Symbol Announces New MC50 Pocket PCs

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.symbol.com/products/mobile_computers/MC50/MC50.html' target='_blank'>http://www.symbol.com/products/mobi.../MC50/MC50.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The MC50 enterprise device is ideal for mobile professionals who are not working at a desk or stationary location and need real-time access to people and information while they are on the move. Equipped with integrated wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) connectivity and data capture options, including 1D and 2D bar code scanning and image capture or one megapixel color camera configurations, the MC50 is designed for in-facility, real-time communication, data capture and VoIP telephony, enabling decision making at the point of activity."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20041020-MC50.jpg" /><br /><br />The units look quite versatile, with a 520MHz processor, WM2003 (not SE?), 64MB of RAM/64MB of ROM, support for barcode scanning, and, most importantly, it supports a 3' drop onto tiles over concrete. ;)

[brianchris]

Is it just me, or does the non-keyboard model of these look like it have Call and Hang-up buttons? Are these phone edition devices?

[CiscoKid]

I'm a Symbol partner in Canada...no they're not Phone Edition...it's designed for VoIP apps.

[sylvangale]

From Symbol data sheet on Voice... only VOIP,


Internal Voice Communication:

Integrated Voice-over-IP ready (P2P, PBX, PTT)
Wi-Fi™-certified, IEEE 802.11b direct sequence wireless LAN

[Darius Wey]

The units look quite versatile, with a 520MHz processor, WM2003 (not SE?), 64MB of RAM/64MB of ROM, support for barcode scanning, and, most importantly, it supports a 3' drop onto tiles over concrete. Wink

The exclusion of WM2003SE seems a little odd to say the least. It's hard to find newly released devices without the new OS. However, with that aside, the inclusion of Wi-Fi, and an integrated camera is nice, and it certainly is "rugged" enough for those that have a tendency to play frisbee with their Pocket PCs.

However, I still don't know if the missing SE would deter some users from the device. Personally, if I were to purchase a new device now, one of my priorities would be WM2003SE.

[freitasm]

The units look quite versatile, with a 520MHz processor, WM2003 (not SE?), 64MB of RAM/64MB of ROM, support for barcode scanning, and, most importantly, it supports a 3' drop onto tiles over concrete. Wink

The exclusion of WM2003SE seems a little odd to say the least. It's hard to find newly released devices without the new OS. However, with that aside, the inclusion of Wi-Fi, and an integrated camera is nice, and it certainly is "rugged" enough for those that have a tendency to play frisbee with their Pocket PCs.

The original post Engadget links to is on Geekzone (http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=3557). The specs on the Press Release (http://www.symbol.com/news/pressreleases/launching_enterprise-cl_comput.html) diverge from the specs on the main page of their site, and they do say WM2003 SE on this document.

[Darius Wey]

The original post Engadget links to is on Geekzone (http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=3557). The specs on the Press Release (http://www.symbol.com/news/pressreleases/launching_enterprise-cl_comput.html) diverge from the specs on the main page of their site, and they do say WM2003 SE on this document.

Much better. :)

Thanks for the heads-up! ;)

[powder2000]

These things looks awesome. Rugged and, to me, not much bigger than other ppcs on the market. They are also priced more competitive than past rugged models. I can't wait to see if some used ones show up on ebay in a year.

[thunderck]

Symbol reps tell me that a Carrier wireless solution is in the works as well. So those call and hang-up buttons may have a more diverse use in the future. I bet this devices will do VIOP and auto switch between Carrier and WLAN, when the time comes. Just having VOIP is still nice because in Distribution Center workers carry Walky-Talkies, for example, if they used the Symbol handheld they could use all their apps and talk wirelessly. Less stuff to buy. 8)

[freitasm]

Got an e-mail confirmation from Symbol saying that their website will be rectified and they're indeed using WM2003SE.

[harryllee]

did anyone get the price? why do thety make it so hard to find? it's gotta be pushing a grand.

[Darius Wey]

did anyone get the price? why do thety make it so hard to find? it's gotta be pushing a grand.

You're close! ;)

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1680420,00.asp

$925 for the standard model, but push it to at least $1050 for the barcode scanner models. 8O