The new PaceBlade D220

On 16.7.2007 the specialists of The Tablet Store received the latest step in the evolution of fully equipped mobile computer available on the market – the Tablet PC Slimbook D220.

Switch-on, boot-up and see what happens; approximately 20 seconds and the start-up screen was up - a very impressive beginning. On the other hand this also could have been expected, as the D220 of PaceBlade is equipped with the latest and fastest processor within the category of Slate Tablet PCs. The work is performed by an Intel Core Duo L2500 1,83 GHz, 667 MHz FSB, 32 KB/32KB L1 Cache, 2 MB Shared L2 Cache. Equipped with 1GB RAM in combination with other nice features it leads to an excellent performance. However, here we don’t want to go into too many technical details - these can be found at www.tabletstore.com under Tablet PC Slate, Manufacturer PaceBlade for those who are interested.

A noticeable feature is the finger-print reader which one was long awaited on the PacBlade TabletPCs. Several other buttons are located to the left and right of the display and there is a new switch at the top side which cannot be found on the 100-series.; yes, finally Bluetooth has been integrated in the device. A nice idea is that WLAN and Bluetooth can be switched off using the hardware; this saves electricity when the functions are not required.

Of particular interest is the top button on the right side of the display which when pressed, results in a good audible beep and changes the operation between the proven WACOM Digitizer input by means of pin, and the touch function and finger operation - an ingenious feature, which one would not like to miss after 14 days of use. By the way this technology was already included in the PaceBook from PaceBlade in 2003.

In order just to close a window, or start a program, call up mails, etc, the pen does no longer need to be taken out of the device, but you can use your own finger – the perfect solution! The specialist from Tablet PC can imagine many uses for this feature particularly in the area of navigation in any kind of vehicle.

The general impression of the chassis is one of very high-quality, everything is well finished and the new design, of the Slimbook D220, with its black, rubberized surface is very attractive and practical as it allows a firm grip and lessons the danger of the device slipping out of the hands.

Unfortunately, the pen, which is housed in the bottom left hand corner of the chassis, appears rather cheap and is relatively difficult to extract; it is however equipped with a clip, loop eye and an erasure function on the back.

All ports are well placed around the chassis and easily accessible. Closer inspection reveals an eSATA interface; yes, you read correctly, one can hang an external hard disk directly to the SATA bus thus avoiding USB 2.0 bottleneck. Data backup is thus a pleasure and does not enforce a coffee break even if we like our coffee.

After the manufacturer’s image is stored on the external hard disk, performance testing can start: laboratory tests are not really our specialty; therefore resource intensive game demos are installed of course not for our own enjoyment but to test different factors in the everyday life of such a computer. Surely, this Tablet PC is not the state of the art for gamers but these are ideal to test the battery endurance, quality of display and the proper processing of the WACOM technology as would a normal user requirements it must be said that they run amazingly well on the Slimbook D220.

The accuracy of the calibrations also shows whether the technology was built in such way that one can work comfortably with the Tablet PC. Naturally not only games were tested, but also office applications, databases web applications, warehouse applications, etc, programs from the typical work areas of a Tablet PC. Also the new JeppView 3,5 of Jeppesen, with its large data bases of maps was tested, because the dual function of input is most suitable for pilots. Only the display size of 12,1" has a direct impact on the choice. The device is a little larger than a DIN A 4 memo pad.

Results of this test:

The battery lasts approximately 2 hours under the conditions of real time adventure, or using PowerPoint with video and diagram animations, or with the Flitedeck of JeppView 3,5 in the use with the USB GPS mouse. A value which is realistic and does not need to hide itself, however for the quoted battery capacity clearly not enough. Here we believe that the manufacturer will need to improve, as this is too short for the professional usage. An additional external battery which can be attached directly to the device would be perfect.

The display is satisfactory, but not outstanding in the representation. If more brightness is required one has to be careful with the controls otherwise one ends up with what looks like a water painting. Looks great, the green idyll as water color, but for real working somewhat too blurred. Here we are curious, as to how the quality will be with the new serial display and the SR (Sunny Readabel) display.

However, the calibration of the digitizers and the touchscreens is outstanding. Once setup one can work very precisely with the pen, both in portrait- and landscape format. Switching is achieved by the push of a button, unfortunately only in two formats. Viewing through 360 degrees is very in demand nowadays especially with presentations for several persons. Surely a little change which the manufacturer will incorporate?

The weight of the device is noteworthy; not heavy, but noticeably more than we used to with the Slimbook 100 series A look inside shows where the additional weight comes form; the smallest available hard disk has 160GB storage capacity as standard. That says it all, one can nearly do without the external eSATA connection, at least when not doing a data backup.

The fan works well, but rarely, which is surprising as the device hardly gets warm. One would expect to hear the fan announces when it activates even though this is very quiet.

The suggestions for improvements which could be made are not significant but worth mentioning even though they do not diminish from the success of the device in achieving its.

In summary; our impression is that with the new Slimbook D220, PaceBlade has introduced a high quality device on the market with very good performance, which also offers many smart little functions which all in all make it a Slate Tablet PC for the benefit of the user. The Slimbook D220 is a genuine power machine, which will reach its performance boundaries rarely if at all. Thus an acquisition with buffer, for the coming software generations, if we think of MS Vista and the new Office variants.

If one considers that this equipment has other areas of use than conventional Notebooks, the manufacturer reacted well to the wishes of its customers and chosen the components wisely.
The new 200er series of PaceBlade with all its variants (a choice of operating systems is available - Windows XP Tablet PC edition or Microsoft Vista Ultimate) and the rich offer of accessories can be seen at www.thetabletstore.com. There among other things pure Touch variants and the more favorable Celeron 1,06 are on offer.

The Tablet Store GmbH
Muehlthaler Str. 91b
81475 Munich, Germany

www.thetabletstore.de
info[at]thetabletstore.de

Fone: +49 (0) 89-552 999 0
Fax: +49 (0) 89-552 999 10

Who is The Tablet Store!

Launched in January 2005, The Tablet Store is Europes biggest Tablet PC spezialist.

For the first time the customer finds Hardware and Software at one single point.

The Tablet Store covers the manifold possibilities of solutions for Tablet PC. The customer gets a complete solution from a single source.

Jörg Mörke, Managing Director: To offer a comprehensive accomplishment these days, you need to specialize. This motivates us to do what we can do best – finding solutions.

With the tool Tablet PC and a pragmatic attitude to work we aim to create the solutions which our customer wants. Our demand to offer solutions at source to our customers ensures a widely ranged network of resources, partner companies and experienced staff.

Are you contend to work “snail pace”?

This is the question TTS GmbH raises and they can confirm to their customers an increase in efficiency of their business processes via the Tablet PC.

We can assure you of a reduction of paper consumption and an increase in another very important field: I.e. time

This release was published on openPR.