing tablet PC market growth strengthen substantially," said Roger Kay, vice president of client computing at IDC. "IDC's research anticipates that tablet PC shipments in 2005 will increase 84 percent over their 2004 level, and we expect growth in 2006 to be sustained at 86 percent over the 2005 level," said Kay. The clipboard-sized Motion LE1600 Tablet PC weighs 3.1 pounds, which is about a quarter-pound lighter and a quarter-inch thinner than Motion's M1400. The new tablet runs Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 and is built to order per customer specification. In addition, the LE1600 includes 512 MB of upgradeable 400-MHz DDRII memory and a 30-GB hard drive, upgradeable to 60 GB. The hard drive is a shock-mounted, 1.8-inch design. With the LE1600's two batteries -- one included and one optional -- users can achieve up to a work day of computing time without having to recharge. The standard battery provides three hours of use, but an optional extended battery attaches against the back of the LE1600, maintaining even distribution of weight and balance. When used in tandem, the two batteries are hot-swappable and can provide up to eight hours of computing time -- more than double the battery life of the company's earlier M1400. The Motion LE1600 includes proprietary "speak anywhere" technology, which gives the tablet the ability to switch between two of three microphones automatically -- depending on screen orientation -- for high-fidelity voice and sound input. The new tablet PC also offers a DVI port for output to high-resolution flat-panel monitors and projectors. The Motion LE1600 is available from Motion's resellers or at the company's Web site for US$2,199.